With winter around the corner, most pool owners are closing their pool for the season. However, you can leave your pool open all year long, and enjoy it for as long as you want. What you need to know is that pool care and pool maintenance are different in the winter and you need to properly care for your pool, so that the plumbing system is not damaged.
Here are some tips to help you keep your pool open all year long:
Use Solar Blankets to heat the water
Cold weather is what makes most people close up their pools during winter. Keep your water warm so that it doesn’t freeze. Add solar blankets to your pool water. The great thing about solar blankets is that they are affordable and keep heating costs to a minimum. They harness solar energy even during the cold months to warm your water. Although you might not be able to swim in the water, it will not freeze over.
Install a Pool Heater
If you want to take a dip in the water, consider a pool heater. They allow you to extend the swim season. It also prevents the water from freezing. It is important to note that this will substantially increase your energy bill.
Clean the pool
Even when not using the pool, ensure you clean it regularly to keep it free of debris. During autumn and fall the leaves on trees fall, and if you do not clean the pool, the debris could cause damage to your liner and stain your pool. Cleaning your pool during winter will reduce your workload when you want to reuse the pool in summer.
Regularly test your water
Keep the water chemistry balanced during winter. Although it does not have to be as often as during summer, you should keep testing your water chlorine and pH levels to ensure it is balanced. This will prevent bacteria ad algae from forming in your pool.
Run your pump
Keeps the pump running to prevent the water from freezing. Every day run the pump for a few hours so that the water keeps moving. This way it is less likely to freeze.
Install freeze protection
This is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep your pool open all year long. Freeze protection monitors the temperature outside and automatically turns on the pump when it gets too cold. You can also schedule the monitor to run even when you are not home.
Prepare for power failure
Power failure can happen at any time, and you should be prepared if you leave your pool open during winter. In case the power fails, immediately loosen all drain plugs on your heater, filter, and pump. Turn off the circuit breaker on the pools so that when power is restored, it does not turn on and close all pool line valves and open the filter air bleeder. Once power comes back on, replace the plugs, and turn the pump back on.
Keeping a pool open is not for everyone. It takes a lot of work and has an impact on your wallet. However, if you decide not to close your pool this winter, the tips above should help you make the most out of it.