Winterizing your swimming pool in Canada can often seem daunting, especially when selecting the right cover to protect your prized pool from the harshness of winter weather. But don’t worry; Coastal Pools has you covered. This article will guide you through winterizing your pool and help you understand the importance of the right pool cover.
The Importance of Winterizing Your Pool
Winterizing your pool is crucial in maintaining its longevity and ensuring it’s ready for the next swimming season. Properly closing your pool for the winter helps prevent serious damage caused by freezing temperatures, such as cracked pipes and damaged equipment. It also helps maintain the pool’s water chemistry, preventing algae growth and keeping the water clean for the next season.
Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Pool
Step 1: Adjust the Pool Water Level
The first step in winterizing your pool is to adjust the water level. You should lower the water below the skimmer opening for an inground pool. If you have an above-ground pool, lower the water about 4-6 inches below the skimmer.
Step 2: Balance the Pool Water’s Chemistry
Next, you need to balance the pool water’s chemistry. This involves adjusting the pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. Balancing the pool regularly for water chemistry is crucial to prevent corrosion or scale build-up on your pool equipment and surfaces.
Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals
Once the water chemistry is balanced, it’s time to add winterizing chemicals to your pool. Pool closing kits often include these chemicals, which help prevent algae growth and maintain the water’s clarity throughout the winter months.
Step 4: Winterize Your Pool Equipment
The next step is to winterize your pool equipment. This includes the pump, filter, and pool heater. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to drain water from these devices and remove any drain plugs. If you have a salt chlorine generator, remember to switch to the winterized position.
Step 5: Cover Your Pool
The final step in winterizing is to cover your pool with a winter pool cover. This is a crucial step, as the type of cover you choose can significantly impact the protection your pool receives during the winter months.
Choosing the Right Pool Cover
The market offers three primary types of pool winter covers: tarp and water bags, vinyl lock-in covers, and safety covers. Let’s take a closer look at each of these options:
Tarp and Water Bags
A commonly used and economical option is the tarp and water bags system. This cover type includes spreading an expansive tarp over the pool and using water bags to secure it. While these covers are cost-effective and simple to install, they tend to sag into the pool, accumulating leaves and water and proving challenging to remove when spring arrives.
Vinyl Lock-in Covers
Another alternative includes vinyl lock-in covers. These are custom-fitted to the pool and lock into the top rail of the pool. They offer a more secure fit than tarps and can even enhance the aesthetics of your pool during the off-season. However, they require precise fitting and can be susceptible to damage from sharp objects or heavy snow loads.
Safety Covers
The third and most beneficial of the lot are safety covers. These covers are tightly secured over the pool with straps that connect to anchors installed around the pool’s perimeter. The result is a cover providing unparalleled winter protection and safety features.
Safety covers are explicitly designed to prevent accidental submersion, a significant concern for families with children or pets. They’re sturdy enough to support a person’s weight, providing an extra layer of protection that tarp and vinyl covers can’t offer.
Another edge that safety covers have over the others is their exceptional durability. Fabricated from high-quality materials, safety covers are designed to weather harsh winter conditions, ensuring your pool is protected throughout the off-season. This durability makes safety covers a wise long-term investment.
The Mesh99 Edge
Among safety covers, those furnished with Mesh99 technology stand out. Mesh99 safety covers allow rainwater or melted snow to drain completely through the cover, eliminating the need for a cover pump and preventing water from pooling on top. Simultaneously, Mesh99 blocks 99% of sunlight, limiting algae growth in your pool during winter. The result is a cleaner pool when it’s time to uncover in the spring, saving you time and effort in pool maintenance.
Custom Measurements for Any Pool Shape
At Coastal Pools, we appreciate that every pool is unique. We offer custom measurements for any pool shape, ensuring your safety cover fits perfectly and provides optimal protection. Whether your pool is a standard rectangle or a distinctive freeform design, we can create a safety cover that caters to your needs.
A Cost-Efficient Spring Start-Up
One of the additional advantages of safety covers is that they can lead to significant water savings in the spring. Since Mesh99 safety covers allow rain and melted snow to drain into the pool, your pool will be filled with water when you’re ready to start the system again. This eliminates the need to fill your pool with water, saving you time and the cost of extra water.
In conclusion, while tarp and water bags or vinyl lock-in covers can offer basic winter protection for your pool, safety covers, especially those with Mesh99, provide superior protection, longevity, and safety. Custom measurements allow you to be confident in a perfect fit, regardless of your pool’s shape or size.
Choose to protect your pool this winter with a safety cover from Coastal Pools, and revel in the peace of mind that comes with knowing your pool is prepared to provide endless summer fun once the weather warms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I secure my winter cover tightly?
You can use water bags or safety covers to secure your winter cover tightly. Water bags are filled with water and placed around the edge of the cover to hold it down. Safety covers are secured with straps that connect to anchors installed around the pool’s perimeter.
How do I adjust the water level for winterizing my pool?
The water level should be adjusted based on your pool type. The water should be lowered below the skimmer opening for an inground pool. The water should be lowered about 4-6 inches below the skimmer for an above-ground pool.
How do I vacuum my pool before closing it for the winter?
You can vacuum the excess water from your pool using a pool vacuum or a shop vac. Make sure to remove all the debris from the pool before you start the closing process.
What is the role of a sand filter in the pool closing process?
A sand filter plays a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of your pool water. Before closing your pool, backwash the sand filter to remove any trapped debris.
What are safety covers, and why are they important?
Safety covers are a type of pool cover that provides superior protection and safety features. They are tightly secured over the pool with straps that connect to anchors installed around the pool’s perimeter. Safety covers are designed to prevent accidental submersion and are sturdy enough to support a person’s weight.
How do I drain the remaining water from my pool equipment?
You can drain the remaining water from your pool equipment by following the manufacturer’s instructions to remove drain plugs. Make sure to drain the pump, filter, and heater completely.
Preparing Your Pool for Winter in London, Ontario
Winterizing your pool is essential to pool ownership in London, Ontario. The city’s harsh winter weather can take a toll on your pool if it needs to be properly prepared. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively winterize your pool and protect it from potential damage. Remember, the type of cover you choose plays a significant role in this process. While tarp and water bags or vinyl lock-in covers can offer basic protection, safety covers, especially those with Mesh99 technology, provide superior protection, longevity, and safety.
At Coastal Pools, we’re committed to helping the residents of London, Ontario, protect their pools this winter and ensuring they’re ready for endless summer fun once the weather warms. If you require a pool cover, do not hesitate to contact us today.
