Pool damage can get ugly and expensive, but there are many things you can do today to avoid repairs tomorrow.
Here are five ways you can better protect your pool before the damage happens.
1. Drain rain and melted snow
Over the past few weeks, areas of the United States have experienced large snow storms and it’s likely that warmer spring temperatures are just around the corner. So, draining rain and melted snow is extremely important to avoid damage to your pool surfaces.
If you have a vinyl pool, rain or melted know can can get creep behind your liner or damage the bead. Draining water is even more crucial for gunite pools because if water rises to your tile line and refreezes it can crack your tiles or cause them to fall off.
2. Check Your Skimmers
Make sure that your winterization device for your skimmer is holding up. Pool owners can use a variety of different methods to winterize their skimmers – but even if you don’t know which method you used – they all serve one basic purpose and can be troubleshooted in a similar way.
Most skimmer winterization devices are designed to crush under the pressure of the ice instead of cracking the plastic skimmer. If your skimmer winterization device fails, use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to completely drain skimmer. Then, pour a half-gallon of swimming pool antifreeze in your skimmer. Finally, recap the remaining half-gallon of antifreeze and place in your skimmer – and you’re done!
3. Inspect Your Cover
The weight of snow can put a stress on your cover and it’s attachments. If your cover falls in the pool it can open up to a host of problems and best case scenario is that you’ll be cleaning up for weeks in the spring. So, it’s important to visually inspect your pool cover and attachments and double-check any water bags or lawn anchors.
4. Take Care of Your Cover Pump
Using a cover pump is a great way to prevent damage during the winter, but it can also get damaged in freezing temperatures. To keep your cover pump in good shape you only need to do two basic things. First, don’t let it run dry! Cover pumps can handle more heat than most motors, but they also use the water to cool themselves. Letting your cover pump run dry for 15 minutes is no problem, but letting it run dry for 6 hours is not a good idea. Second, bring your cover pump in when you’re done using it. Some pump covers contain switches to sense the water level, but these switches and other sensitive parts can get damaged in freezing temperatures.
5. Don’t Forget Your Water Care
If your pool thaws use your cover pump to circulate the water. Remove your hose and drop it to the bottom of your deep end for a 24-hour cycle. In addition, use an algaecide to help keep your water clean and clear.
Insider Insight Tip:
It’s easy to forget about pool care when it’s cold outside. However, did you know that algae can grow at 60 degrees? So, we recommend that you open your pool when daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees. This might be earlier than you’re used to, but you are more likely to start the swimming season with a cleaner pool free from algae growth. Additionally, pool care in the cool spring months is generally easy and inexpensive. Plus, your home will be ready for that first warm pool day or party!
Learn more about Clear Comfort Technology
Check out our blog here
