Thanks to our state’s hot summers and relatively mild winters, winter pool maintenance in Arizona looks a lot different than it would in New England or the Pacific Northwest. But even if you plan to use your pool year-round, it’s important to know how to prepare for winter. Occasionally, Tucson experiences some record-breaking cold weather. That can wreak havoc on your plumbing and pool components if you don’t prepare them ahead of time!
Here’s how Arizona winters change pool maintenance procedures and some tips for ensuring proper pool upkeep.
- Know the weather patterns: It’s true that Arizona rarely sees severe winter weather, but even mildly cold weather can make pool maintenance more difficult. Arizona’s coldest weather begins in late December and runs through early January, so plan to shut your pool down around that time.
- Test your chemicals: Just like any other time of year, your pool chemicals should be properly balanced. Check them every one to two weeks, using your manufacturer’s guide or the chemical labels to ensure the right results.
- Clean the pool: You don’t want to uncover your pool in the spring and find a dirty, moldy or algae-coated mess, so the next step is cleaning your pool thoroughly. Skim the water to remove any debris. Use a vacuum to remove dirt and debris from any surfaces. Then, use a brush to scrub the pool liner, any vinyl and the concrete in and around the pool.
- Lower the water level: Next, it’s time to lower the water level six inches below your skimmers. Most pool owners use a siphon pump to accomplish this. Just remember to drain the water somewhere that can handle it. You don’t want to flood your backyard while winterizing your pool!
- Blow out the lines: Most pool owners prefer to use professional pool maintenance services to perform this task. You’ll need to use a shop vac or other device to blow all the water out of your pool’s plumbing lines—otherwise it can freeze, expand and crack the lines.
- Clean the mechanical components: After you turn off power to the pump and skimmer, remove them, clean them thoroughly and make sure no water remains inside. Store them in a clean, dry place.
- Clean and put away accessories: Any removable accessories like skimmers, toys and floats should be removed, thoroughly cleaned and put away. Make sure they’re completely dry.
- Cover the pool: Finally, it’s time to cover your pool. Secure the cover thoroughly, spreading it across the surface of the water. The idea is to ensure that as little air as possible touches the water’s surface. Throughout the winter, monitor the cover to ensure that the water level doesn’t rise. If it does, simply siphon it off until it’s six inches below the skimmers again.
Taking care of your swimming pool is the best way to make sure it’s ready to go as soon as the sun starts blazing again. If you need help with your Arizona pool winterization, call Arizona Pool & Pond Company today.