Richmond Pool Closing Service

Fall Pool Care: What Goes Into A Pool Closing Service?

Closing a pool for winter requires a multi-step approach that involves treating pool water, as well as the systems that keep it moving. Without technical experiences and resources, it is easy to overlook steps in the closing process. Missing just one aspect of a closing can result in damaged pool equipment, contaminated water, being overrun with algae growth or other issues. When you want to protect your water systems, it is important to view your swimming pool as a series of individual parts all working together.

Filtration System: It is never a good idea to let debris sit in pool systems for any length of time and especially not an entire season. It is important to skim debris from water surfaces, vacuum unwanted items from the bottom of the pool, empty skimmer baskets and check pool filters. Cartridge filters can be removed, cleaned and replaces, while sand filters will need to be emptied and replaced with fresh sand every 5 years or so.

Pool Water: Even if you aren’t swimming in it, pool water plays a huge role in the overall condition of your swim space. Water is more likely to freeze in small amounts. Even if the entire pool is not frozen over, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a small amount of water that can freeze in return lines or around the pump. Dropping the water levels in swimming pools so they fall below jets skimmer lines and winterizing drain plugs reduces the risk of internal freezing. An application of winter chemicals can help to reduce the risk of algae growth.

Pool Equipment & Components: When dealing with an inground pool, it is important to reduce water levels so they fall below the jets and skimmers. This prevents water from seeping inside where it can freeze. Frozen water makes plastic brittle and is known to expand up to 9%, which can cause pipes and plumbing lines to burst. In an above ground pool, installing air or water bags can prevent freezing. Detachable components should also be removed and dried for storage to avoid damage caused by cold weather.

Off-Season Pool Care: Puddle technicians are not only busy during the summer but throughout the fall season and winter as well. Property owners can choose between a full pool closure or a reduced treatment schedule. In the case of a regular pool program, technicians arrive on-scene bi-weekly where they test and balance water chemistry, remove debris and perform visual inspections of vinyl liners and water systems to make sure that everything is functional. This makes opening back up in spring as simple as needing to turn on heaters and hopping on in.