Winter-proof your pool

Winter is coming, which means that – unless you are one of those tough people who swim throughout the year – you’re going to be spending much more time indoors, and less time by the pool.

But don’t let out of sight be out of mind, because if you neglect your pool during winter, you may regret it in spring. The one good thing about winter is that, with the colder weather, there is much less algae growth, so it’s unlikely your pool will turn into a ‘wet lawn’, but you still need to do some maintenance. And it’s important to start before the first big chill or big rain.

THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE APPROACH

There are people who – literally – cover the pool up at the beginning of winter and ignore it till spring. And some get away with it, just needing to shock a slightly green pool back into crystal turquoise perfection. But that’s a strategy that can backfire, so it’s worth paying at least some attention to your pool over winter.

PREP AND PLAN

How you maintain your pool over winter might differ slightly depending on where you live, how big it is, and many other factors. Most pool maintenance people recommend that you start the winter off by giving your pool a shock treatment to prep it for the long period of reduced maintenance. It’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, do the shock treatment at night, and take all safety precautions. Another big decision before winter is whether or not to cover the pool.

Covering the pool is not essential, but it’s generally a good idea. It reduces algae buildup by reducing sunlight, it keeps out dust, leaves, and other debris, it reduces evaporation, and it reduces incoming rainfall. It also reduces the chances of the pool freezing over in frost-prone areas like the Highveld.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

It may seem like a lot of work, but there are many advantages to continuing with regular maintenance. We all know that the weather is unpredictable, and even more so the last few years. So you may well have a series of blistering hot days in the middle of winter, when you’ll desperately want to swim, and you’ll be glad the pool is in tip-top, sparkling blue shape. Even if you’ve covered the pool, you’ll need to continue with regular maintenance.

Check the chlorine, pH, and stabiliser levels, but you can do this less frequently because the lower temperatures and decreased sunlight will retard algae growth. Skim regularly to remove leaves and other debris, even if you have covered the pool. Also, if you have covered the pool, check under it regularly just to make sure no small creature has slipped in and died. Trust me – you don’t want to find that out after a few weeks. And, perhaps most importantly, run the pump and filter regularly, especially if you live in a frost-prone area, because one big freeze can totally destroy your whole pool filtration system.

THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

If you have a natural plant-filtered pool, you’ll still need to prepare for winter. Remove any blockages from gravel, pipes, skimmer baskets, and pump strainers. Open the pump, rinse the impeller, remove any roots, grit, or other material, and check for wear.

Check the O-rings and connections for leaks. The most important thing is to cut back the plants in and around the pool and remove any excess organic debris and dead and/or yellowing plants so that they don’t rot in the water all winter. But don’t go wild and scalp the poor pool. You need to keep the roots and crowns intact because they stabilise the biofilter.

Having done all that prep, your day-to-day maintenance is minimal. If you run a reduced flow in winter, ensure that it’s still enough to avoid stagnation and anaerobic smells. Check the biofilter flow and make sure the pump, skimmer, waterfalls, and bog zones still have good circulation. The joy of a naturally filtered pool, of course, is that it is ready for swimming at a moment’s notice if the weather turns hot, or you decide you want to do the polar bear thing and swim in mid-winter.

BOTTOM LINE

Your pool is a big investment, so keep it in good shape even when you’re not using it. Money and time ‘saved’ during winter may prove to be a false economy.