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How to Winterize a Pool: Best Practices

how to winterize a pool

As the winter approaches, it’s time to prepare your pool for the upcoming drop in temperature. Winterizing your pool not only protects it from freezing temperatures but keeps it ready for a spring reopening. Generally, you want to start the winterizing process when the outdoor temperature is consistently below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pool builders in Elk Grove from Pinnacle Pools and Landscape know that pool maintenance doesn’t stop at the end of the swimming season. Below is a basic guide on how to winterize a pool and save money on maintenance costs.

Clean the Pool

One of the most important things to do when preparing a pool for the winter is to clean it thoroughly. If the pool is dirty when you close it, it will quickly go through the sanitizer. As a result, it can be dirtier when you reopen it in the spring than when you first closed it.

To properly clean the pool, remove large debris from the water. Next, brush the various crevices and corners of the pools for a more thorough clean.

Finally, use a pool vacuum to clean out any remaining debris.

Adjust the Pool Chemistry

Maintaining appropriate pool chemistry is vital for maintaining your pool during the winter months. The week before you close your pool, test the water alkalinity levels.

You should aim for the following water chemistry measurements:

  • Alkalinity level: between 80 and 150 ppm (parts per million)
  • pH level: between 7.2 and 7.6
  • Calcium hardness level: between 175 and 225 ppm
  • Chlorine level: between one and three ppm

Lower the Pool's Water Level

If you live in an area with freezing temperatures and don’t have a skimmer cover, you will want to lower the water level.

Lower the water level so that it sits about a foot below a mesh skimmer cover or half a foot below a solid cover.

Winterize Pool Equipment

Part of knowing how to winterize a pool is preparing the pool equipment for colder temperatures. To clean the pool lines, use a blower to clear out water, then plug them into the expansion plugs.

If you live in an area with especially cold winters, you may want to consider using pool antifreeze for the pool lines.

To prepare the filters, pumps, and heaters, drain them completely of pool water. Storing the filters and pumps indoors helps to further protect them during freezing temperatures.

Professional Pool Services in Elk Grove, CA

The Elk Grove pool deck contractors from Pinnacle Pools and Landscape know how to winterize a pool and provide year-round professional maintenance.

Pinnacle Pools and Landscape has experience working with various types of ground pools in Elk Grove, CA. Call us at (916) 299-7872 to learn more about our services.

Author

Founder Terry Neeley comes from a concrete background. Getting into the concrete trade at the age of 19 he started from the bottom as a line pump operator. He knows how to get his hands dirty and lead the best , hardest working team of hardscapers in California! Combine this with, “Best of 2020 Winner” by Aggies List, Home Advisor and HomeGuide.com. Rest assured with a proven track record, Pinnacle Pools and Landscape can meet all of your expectations and more.”

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