Having your own pool elevates your backyard landscape and your summer fun to the next level! It’s a popular and worthwhile investment; one that needs to be properly cared for in order to maximize lifespan and maintain quality over time.
When it comes time to winterize your pool, it can be tempting to simply throw a cover over the top and vow to clean it when you open up for spring. Without the right preparation though, you run the risk of your pool water succumbing to the freezing temperatures and inflicting costly damage!
What damage can frozen water cause in your pool?
Burst Pipes
Burst pipes are the most serious (and one of the most expensive) potential consequences of letting your pool freeze over. Water left in the pipes and plumbing system of your pool can freeze during the winter. As water freezes, it expands, and the pressure can potentially rupture the pipes.
Cracked Equipment
A lot of essential pool supplies—such as your filter and skimmer—are made of plastic. If these items are left in the water over winter and that water freezes, the expansion can push them against the wall and cause them to crack.
Torn Liner
Small leaks in a vinyl pool liner aren’t a huge deal in the summer, but in the winter, they can cause big problems. Openings in the liner lead to a decrease in water levels. As the water level drops, so does any ice that has formed on the surface, which can tear the liner even further.
Damaged Tiles
Many inground pools nowadays are accented with tiles on the walls. If surface water freezes and expands in the winter, it will put pressure on the tiles that could make them crack.
How can you prevent your pool from freezing?
To keep your pool in ideal working condition year-round, take these steps to get it ready for winter:
- Drain the pipes, using a blower or compressor to blow out the system, and add antifreeze.
- If your pool liner is vinyl, check for leaks and patch any you find before closing for the season.
- Use chlorine, algaecide, and other chemical products to maintain chemical balance in your pool water.
- Lower the water level 1-6 inches below the tile line so if it does freeze, your tiles aren’t damaged.
Sometimes you can take all the right steps to care for your pool and still find it damaged after a harsh winter. Not to worry though—VistaPro Landscape & Design is here to help! In addition to our pool design and installation services, our team is trained in pool repair and rehabilitation.
Give us a call today to get your pool looking as good as new for spring!