What type of pool cover is best for winter?
Solid cover will keep debris and water out of your pool. Lightweight makes cover easy to install. Tightly woven 7 x 7 scrim makes cover very durable for harsh winters. Pool experts rarely recommend draining an inground pool because it can cause expensive structural damage. For instance, if the water gets low enough in a vinyl pool, the liner could pop out. An empty concrete or fiberglass pool could crack. Hydrostatic pressure is the reason draining a pool is risky.Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following: Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50% Reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%–60% Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool.To avoid the need for inground pool repair services, leaving the right amount of water in your pool protects the liner from rips, tears, and other damage caused by debris during the off-season.Particularly during periods of heavy rain, groundwater can impose intense pressure on the bottom surface of an empty concrete pool. If you leave a swimming pool devoid of water for over seven days, you risk significant harm because surrounding groundwater will increase hydrostatic stress.
How often should I shock my pool in winter?
Shocking your pool regularly (every 1 to 2 weeks) keeps these contaminants under control and lowers the stress on your filtration and normal sanitization process. These stresses are also present when your pool has been closed for the winter. You may want to shock the pool during winter if: The water temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool is not covered with a winter cover or safety cover that blocks the sun. Your level of combined chlorine (chloramines) is above 0.Typically speaking, you should do a pool shock every couple of weeks during the swimming season. Also, you should do a pool shock when the water tests outside of the recommended free chlorine levels of 1-3 ppm. Chlorine levels are raised by shocking the pool.To shock your pool before closing, you’ll need a chlorine or non-chlorine treatment, depending on your preference. Follow the packet instructions and do this a few days before closing to kill bacteria, algae, and contaminants. Then, run the pump for 24-48 hours to thoroughly circulate the shock.In a small kiddie pool or baby pool without any filtration or chemical treatment, it’s best to change the water every day or at least every three to four days to avoid the buildup of harmful bacteria.When putting your swimming pool in active wintering mode, first use a shock dose of chlorine to kill off residual bacteria and to ensure that the water is as clean as it can be. Then, add the wintering product following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What do you put in a swimming pool for the winter?
The most important chemical is chlorine . Chlorine will kill any bacteria or algae that may be in the pool. You will need to add chlorine, algaecide, and pool shock to the water. You can find these chemicals at your local pool supply store. Be sure to follow the directions on the labels of the products you’re using. Pool chlorine is essential for this and without it, your pool can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Not only does this make the water look murky and unpleasant, but it can also make you ill.Too much chlorine in your pool can cause skin and eye irritation as well as damaging your pool equipment and affecting your water’s pH levels.Yes, chlorine tabs dissolve slowly to release a steady supply of chlorine into your pool water. Without chlorine tablets, your pool can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and algae.If you want a reliable, low-maintenance way to keep a steady level of chlorine in the pool, slow-dissolving 3 tablets are the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quick way to increase chlorine levels on demand, liquid chlorine might be a better option.For the pool owner who wants that instant gratification, liquid chlorine may be the best way to get you back into your pool. But for the pool owner who regularly uses the pool and wants the convenience of not having to perform as much maintenance, tablets may be preferable.
What happens if you don’t cover your pool over the winter?
In some climates, you can close a pool without a cover, but leaving the water exposed leads to debris buildup, algae, and potential damage that make spring opening costly and time-consuming. However, do not completely drain the pool—keeping some water in it helps maintain the pool’s structure and prevents the liner from shrinking or drying out.
What month should you winterize your pool?
Plan on closing a pool for the winter once the temperature is regularly 65 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. You may not be using the pool at this point, but if you close it while temperatures are still warm, you risk allowing algae to grow in the closed pool, creating more work for yourself in the spring. A pool that is uncovered can lose up to 5 degrees F overnight; a good cover can cut that loss by half. Used at night or whenever your pool is not in use, the pool cover can help save fuel costs by cutting heat loss regardless of the type of heating you utilize.Use a Solar Cover for Your Pool One of the most cost-effective heating methods for retaining heat in a swimming pool is installing a solar cover, keeping water up to 10 degrees warmer than with only a heater. The root cause of heat loss in a pool is evaporation.Solar pool covers are made from LDPE (low density polyethylene) and they provide a physical barrier to evaporation that helps to reduce water and chemical loss. They also retain heat which can increase your pool’s water temperature by up to 8°C.If you do not have an appropriate pool heater, There are a variety of options for you to consider. These include gas heaters, solar heaters, and air-source or water-source heat pumps. Additionally, a solar blanket can be used to prevent evaporation and heat loss.So, how long does take for a pool to heat up? You can reasonably estimate that your pool will take between 8-48 hours to raise its temperature by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is assuming you have an average-sized pool of between 15,000-20,000 gallons and live in a moderate climate.