As the months get cooler, there’s much more time for indoor activities. If you’re someone who lives and breathes the holidays, it’s a great and festive time, but swimmers know it means their outdoor swimming adventures must end. As upsetting as it can be, there’s always next year, but only if you care for your pool the right way. There are many requirements, tips, and tricks to keeping your pool protected in the winter, and with our end-of-season checklist, you’ll have what it takes to keep your pool intact for years to come.

When Should I Close the Pool?

As a general rule, close your pool when the water temperature nestles under 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Closing off the pool too early can lead to algae growth (and you lose a few days to enjoy swimming). Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of pool season, so this is a good barometer for when to start checking your pool’s temperature. Pool owners who can afford to close theirs a little later — preferably when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit — lower the risk of major pool problems. 

Test Your Pool Water

It’s important to check your pool’s chemical balance to ensure everything is well and good. Make sure your pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.6, and the alkalinity is between 80 and 150 ppm. Calcium hardness should be between 175 and 275 ppm as well. Testing the water chemistry should be completed about a week before closing the pool to give you room for any changes. 

Clean the Pool

It can be tempting to leave all that dirt and debris in your pool for the later months, but do you really want to open yours up in the spring to old leaves and bacteria? Give your pool a good cleaning by removing algae, vacuuming and cleaning its surface, and wiping down the waterline. Don’t forget to clean out all baskets and use a skimmer to make your job much easier.

Remove the Pool Equipment

Your pool equipment is essential to your fun swimming adventures, so remember to remove the pool equipment. Anything from handrails to ladders should be taken down, and now’s also a good time to remove any equipment surrounding the pool that’s essential to outdoor activities. Check for any of the following equipment:

• Ladders and handrails
• Toys (volleyballs, basketballs, etc.)
• Jet fittings
• Wall fittings
• Safety ropes
• Chlorine floaters
• Hoses
• Any other accessories you purchased

Apply Chemical Treatment to the Pool

Chemically treating the pool helps prevent bacteria from growing in your winter pool. A shock treatment is a dose of chemicals that can help instantly destroy bacteria. Let the water circulate for about four hours. After this, you should treat algae about 24 hours after your chemical shock treatment. Apply an algaecide and run your pump for a full day to fully process the algae. Once these treatments are done, lower your water level to about 4-6 inches below your skimmer (vinyl pools) or below your tile line (plaster pools). 

Clear Out Your Pool Pipes

Freeze damage is common in the winter, as homeowners forget to remove water from pipes, because of the constant fluctuations of NJ winter temperatures. Disconnect any sections of your pump filters or pool pipes and use a shop vac to blow out the piping. Additionally, some pools have anti-freeze solutions you can add, as well as insulation to add a layer of protection. 

Protect Your Pool With Quality Covers

During the winter, freezing cold air, snow, and other elements combine to wreak havoc on your pool. When closing yours up for the season, the last thing you want to do is negate your entire checklist by forgetting to protect the pool with a quality cover. At S&R Pools, we offer in-ground pool cover installations with quality materials that fight off harsh winter weather. Every homeowner should want to maximize their pools’ life, which starts by protecting them when you use them the least. Contact us today to explore our amazing pool covers or learn how to get a premium pool liner replacement in NJ!