Learn How To Winterize Your Texas Swimming Pool
During the summer, homeowners make the most of their pools. They host get-togethers with friends, lay out in the sun, and make memories with their children. Because of this, many homeowners do most of their pool maintenance in the summer.
However, pool maintenance is something that lasts year-round. Ignoring your pool in the winter could lead to costly pool repairs when the weather warms up again.
If you’re unsure how to winterize your pool and prepare it for colder temperatures, keep reading! We’ll explore the necessary steps for maintaining your Texas pool below.
When to Begin Winterizing Your Pool
Generally, it’s best to begin winterizing your pool when temperatures drop. However, that can be a vague indicator in Texas. Even in December, average high temperatures remain in the 60s.
Fortunately, there’s another metric you can use to make this decision. Consider using your pool’s water temperature if you’re unsure about when it’s necessary to begin winterizing.
The colder your water’s temperatures become, the more dangerous it becomes to your pool. Frozen pool water can expand and damage your structure.
So, check your pool’s water temperature. You can begin winterizing the pool if these temperatures drop below their usual fall averages.
Steps for Maintaining Your Pool in Winter
Winterization requires more advanced work than simply closing a pool. Closing a pool usually involves covering it. Winterizing it, however, goes more in-depth.
First, conduct a thorough pool cleaning. Remove any leaves, grime, and other contaminants from the walls and water.
Then, you can move on to the winterization process. These are the primary steps for winterizing your pool:
- Turn off your pool equipment and remove any pool accessories
- Balance your water
- Remove water from lines and vessels
If you’re unfamiliar with balancing your water, don’t worry! We’ll discuss how to balance your water in the next section.
Preparing Pool Water for Winter
Fortunately, Woodlands, Texas, rarely receives snowy weather. Likewise, our low temperatures don’t hit freezing that often. Because of that, you won’t need as many chemicals to protect your water during winter.
Instead, you’ll just need some of the following chemicals:
- Chlorine
- Algaecide
- Shock
- Cyanuric acid
Depending on your pH, you also need a pH increaser or decreaser. When unsure about this, collect a pH sample and send it to your local testing facility. These experts can inform you whether your pool has balanced pH levels.
Emptying Water From Your Lines
Emptying water from your pool lines can be tricky. First, you’ll lower your water level by 4-12″ below the skimmer. The exact level depends on the type of cover you’ll use.
Then, you can drain the lines. Alternatively, you can hand pump or scoop water out of your skimmers until they’re close to empty.
Finally, set the multiport valve to recirculate. Then, you can filter the position of slide valves.
Hire Professional Texas Pool Services for Your Pool Maintenance
Winter pool maintenance requires a lot of work. As the holidays draw near, you may wonder how to find the time to do it.
Fortunately, to winterize your Texas swimming pool, you don’t have to do this alone. Instead, you can hire our professional Texas pool services!
We provide home pool-related services, including new custom pools and spas, patio covers, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and pool cleaning and maintenance. Contact Escape pools today to schedule an appointment!
