Autumn Pool Maintenance: Eight Simple Steps for a Clean and Ready Pool
As summer fades and the cool breeze of autumn arrives, it’s time to shift your focus from swimming in your pool to preparing it for the off-season. Proper pool maintenance during the autumn months is crucial to ensuring your pool stays clean, functional, and damage-free throughout the winter. With the right steps, you’ll be able to reopen your pool in the spring with minimal hassle. Here’s a comprehensive guide to autumn pool maintenance.
Remove Leaves and Debris
Autumn is synonymous with falling leaves, and while they add to the beauty of the season, they can wreak havoc on your pool. If left to accumulate, leaves and debris can clog the skimmer, stain the pool surface, and create an ideal environment for algae growth. To avoid this, regularly skim the surface of your pool using a pool net. If your pool is located near trees, you may want to invest in a leaf catcher or install a pool cover early in the season to reduce the amount of debris that enters the water.
Clean and Balance the Water
Before you close your pool for the colder months, it’s essential to ensure that the water is clean and chemically balanced. Start by vacuuming the pool floor and brushing down the walls to remove any dirt or algae buildup. After cleaning, test the water chemistry to make sure the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels are within the recommended range. Balanced water is essential for pools made with certain materials, for example, mosaic pools. Pay special attention to pH and calcium hardness levels—as unbalanced water can lead to grout erosion or loosening of mosaic tiles.
Shock the Pool
Once your pool is clean and balanced, the next step is to shock it. Pool shocking involves adding a high dose of chlorine or another pool sanitizer to the water to kill any remaining bacteria, algae, or organic contaminants. This step is particularly important before closing the pool because it helps prevent algae blooms and ensures that the water stays clear while the pool is not in use. After shocking, allow the pool pump to circulate the water for a full 24 hours before proceeding to the next steps of winterization.
Lower the Water Level
If you live in a region where temperatures drop below freezing, lowering the pool’s water level is crucial to avoid damage to the skimmer and plumbing. Water expands when it freezes, and if the water level is too high, it can freeze inside the skimmer and plumbing lines, leading to cracks and leaks.
Lower the water level to just below the skimmer and jets. However, don’t completely drain the pool, as this can cause the pool liner to dry out and crack or even cause structural damage to the pool walls.
Winterize the Equipment
After lowering the water level, it’s time to winterize your pool equipment. This involves draining all water from the pump, filter, heater, and any other pool accessories like chlorinators or saltwater systems. For in-ground pools, use a shop vacuum or air compressor to blow out any remaining water from the pipes to prevent freezing. Be sure to also disconnect and store smaller items like ladders, diving boards, and handrails in a dry, sheltered place.
For above-ground pools, remove the hoses and drain the pump and filter system completely. If your filter is a sand filter, set it to the “winter” setting or backwash it thoroughly before winterizing.
Add Winterizing Chemicals
Once the pool is cleaned, balanced, and equipment is prepared for winter, add winterizing chemicals to the water. These chemicals are designed to maintain water quality during the months your pool is closed. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying winterizing chemicals to avoid overuse, which could lead to staining or damage.
Cover the Pool
The final step in autumn pool maintenance is covering your pool. A high-quality winter pool cover is essential to keeping leaves, dirt, and debris out of the water during the off-season. It also helps block sunlight, which prevents algae growth, and reduces water evaporation. Make sure the cover is securely fastened to prevent wind or heavy rain from loosening it. If you have a standard cover, use a pool pillow or air bag underneath the cover to prevent water or snow from accumulating and causing the cover to sag or tear.
Final Inspection and Storage
Before officially closing the pool, take a moment to inspect everything one last time. Ensure the cover is tight and that all equipment has been properly drained and stored. Store any remaining chemicals in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as heat and moisture can degrade their effectiveness. For pools in areas with harsher winters, consider installing a pool cover pump to remove excess water that may collect on the cover during the season. This will prevent stress on the cover and extend its lifespan.
