As winter approaches, all pool owners should start thinking of how to manage their pools during this time of the year. Leaving the pool open during winter possibly leads to structural damage. Hence, you should strive to safeguard the pool during winter. One popular way to do this is by winterizing your swimming pool. Typically, this means closing the pool during winter. Winterizing enables you to protect the pool from harsh external forces and temperatures.

Moreover, closing the pool assists in keeping the pool free from all debris. In turn, this process keeps the pool from rust; and you won’t have a hard time opening the pool after winter is over. If you reside in Northern Virginia, you know how harsh the weather conditions are during winter. Therefore, always make sure you close the pool during these months. But how do you winterize your swimming pool?

A detailed process of winterizing your swimming pool 

Understand the different types of winterizing

First, you have to know the various types of winterizing. Currently, there are two major types of winterizing; passive and active winterizing. The one you choose depends on your requirements. Let’s look at a detailed understanding of these two types of winterizing the pool.

1. Passive winterizing

The first type of winterizing is passive winterizing. Unlike active winterizing, this process works in areas with harsh winter temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. So, if you are a pool owner, ensure you know your area’s temperatures during winter. This winterizing entails filtering the pool partially and using a suitable cover for protection.

2. Active winterizing

This type of winterizing is ideal where winter conditions are relatively mild. In such cases, the winter temperatures can exceed five degrees Celsius. Here, your pool is not likely to freeze. Active winterizing entails checking on the pool for at least two hours daily. You need to ensure that the pool still has appropriate water levels and that the filtration system is running.

Choose and buy the right equipment

After settling for the winterizing process that works best for you, get the right equipment. Some of the things you’ll need are a pH strip, pool brush, cover, chemicals, and safety garments.

Balance water chemistry

Once you have the most suitable equipment to work with, start by evaluating and balancing your water chemistry. Here, you measure the acidity and alkalinity of the pool using a pH test strip. If you find that your pool has a high pH, balance it by adding muriatic acid. On the other hand, if the pool is too acidic, use sodium bicarbonate to balance it.

Conduct pool shocking

The next step is shocking the pool. Pool shocking is an essential process when winterizing your swimming pool in Northern Virginia. The main purpose of pool shocking is disinfection. Shocking the pool enables you to safeguard the pool against microorganisms and algae. Even so, note that you have to shock the pool at least two days before you close it for winter. Remember, when you shock your pool, chlorine levels go up. So, it would help if you give the pool time to recover its chlorine levels.

Clean pool equipment

After shocking the pool:

1. Focus on all the pool equipment both inside and outside the pool.
2. At this stage, make a point of cleaning the pool vacuum, ladder, skimmer baskets, pool rails, among other equipment.
3. Remember, each piece of equipment or fixture is different.

Therefore, you would have to check the instruction manual on how to wash them. After washing this equipment, let them dry completely.

Lower the water levels

It would be best if you reduce your water levels in the pool before closing the pool. Often, the pool’s water levels should be ten to 15 centimeters lower than the initial water line.

Scrub the pool

Afterward, use a suitable pool brush to clean scrub the swimming pool. Do this thoroughly on all surfaces of the pool. Focus on the corners, among other areas that are hard to reach. This way, you’ll avoid leaving out any section of the pool.

Conduct pool backwashing

Once you finish scrubbing the pool, conduct a backwashing process. Pool backwashing helps you remove any debris and dirt that entangles around the filter. Also, it helps you unclog the filter, hence facilitating thorough filtration. Moreover, remove and clean a cartridge filter; if your pool has one.

Use a pool cover

The last step of winterizing your swimming pool would be to cover the pool for protection. Buy an appropriate winter car cover that will safeguard the pool against freezing and dirt. Generally, covering the pool keeps it safe and free from algae. Moreover, it is also good for safety.

Conclusion

If you are a pool owner in Northern Virginia, always consider winterizing your swimming pool before the start of winter. Doing this enables you to protect your pool from damage. And in turn, it gives you an easy process when opening the pool after winter is over. Luckily, winterizing your swimming pool is a pretty straightforward process that does not require much professionalism or experience. You can always contact crystal Blue Aquatics when it comes to winterizing your pool.