12Dec
How You Can Take Proper Care of Pools in Ottawa When Things Cool Down
Although most pool owners have closed their pools in Ottawa for the winter, they still need to care for their pools. Off-season maintenance ensures that your pool will stay cleaner and avoid damage during the long winter months. So for those who are closing their pools in Ottawa for the winter, here are several tips to help keep your pool in tip-top condition until spring.
Winterize the Water
A winterizing product with biocidal properties will halt the growth of microorganisms during the winter. This will also help keep the pH levels balanced, making for cleaner water come spring. Look for products with an algaecide or algaestat to prevent algae blooms. And add the product to the water during pool closing, allowing the pump to circulate the water for 24 hours.
Add a Mid-Winter Algaecide
Since the winterizing products last for about 90 days, you should add another algaecide to the water mid-way through the winter. This will help your pool stay clean and algae-free until you open it.
Add Chlorine
Add chlorine during pool closing, and again once the water thaws in the spring. Avoid adding too much though, since it could bleach and damage your pool liner.
Drain Water from Equipment
To prevent your pipes and pool equipment from freezing and cracking in the winter, make sure to drain the water from your pump, filter, and pool heater. Also, drain the water four to six inches below the skimmer in your pool. You can hire a pool company to blow out and winterize your lines to prevent the pipes from freezing as well.
Clean the Cover
If you notice dirt, debris, and snow building up on your pool cover, gently clean it off using a broom brush or a hose. You can also use a shop vac or a sump pump to clean off the water. This will help keep your pool protected from contaminants and prevent damage to your cover.
Add an Air Pillow
Air pillows that connect to the bottom side of above-ground pool covers keep pool covers cleaner. They also help protect pools. With a pillow in the middle, the dirt and debris on top will slide to the sides of the cover. The pillow will also prevent large ice sheets from forming in the water that can drop and damage the pool liner.
Keep an Eye on the Cover
Make sure the pool safety cover is well-fitted. If you notice the cables loosening, tighten them to prevent the cover from sliding into your pool. The cover will be at greater risk of sinking in if the water level has dropped and too much snow has built up on top. If this happens, add more water if the pool water isn’t frozen, and keep the cover clear of snow. A cover that sinks into the pool will damage the pool siding and coping.
Add Enzyme Chemicals
To avoid water line marks and to keep your pool cleaner, add enzyme chemicals to the water. These break down non-organic contaminants in the water that are left over from the pool season and that also get in through mesh covers during the off-season.
Pay Attention to the Weather
If your region experienced a lot of precipitation—especially rain—after pool closing, and you have a mesh safety cover, there’s a high chance the pool chemicals will become diluted. So add more winterizing chemicals to the water to ensure it will stay clean.
Open Early
If you want to keep your pool clean and prevent algae growth, open your pool before the water gets warm. This will also give you plenty of time to repair any damage that may arise before the pool season starts.
By taking care of your pool during the off-season, your pool will be in better condition come spring. With this care, you can start enjoying your pool as soon as the warm weather arrives and make the most of Ottawa’s pool season.