Fall/Winter Pool Maintenance Tips

With fall in full swing and winter not far behind, windy and cold days are upon us. Even though your pool may be the last thing on your mind over the holiday season, fall/winter pool maintenance is very important. Leaves blown into your pool water can clog your skimmer, introduce algae into your pool water and create an unattractive nuisance for swimmers. Regular pool service is recommended to ensure your water remains clean and clear.Pool service appointments can take a little longer this time of year because of the debris and leaves that the season brings, so please be patient with your pool cleaner and if you do see any problems in your pool due to the change of seasons, I recommend calling your pool service company right away.This is also the time of year to turn off your solar pool heaters and run your freeze protection. Freeze protection turns on your pool equipment when the temperature is a few degrees above freezing to protect your plumbing and system. Freeze protection normally runs around 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. during the winter months. If you are running your equipment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you are running it double what it needs; this can even happen with variable speed pumps.Lastly, don’t let chemicals damage your pool this winter. Do not add any tablets or a floater that contains chlorine or bromine as they can damage your equipment. If you already have chlorine or bromine tablets in your feeder, let them run out so that none remain.