Learning how to winterize your above ground pool is one of the realities of being a pool owner in Canada. Not only does winterizing your pool protect your equipment from ice damage, but it can make opening your pool in the summer much quicker, which means you can start swimming again sooner. Winterizing can seem a little overwhelming at first, but it gets easier each year as you become more comfortable with the steps. Here are a few important points to keep in mind.

Save Time for an Inspection

As you winterize your pool, take the opportunity to look for any cracks in your pool liner, filter, pump, gauges, fittings, and other equipment. You may be able to patch small cracks on your own, and fixing these issues before closing your pool for the winter can often help to prevent the damage from worsening.

Don’t Forget the Chemicals

It’s true that algae isn’t really a problem during the winter, but that doesn’t mean you should skip adding algaecide and other winterization chemicals. These winterizing chemicals will help to protect your pool as temperatures warm up in the spring, when algae can often grow very quickly before you even open your pool. Remember to balance your pool’s water chemistry at least 24 hours before adding your winterization chemicals. Be sure to run your pool pump for at least an hour after adding the winterization chemicals, which helps them to properly disperse and enhances their effectiveness. In the spring, it’s often a good idea to perform a chemical test before fully opening your pool. This way, you can begin adjusting the chemical balance, so your pool is ready for swimming when you’re ready for your first dip.

Always Drain the Water

Draining your plumbing and equipment is an extremely important step because any water left inside can freeze over the winter, causing costly cracks and damages. Disconnect the hoses from the skimmer and filter, and use a shop vacuum or air compressor to force any remaining water out of the lines. It’s a good idea to add a plug in the line at the wall outlet, which will prevent water from getting into the lines throughout the winter. Most filter systems have a plug at the bottom, which you can remove in order to drain out the water. If possible, it’s ideal to store both the pump and filter inside, where they can be kept warm over the winter.

Protect with Covers

You likely already know that it’s important to cover your pool tightly to keep out rain, snow, debris, and protect your pool water from sunlight. You may also want to add an air pillow under the cover, which reduces the stress on your cover and helps ice to slide off by raising it up slightly. It’s a best to also cover any pool equipment that you’re not able to store inside. Protecting your equipment against freezing winter temperatures can often make a significant difference in increasing its overall lifespan.  Click here for Pool Closing Essentials.   Have a question about how to get your pool ready for winter?  Call us today or contact us here to speak to one of our winterization specialists!