Getting Ready for Pool Closing

As summer ends in London, Ontario, pool owners often overlook the crucial impact of proper pool closing on their investment. Neglecting this task threatens its longevity and your wallet. Discovering expensive damage like frozen pipes or cracked plaster in spring is an avoidable headache. Beyond financial burdens, there's lost time and safety risks from compromised pools. Poorly closed pools become breeding grounds for algae and bacteria, making reopening a nightmare of intensive cleaning and chemical balancing, not to mention potential structural failures.

The good news is that these anxieties and expenses are entirely preventable. Adopting a proactive and thorough approach to pool closing can safeguard your investment, ensure your family's safety, and guarantee a smooth, hassle-free reopening next spring. Taking the correct, deliberate measures now—from proper winterizing chemicals to meticulous equipment preparation—transforms a potential financial drain into a simple, worry-free transition. This isn't just about completing a chore; it's about innovative seasonal management that protects your pool, saves you money, and allows you to confidently look forward to the next swimming season.

Why Proper Pool Closing Matters

Proper pool closing is vital in a climate like Ontario’s, where harsh winters threaten your pool’s integrity. Freezing temperatures can cause extensive damage to plumbing, equipment, and the pool structure itself. Water in pipes or equipment can freeze and expand, leading to burst pipes, cracked filters, damaged pumps, or structural issues such as liner tears or concrete cracks.

Pool safety is equally important during the winter months. A correctly covered and secured pool prevents accidental child, pet, or wildlife entries. This peace of mind is invaluable for families with young children or curious pets.

Maintaining optimal water quality when closing your pool prevents algae and bacterial growth over winter, significantly reducing the hassle and cost of reopening. Neglecting chemical balance and cleanliness before closing can lead to difficult cleanup, staining, and potentially costly surface damage come springtime.

Essential Steps to Closing Your Pool

Effectively closing your pool requires attention to several essential tasks:

• Balance the water chemistry: Before shutting your pool down, test and adjust your water chemistry. Ensure the pH and calcium hardness are in the recommended ranges, and the chlorine (or other sanitizer) level is appropriate. Balancing the water prevents corrosion or scale build-up over winter. Once balanced, add a chlorine shock to kill bacteria and a winterizing algaecide to prevent algae growth during the cold months. This chemical prep work will protect your pool’s surfaces and make opening in the spring much easier.
  
  
• Clean the pool thoroughly: Debris like leaves, twigs, and insects tend to accumulate as fall arrives, and you don’t want to seal them under your cover all winter. Skim out all leaves and debris from the water's surface. Vacuum the pool floor and brush the walls to remove dirt and prevent any algae spores or stains from setting in. An extra-thorough cleaning now means you won’t have decaying organic matter stewing in your pool for months. Empty the skimmer and pump baskets so they won’t be clogged with debris.
  
  
• Lower the water level and drain equipment: Before winter, lower the pool water below the skimmer/return jets (or decorative tile line) to prevent ice damage; do not completely drain. Drain all water from pool equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, chlorinators) to avoid freezing and cracking. Remove cartridge filters for cleaning/storage, or set sand filters to "winterize" or drain mode.
  
  
• Blow out plumbing lines and add antifreeze:  Winterizing an in-ground pool requires clearing plumbing lines with an air compressor or shop vacuum and then plugging them. Many add non-toxic pool antifreeze as a safeguard. A skimmer gizmo or a plastic bottle in the skimmer well prevents cracking from ice expansion.
  
  
• Safely store pool accessories and equipment: Remove and clean all removable pool accessories (ladders, handrails, diving boards, skimmer baskets, cleaners, toys). Let them dry and store them in a shed or garage to prevent winter damage, rust, and cracking. Turn off the power to all pool equipment and winterize the heater’s fuel line per the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  
• Securely install the pool cover: Cover your pool tightly with a quality winter cover. Whether you have a heavy-duty safety cover anchored into the deck or a standard winter tarp with water bags, ensure it is fitted correctly and secured to prevent it from sagging or blowing off in high winds. A good cover keeps debris out of the pool and is a crucial safety barrier. Check that there are no gaps where a child or pet (or even small wildlife) could slip under. If your cover has rips or weak spots, repair them with a patch kit or consider replacing them. Once the cover is on, your pool is officially “closed” – congratulations (Remember, you may need to pump off excess rain or melted snow from a solid tarp cover periodically to avoid falling under the weight).

