When many across the country are shoveling snow and zipping themselves into their winter gear, you are probably doing the exact opposite as a Florida homeowner. It might even be warm enough for a quick swim, so you decide to keep your pool open for business and assume that it will be much easier to maintain when you’re using it less.
This hands-off approach might make sense, but it’s not a good idea for your pool. Pool maintenance isn’t a task that goes on vacation. Neglecting it during the cooler months is one of the biggest causes of expensive damage. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid during the winter.
Assuming Your Chemistry Is Right Because the Water Is Clear
The goal of every Florida pool owner is to have a beautiful pool with clean, crystal-clear water. But even when the water looks as clear as glass, you shouldn’t assume everything is fine based on appearance alone.
Chemical rebalancing is still an important part of winter pool maintenance. Colder water does slow down chlorine consumption, but it doesn’t do a thing to pH fluctuations. Florida’s rainy season can make your pool much more acidic, too, so you’ll need to make adjustments in order to protect every part of your pool, from the plaster to the pump.
You don’t necessarily have to test it daily like you would during periods of high use. Your new goal should be to check in once a week. It’s easier to do this more often if you have smart system integration, so you may as well keep an eye on it more frequently if all you have to do is open the app.
Forgetting to Cover Your Pool
One of the easiest ways to simplify pool maintenance around this time of year is to cover your pool when you aren’t using it. Yes, it feels like a hassle to do the on-again, off-again dance if a heat wave comes and you decide to jump in for a dip. But that’s nowhere near as big a hassle as fishing an animal out of your pool.
Covers are also important for retaining heat and chemicals. Without a cover, heat escapes and chemicals evaporate. You’re paying more to heat your pool and spending more time fine-tuning the pH balance. Keeping your pool covered when you aren’t using it pauses these processes while keeping debris out of your skimmer.
Leaving your pool uncovered leads to another problem: water loss. You don’t want your water level to get too low in winter. It’s not the same as draining your pool and leaving it empty, but if you forget the cover enough times, your pool could sustain significant damage.
Pool Owners in Florida Thinking Climate Doesn’t Matter
Florida’s climate is notably different than that of the Midwest or even other parts of the South. But just because the state doesn’t see frequent deep freezes doesn’t mean climate can’t affect your pool equipment.
The Gulf Coast and other parts of southern Florida do experience the occasional freeze warning, too. Paying attention to the forecast during this time of year is essential, especially if you keep your pool open.
Winters can also get unusually warm here. This speeds up algae growth; pool owners who turn down their circulation because they think it will stay cold are in for a rude and very green awakening. The weather can change on a dime. Be ready to change your pool maintenance approach along with it.
Pump run times and chemical schedules should sync with weather patterns as much as possible to keep the pool healthy and clean.
Ignoring Pool Service and Maintenance Needs
Even if you cover your pool for three months and don’t use it a single time, you can’t simply forget it exists. Experts recommend scheduling professional pool maintenance service before you close it down for the season. Otherwise, you might trap algae and other contaminants inside, and the problem will be exponentially worse come spring.
Routine maintenance also involves double-checking the physical equipment. Temperature changes are hard on these pieces. Additionally, you don’t want to leave pumps or filters dirty for months if you shut your pool down. Cleaning these or backwashing the system before a period of lower usage is vital.
You can always simplify this process with the help of Florida pool professionals. They’ll know which steps to take to prepare your specific pool for cooler days ahead.
Draining Your Pool (Even if You Aren’t Using It)
This one’s tricky for any transplants from the north. You might have the idea that you need to drain your pool below the return lines for winter. That’s not the case in Florida, and it’s often more damaging to go this route.
Water tables along the Gulf Coast are high. This water creates upward pressure around your pool shell. The only thing protecting the shell at this point is the weight of your water. Draining all of it could cause the pressure to get too high. Your shell could crack or even pop out of the ground completely. Both scenarios are expensive to repair.
You can always drain the pool slightly if winter rain raises the water level too high. But keep the water level at the midpoint of the skimmer tile. Never significantly or fully drain your pool, at least not without professional guidance for a specific repair or service.
Keeping the pool filled is also better for pools with plaster or pebble finishes. These materials are designed to be in water; too much exposure to air can cause them to crack.
Winter Pool Maintenance Matters
Pool maintenance during the winter months isn’t difficult, but it is different. Your goal becomes active preservation to keep your Florida pool healthy even when you aren’t using it. If you aren’t sure about winter pool maintenance or you think your equipment could use a refresh before spring, Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.