Don’t Let Winter Wreck Your Pool Investment: The Ultimate Winterization Checklist for New York Homeowners

As autumn leaves begin to fall across New York and temperatures consistently drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, pool owners face a critical decision that can make or break their investment. Proper pool winterization when temperatures are consistently 65 degrees Fahrenheit or below is essential to protect your pool from the harsh New York winters that lie ahead.

Staying on top of pool maintenance during swim season and then properly winterizing your pool when the weather starts to turn can save you a tremendous amount of time, money and frustration over the lifetime of your backyard swimming pool while protecting your pool from freezing temperatures. For homeowners considering professional pool and patio installations, working with experienced contractors who understand the unique challenges of New York’s climate is crucial – whether you’re looking for pool patio wyandanch services or anywhere else on Long Island.

Essential Pre-Winterization Steps

When it’s time to close your pool, plan to take at least a week to complete the process. This will provide you with enough time to do a thorough cleaning, balance chemicals, and prepare your equipment. Start by giving your pool a comprehensive cleaning that goes beyond your regular maintenance routine.

Remove all leaves, silt, and other floating debris. Vacuum the pool thoroughly and brush the walls. Remove debris from the surface of the water with a handheld pool skimmer, then scrub the pool walls with a pool brush and clean out the pool skimmer baskets. If your pool has a lot of algae or is especially dirty, bypass the filter and vacuum waste out the backwash line to prevent having to keep removing and cleaning the filter.

Chemical Balance: The Foundation of Proper Winterization

Maintaining the proper chemical balance not only protects swimmers, but it safeguards your pool against damage. Keep the correct water chemistry and pH levels in your pool water throughout the winter and your water will be healthier when you open your pool in the spring.

Your winterization chemical checklist should include:

• Water alkalinity between 80 and 150 parts per million (ppm), adjusting it before you adjust the pH. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6
• Calcium hardness in the range of 175 to 225 ppm for above-ground pools with vinyl or fiberglass liners, and 200 to 275 ppm for in-ground concrete or plaster pools
• Shock treatment, following the package directions, allowing water to circulate for 24 hours and re-shocking if needed until chlorine levels reach 1.0 – 3.0 ppm
• A winterization product that consists of algaecides and is meant to work for an extended period of time, for the long winter months

Water Level Management: A Critical Balance

You typically need to reduce water levels in the pool before covering it, especially if you live in an area where pool water will freeze. Use your filter pump or a submersible pump to lower the water level 12-18 inches below the skimmer if you’re using a mesh pool cover and 3-6 inches below the tile for solid pool covers.

The proper winter water level for your pool depends on the type of pool and cover you have. In general, your pool’s water level shouldn’t be too low in the winter. For example, if you get a foot of snow but the water in the pool isn’t high enough to support the cover, the cover could get damaged. The water level shouldn’t be too high, either. If it comes in contact with decorative tiles, the freeze and thaw cycle can damage the tiles or your pool’s finish.

Equipment Protection: Safeguarding Your Investment

Drain all the equipment so water won’t expand and cause damage when temperatures fall below freezing. This includes your pump, filter, heater, and all plumbing lines. If you have an in-ground pool, be sure to use a high-powered air compressor to blow out any residual water from the plumbing lines, eliminating the risk of freezing and subsequent expansion.

Add non-toxic pool antifreeze to all lines. This specialized antifreeze should be added at the rate of one gallon per 10 feet of pipe. Don’t forget to remove and store pool accessories properly – remove pool accessories, including skimmers, ladders, floaters, etc. Hose off each or scrub clean, rinse and let dry completely before putting into storage.

Cover Installation: Your Pool’s Winter Armor

There are two types of covers, safety covers and winter covers. Safety covers must be anchored down, and they provide the greatest protection from debris, as well as preventing people or animals from accidentally falling in. Winter covers offer less protection, but you won’t have to deal with the extra step of securing them.

Place your pool cover across the pool. Whether you have a mesh safety pool cover or a solid security pool cover, make sure it fits tightly. Throughout the winter, periodically check your pool cover to be sure it is secure.

Special Considerations for Above-Ground Pools

Above-ground pools need air pillows to create a gap between the water and cover during the winter. As the pool water freezes, the ice will expand toward the pillow, reducing pressure on the pool walls. When winterizing an above ground pool, add an air pillow to the center of the pool before adding the cover. The pool pillow will help absorb the expansion of the pool water when it freezes and will help with pressure on the cover from snow accumulation.

Winter Maintenance: Your Pool Isn’t Forgotten

Swimming pool maintenance doesn’t end when you close up the swimming pool for the winter. Your pool has a few needs even while the snow piles up. Keep the top of your pool cover free from leaves and twigs. Remove any leaves stuck beneath the edge of the cover and the straps. Use a leaf blower, or gently use your leaf net or pool brush to clean the surface periodically.

Snow is heavier than it looks, so it’s important to keep it from piling up on your pool cover as part of your winter pool maintenance. At least once per month, take a peek under the cover. Visually inspect the water and look for changes in color, signs of stains and scaling, or evidence of a pool leak. You’ll also want to check the cover for damage, and test the water every 2–4 weeks to make sure there’s still sanitizer available.

Common Winter Problems to Watch For

You may still encounter problems during the winter even if you’ve properly closed your pool. Addressing these issues quickly will help you prevent further damage and more costly repairs. Key issues include:

• Cover problems: Tears, sagging, and holes could signal significant water accumulation or damage. You should consider replacing your cover to protect your pool interior and keep anyone or anything from falling into it
• Frozen pipes: If you suspect you have frozen pipes, contact a pool technician instead of trying to thaw them yourself

Professional vs. DIY: Making the Right Choice

If you hire a pool professional to take the task off your plate, you can expect to pay between $150 – $400 for labor and materials. You can DIY the task and save anywhere from $75 – $200. However, consider hiring a professional if you’re inexperienced or notice a problem with your pool.

Proper winterization is more than just a seasonal chore – it’s an investment in your pool’s longevity and your peace of mind. Closing and covering your pool during the off-season also means you’ll have less maintenance work to do when it’s time to re-open your pool for spring. That means you and your family will be able to enjoy your pool faster as temperatures begin to warm up. By following this comprehensive checklist and staying vigilant throughout the winter months, you’ll ensure your pool emerges from New York’s harsh winter ready for another season of enjoyment.