Expert Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

As pool landscape design experts in London, Ontario, we’ve seen firsthand how poor closings lead to costly issues, and how proper planning can prevent them. Based on those observations, here are key expert tips and common mistakes to avoid during pool closing:

• Plan your pool closing date wisely: Don’t wait for frost to close your pool. Aim for mid-late September or early October in Southern Ontario when nightly temperatures consistently drop to 15°C/59°F or lower. Early closing avoids the rush, unpredictable fall weather, and frozen pipes. Pool services book weeks ahead, so reserve your spot early.
  
  
• Do not neglect water chemistry before closing: Don't neglect pool chemistry in the final weeks of summer; balancing chemicals a week before closing prevents stubborn algae and damage. Adjust pH and alkalinity, and add closing shock and algaecide. Unbalanced water causes etched surfaces, calcium deposits, and algae growth. Use fresh, quality chemicals.
  
  
• Give the pool a thorough final cleaning: Closing a dirty pool invites spring trouble. Many owners rush, neglecting to clean the water and surfaces. Leftover debris causes staining, algae, or odors. Vacuum, brush walls and floor, and clear all debris before winterizing. Clean skimmer and pump baskets after blowing out lines. This ensures a cleaner opening, extending the pool surface and equipment life.
  
  
• Drain and protect all equipment adequately: Improperly draining pool equipment and plumbing lines is a common mistake. Forgetting a step, like draining the heater or automatic chlorinator, can lead to internal cracking from frozen water. Ensure all equipment is drained per the manufacturer's guidelines. Remove drain plugs. For above-ground pools, detach and drain hoses. When blowing lines, confirm air bubbles from returns and clear skimmer lines, then cap them. Adding pool-safe antifreeze is a wise backup. These precautions prevent costly replacements. If unsure about winterizing specific components, consult your pool service company.

Safety Considerations During Pool Closing

Safety measures during pool closing should be given careful attention. Ensuring your pool cover is secured correctly is crucial for preventing accidents, particularly involving young children or pets. Covers must be regularly checked throughout the winter for signs of wear or damage, and snow and water accumulations must be promptly cleared to prevent collapse or tearing. Inspect fences, gates, and alarms throughout the winter months. Gates should remain locked, and alarms operational, providing layered safety even during the pool’s inactive period. Periodic inspections help catch and rectify any safety issues early, ensuring consistent protection.

If you have the time, don’t forget that closing your pool for the season offers a prime opportunity to identify potential safety concerns that might necessitate renovations or repairs. It's crucial to address persistent leaks, which can worsen in cold weather and lead to significant structural damage. Look out for cracks in the pool structure or a noticeable water loss. Similarly, examine your pool equipment for signs of failure; an outdated pump, heater, or filter could be a safety hazard, prone to mid-winter failure or unexpected issues during spring opening. Addressing these problems before winter prevents further damage and ensures a safer, smoother pool opening next year.

Beyond immediate repairs, the closing period is ideal for planning upgrades that enhance safety and enjoyment. Consider replacing aging vinyl liners or installing modern LED lighting for better visibility. Features like new poolside decking or a safety cover can significantly improve the overall safety of your pool area. By collaborating with a pool professional during this time, you can design and budget for these improvements, potentially completing them in the off-season or early spring. This proactive approach ensures your pool is well-preserved through winter and ready to delight you when it reopens safely.

Pool Closing and Beyond

Proper pool closing is crucial to preserving your investment, ensuring off-season safety, and simplifying your reopening next spring. By taking thorough precautions now, you’ll avoid costly repairs, prevent structural issues, and reduce the effort needed to restart your pool.

While TLC Landscaping Design + Pools does not offer pool closing services, we’re here to help you plan renovations, landscaping upgrades, or safety improvements that can be tackled during the off-season. Reach out to explore design ideas or book a spring consultation.