Winter
Swimming Pool Care
Tips & Instructions
Pool closing time is usually a sad time of year.
The weather is getting cold, the leaves are changing color and the
warm memories of summertime fun are fading away. This is not
usually the time of year that people like to think about their
swimming pools, but this is really the most important time of the
year to pay attention to the pool to avoid unnecessary problems
and costly repairs come Springtime.
Now that your pool has been
properly closed, please do not totally forget about it ! With a
minimum of care and maintenance throughout the winter months, your
cover will last longer and your pool will open up with less problems
in the spring. Follow the instructions below for best results.
Please note that all pools are somewhat different and your pool may
need specific care not mentioned here. If you have any doubts
about how to properly close your particular pool, either give us a
call or contact a local pool professional. Remember...better
safe than sorry !
Above Ground Pools
Periodically check your cover cable to make
sure that it is tight. If the cable becomes loose, the cover might
start to slip into the pool. Check your air pillow to make sure that
it still has air in it. If you see it starting to go flat, get
another one and slip it under the cover and blow it up. Remember,
the air pillow is not in the pool to keep rain water off the cover !
It is there to keep your pool walls from splitting if the water in
the pool freezes and expands. It does not matter if the pillow is in
the center of the pool and it does not matter if it is not 100 %
inflated. Pump (or siphon) the rain water off the cover a few times
throughout the winter. Also remove any leaf accumulation that may
occur on the cover. Excess water and leaf weight can cause undue
stress on the cover and could cause the cover to rip or fall in.
Check the water level in the pool every month. A slow leak in the
liner could cause you to lose a lot of water from the pool. If you
notice the water level dropping, simply refill with a hose and keep
it as high as possible to prevent damage to the cover, liner and
walls.
If you notice part of the cover falling into
the pool, pull it up and properly reset it right away to prevent
damage.
Inground Pools with Water
Tube Type Covers
Make sure you replace any water tubes that
break over the winter. It is a good idea to have a few extra tubes
handy so that you can replace them as needed. Remember, the tubes
not only hold the cover on the pool, but also prevent wind from
blowing the cover up. Any areas that are not properly covered with
tubes could cause the cover to fall in or blow up. Do not use
cinder blocks, bricks, flower pots, lawn furniture or other heavy
items to keep your cover in place. If the cover starts to fall
into the pool, it could drag any of those objects into the pool
causing massive damage to the pool cover and/or liner. Pump the rain
water off the cover a few times throughout the winter. Also remove
any leaf accumulation that may occur on the cover. Excess water and
leaf weight can cause undue stress on the cover and could cause the
cover to rip or fall in. Check the water level in the pool every
month. A slow leak in the liner could cause you to lose a lot of
water from the pool. If you notice the water level dropping, simply
refill with a hose and keep it as high as possible to prevent damage
to the cover, liner and walls. If you notice part of the cover
falling into the pool, pull it up and properly reset it right away
to prevent damage.
"Loop
Loc" Mesh - Spring Type Covers
- Tightness: The springs and straps on
your cover will need to be adjusted from time to time,
especially during the first few seasons of use. The cover
material, as well as the straps, will start to stretch as soon
as the cover is initially installed. THIS IS NORMAL. Check cover
periodically over the first few seasons of use, and retighten
the straps as necessary.
- Water Level: The water level in your
pool should be kept at or just below the skimmer when the cover
is in use. However, the water level should not be lower than
18" from the top of the pool. If your water level goes
down further than 18", the cover could stretch out too much
and either rip or cause anchors to pull out of your deck. If you
experience a lot of precipitation over the winter months when
the cover is in use, it is possible that the pool could fill up,
no longer allowing the water from the cover to drain into the
pool. Check pool water level periodically over the winter,
adding or removing water when necessary with your garden hose or
cover pump.
- Water Clarity: Remember, this is a
mesh pool cover. Sunlight and rain water will get through the
cover to the pool water. Most pools covered with this type of
cover will remain clear until April or May, depending on the
weather. It is strongly recommended that you open your pool
early to avoid the green "swampy" water that occurs
when strong sunlight and temperatures over 80 degrees are
present. As a rule of thumb, you should open your pool prior
to May 15 to avoid a green water situation. It is also a
good idea to add 2 or 3 gallons of chlorine shock to the pool in
the beginning of April to ensure good water clarity at opening
time.
"Solid" - Spring
Type Winter Covers
- Tightness: The springs and straps on
your cover will need to be adjusted from time to time,
especially during the first few seasons of use. The cover
material, as well as the straps, will start to stretch as soon
as the cover is initially installed. THIS IS NORMAL. Check cover
periodically over the first few seasons of use, and retighten
the straps as necessary.
- Water Level: The water level in your
pool should be kept at or just below the skimmer when the cover
is in use. The water level should not be lower than 18"
from the top of the pool. If your water level goes down further
than 18", the cover could stretch out too much and either
rip or cause anchors to pull out of your deck. For most
manufacturers of Solid Spring type pool covers, this could void
your warranty ! If you experience a lot of precipitation over
the winter months when the cover is in use, it is possible that
the pool could fill up, no longer allowing the water from the
cover to drain into the pool. Check pool water level
periodically over the winter, adding or removing water when
necessary with your garden hose or cover pump.
- Cover Draining: Although the mesh
center drain panels of your cover will allow rain water to drain
into your pool, they are not designed to drain off every drop
of water from your cover. Because of the way that the cover
straps are situated, some water will puddle in areas of your
cover. THIS IS NORMAL AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THIS FROM
HAPPENING. Do not try to over - tighten the cover straps in an
attempt to get all the cover water to drain into the mesh
panels. It will not work, and you run the risk of over -
stretching the straps and springs. For most manufacturers of
Solid Spring type pool covers, this could void your warranty !
The center mesh drain panels are primarily designed to let most
of the water drain off the cover.
- Mesh Panel: To ensure proper
drainage, make certain the mesh center drain panels are clear of
leaves and debris. Check cover periodically over the winter and
remove debris from panels as it accumulates using a pool leaf
net, vacuum pole or broom. This is especially important for
pools located in heavily wooded or treed areas. If you walk
on the cover to get to the panels, make sure you are not wearing
shoes with spikes or heels, as this could puncture the cover.
Failure to keep the mesh panel free from leaves and debris will
result in improper water drainage from the surface of the pool
cover and will cause too much water weight on the pool cover.
This could cause the cover material, straps and/or hardware to
stretch or break. For most manufacturers of Solid Spring type
pool covers, this could void your warranty !
- Water Clarity: Remember, this cover
has mesh drainage panels. Some sunlight and rain water will get
through the cover to the pool water. Most pools covered with
this type of cover will remain clear until April or May,
depending on the weather. It is strongly recommended that you
open your pool early to avoid the green "swampy" water
that occurs when strong sunlight and temperatures over 80
degrees are present. As a rule of thumb, you should open your
pool prior to May 15 to avoid a green water situation. It is
also a good idea to add 2 or 3 gallons of chlorine shock to the
pool in the beginning of April to ensure good water clarity at
opening time.
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