Typical Problems That Go Wrong With Your Pool In Winter

When thoughts turn to care for your backyard swimming pool, chances are good that they’re fixated on the warm summer months and maintaining peak operating condition during the time of the year when you’re actually enjoying it. And that’s definitely a big part of the commitment you take on when deciding to install a swimming pool on your property. I mean, this is the time of the year when your investment is front and center and the family is getting the most out of this valued addition to your property.

But when fall comes and you need to begin the winterizing process for your swimming pool, what you do and how you do it can be just as important as it is during the height of summer.

So be extra careful when it comes to winterizing your swimming pool and make sure that you don’t have any surprises on those frigid January days. Taking some extra precautions now will ensure a smooth transition when it comes time to open your pool for the next season.

If you don’t do things correctly in the fall, there are many issues that can arise at a time of the year when you really don’t want to be dealing with swimming pool repairs.

Problems With The Pool Cover

Your pool cover is extremely important when it comes to maintaining the water quality of your pool during the harsh winter months. So if you have a cover that’s already showing signs of wear, is getting kind of old or is torn or ripped in spots, it’s probably good to go shopping for a new one before winter sets in.

What is a small bit of damage now can become much worse during the harshness of winter, until that small tear, is suddenly a large one and more and more debris is finding its way into your swimming pool.

If your cover fails and collapses into the pool, it’s going to become much more difficult to open your pool in the spring. Extra debris and murky water are not what you want to see when removing your pool cover for the year.

That being said, even pool covers that are in perfect condition when you put them on in the fall can become damaged during the winter. So check on your cover from time to time and ensure that everything is working as it’s supposed to be.

Winter Leaks

Leaks can happen at any time of the year, and that includes the winter months. Most happen either because it’s the worsening of an existing leak that occurred during the summer and went unnoticed or a new leak
that was caused by the freezing temperatures.

But regardless of the reason, water leaks can become huge problems if left unchecked. So it’s in your best interest to check on the pipes frequently, even during the winter, to keep a small problem from becoming a much larger one. If in doubt, you can always call a qualified pool contractor.

On average, it’s a good idea to check your pool at least once or twice a month during the winter and pay attention to any changes in water levels. If a leak is detected, do what you can to maintain the right water levels until you’re able to make repairs.

Also keep in mind that if there is a leak, you’re not only losing water but you’re also losing chemicals. So you’ll want to make sure you add those back into the mix once the leak is fixed, in order to keep your pool water as clear as possible.

Freeze Damage

Many homeowners know all too well the damage that can be caused by freezing temperatures, especially as it relates to your home’s plumbing. But it can also wreak havoc on your backyard swimming pool, as well as your equipment.

Water generally expands when it freezes, which can cause problems if you have water that’s trapped in your pipes, skimmers and other equipment.

Freezing water can also damage the pool itself, as the frozen water can put pressure on the walls of the pool and cause significant damage. With this type of damage, you’ll likely need to contact a professional who specializes in something called pool resurfacing.

To help prevent some of these things from happening, you can use pool antifreeze as extra protection for your pool during the winter.

Other possible fixes include air pillows, which you can put under your pool cover to break up surface ice, collapsible skimmer guards and making sure that your return lines are blown out and plugged up when
you close the pool for the season.