St. Catharines Pool Closing

When the leaves begin to change and temperatures begin to drop it is time to start thinking about closing your pool for the off-season. It is easy to forget about a swimming pool when it is not being used regularly but as time goes on, a small issue will go from bad to worse.

Failing to close your pool properly can mean green water, foul smells, a more difficult opening in spring and a whole lot of unexpected damage. Instead of waiting for a worst-case scenario call a local Puddle Pro. A proper St. Catharines pool closing prevents damage and algae growth, paves the way for an easier opening in spring and gives you peace of mind throughout the off-season. 

Fall Pool Care: What to Know 

The internet is full of tips for fall pool maintenance but not all of these are effective. Instead of trusting a random internet search, have a local Pro guide you on how to best protect your pool for the winter. Our experts are highly trained and experienced in treating pools that are both outside and indoor, as well as inground pools or an above ground pool model. 

Timing is Everything: Traditionally, the best time to close your pool is just after the September long weekend and the best time to open your pool is just before the May long weekend. Relying on dates isn’t always the most effective way to navigate your seasonal pool care. When the average outdoor temperatures reaches 15 degrees, it is time to close down your system to avoid freezing and the damage it causes. 

Avoid Freezing: It takes prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures for large bodies of water, like pools, to freeze over completely. Smaller amounts of water in lines and around pool components will freeze a lot faster than that. Dropping the water level to just below the skimmer line prevents water from entering your system where it can freeze and cause damage. Cold temperatures cause plastic to become brittle and crack while frozen water will expand inside pipes. Frozen water expands up to 9% which might not seem like much but it is enough to cause pipes to burst. Dropping the water lines and winterizing drain plugs prevents water from seeping into sensitive areas where it will cause damage. 

Winterizing Chemicals: Water chemistry is often a top priority at the height of the swim season but as the weather drops and pools are used less frequently, it is easy to forget about  keeping up with chemicals. An application of winterizing chemicals doesn’t only prevent freezing it also prevents algae growth. 

Filters & Pool Equipment: It is a good idea to remove any detachable components so they can be dried and stored over the course of the off-season. Flushing return lines is also a great way to keep unwanted water out of vulnerable areas. This is also an opportune time to install safety covers to keep debris out and prevent accidents or injury for people and pets that might be around the pool area while it is closed. 

Puddle Pool Closing Services: Expert Results Throughout the Niagara Region 

From St. Catharines to Niagara Falls, pools are always up against the elements. When you want to protect your pool throughout the off-season, avoid a DIY disaster by ditching the test kit and calling an expert. Puddle technicians are highly trained, fully insured and have years of industry experience behind us.