Once the weather starts getting chilly, it is time to put away the swimsuits and lounge chairs and get out your cozy sweaters! However, cold weather doesn’t mean that you can start neglecting your pool. If you want your pool to last, there are certain steps you have to take during the off-season to ensure that your pool is ready to go when the weather starts warming back up.

Add winterizing chemicals

Once the weather starts to cool down and you don’t anticipate using your pool anymore, you’re going to want to add a winterizing algaecide to the water. This will help prevent algae from growing in your pool over the winter. After adding algaecide, allow your pump to run for about a day so that the chemical can circulate throughout your pool. Once the winterizing algaecide has time to circulate, you might also want to consider adding chlorine and an enzyme product to help further keep your pool clean during the chilly months And you can find the best pool vacuum based on your needs.

Drain the water from your system

After your winterizing chemicals have had time to circulate, it is time to turn off your pump and disconnect any pipes. Make sure to completely drain your pump, filter, pipes, and any other parts. If water freezes in them, there is a possibility that they could crack. Once you’ve drained the water completely from your system, consider storing your pumps and pipes in a dry place (such as your garage or basement) for the winter. This is also a good time to drain the water level of your pool down past the skimmer.

Cover your pool

Covering your pool with a winter pool cover helps keep your pool clean during the off-season. It also keeps wildlife out of your pool. Dirt, branches, and any other contaminants will land on the cover instead of in your outdoor pool. You’ll want to make sure that the cover is properly fitted. Also, to prevent rain and snow from creating a mini-pool on top of the cover, consider using air pillows to create a slope under the cover. This way, any water will drain off of your pool.

Check the cover regularly

Water and other debris will gather on your cover throughout the off-season. To prevent your cover from getting damaged, make sure to regularly clear off any debris. If you notice water starting to puddle, use a sump pump to drain off the cover. Other common problems you’ll face are cables coming loose and air pillows going flat. Regularly check your cables to make sure they’re tight. If your air pillow goes flat, simply open a small section of your cover so that you can remove the old air pillow and put a new one in.

Hit up sales

The off-season is a great time to look for pool gadgets that you might need for the upcoming season. Many stores will be putting old inventory into clearance to make room for new inventory. This is the ideal time to stock up on lounge chairs, pool floats, towels, and other fun accessories for your pool. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to locate discounted chemicals, affordable pool booster pumps, and other pool necessities. Buying during the off-season can help save you money.

Add chlorine in the spring

About a month or so before you anticipate uncovering your pool, open up a corner of your cover to check on your water. If the pool is starting to turn green, add chlorine and cover it back up. Continue to check on your pool and add chlorine and algaecide as needed.

Uncover when the weather warms up

Once things start to turn warm (but not hot), uncover your pool and get your pump and filters set back up. While the weather isn’t quite right for swimming yet, opening up your pool now allows you to get your system set back up so that you can adjust the chemicals in your pool before people start swimming. If debris falls into your pool while you’re uncovering it, that is okay because once you get your pump back up and running, you’re going to need to shock and vacuum your pool. Shocking your pool will get rid of any bacteria.

Concluding thoughts

Careful maintenance of your pool during the off-season will help keep it as clean as possible so that when the swimming season does come back around, you’ll have a pool of crystal clear water to jump into! If you don’t have time to maintain your pool, consider consulting with a professional pool service company.