When closing your pool, should you choose DIY or a pro?
As pool season winds down and cooler weather approaches, it’s time to think about closing your swimming pool for the year. Properly closing your pool is critical to ensure it remains in good condition and ready to use next season. While some pool owners opt for a DIY approach, hiring a professional to handle the job provides a number of advantages.
Steps for Properly Closing Your Pool
- Clean the Pool Thoroughly: Before closing your pool, it’s important to give it a deep clean. Skim the surface to remove leaves, insects, and debris. Use a pool vacuum to clean the floor and walls, and scrub the tiles to prevent algae buildup. A clean pool helps prevent staining and makes reopening in the spring much easier.
- Balance the Water Chemistry: Proper water chemistry is crucial to preventing corrosion and scaling during the off-season. Before closing, test the pool water for pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Adjust the levels as needed to achieve balance. Adding a pool shock and algaecide will also help maintain the water’s condition over the winter months.
- Lower the Water Level: Reducing the water level is essential, especially in areas that experience freezing temperatures. You’ll need to lower the water below the skimmer to prevent water from freezing and expanding, which can damage pool equipment. Some pool owners lower the water level to the bottom of the tile line or just below the skimmer.
- Drain and Store Pool Equipment: Pool pumps, heaters, filters, and other equipment need to be properly drained and stored to avoid damage from freezing. This includes removing any accessories such as ladders, diving boards, and slides. For above-ground pools, it’s also recommended to remove hoses and store them indoors.
- Winterize the Plumbing: If you live in a cold climate, it’s critical to blow out your pool’s plumbing lines to prevent water from freezing and causing costly damage. You’ll need an air compressor to remove water from the lines and pool heater. Additionally, antifreeze can be added to the lines to offer extra protection.
- Cover the Pool: Finally, cover your pool with a high-quality pool cover. This protects the water from debris and prevents accidental falls into the pool. Make sure the cover is secure and in good condition, as a damaged cover could lead to problems during the off-season.
DIY Pool Closing: Is It Worth It?
For those who enjoy hands-on projects, DIY pool closing may seem like a cost-effective option. With the proper tools and knowledge, it is possible to close your pool yourself. However, there are several risks involved.
- Lack of Expertise: Closing a pool requires a deep understanding of water chemistry, equipment maintenance, and winterization techniques. Mistakes like improperly blowing out lines or not balancing chemicals can lead to significant damage that may go unnoticed until it’s too late.
- Time-Consuming: Pool closing is a time-intensive task that requires careful attention to detail. Between cleaning, balancing chemicals, and securing equipment, you can easily spend an entire day on the process, which can feel overwhelming for busy homeowners.
- Cost of Equipment: If you choose to close your pool yourself, you may need to invest in specialized equipment, such as air compressors or chemical testing kits. These upfront costs can add up and, in some cases, make hiring a professional more economical.
Why Hiring a Professional is the Better Option
Hiring a professional to close your pool offers a number of advantages that often outweigh the DIY approach. Here’s why a pro can make all the difference:
- Expertise and Experience: Professionals are trained to properly close pools, ensuring every step is completed to the highest standard. They understand the intricacies of water chemistry, equipment maintenance, and winterization, which significantly reduces the risk of damage during the off-season. Their experience means they can identify potential issues you may overlook and address them before they become expensive problems.
- Proper Equipment: A professional pool technician comes equipped with all the necessary tools and chemicals to get the job done right. Whether it’s an air compressor to blow out the lines or specialized antifreeze for your pool plumbing, a professional has access to the best materials available, ensuring your pool is protected against freezing and other winter hazards.
- Saves Time: Closing a pool is not only time-consuming but also requires precision. A professional can complete the process in a fraction of the time it might take you, freeing up your schedule. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your pool has been winterized properly, so you can enjoy the off-season without worry.
- Avoid Costly Mistakes: One of the biggest advantages of hiring a professional is the assurance that your pool is closed correctly. DIY mistakes like improperly blowing out plumbing lines or neglecting water chemistry can result in expensive repairs come spring. Hiring a professional reduces this risk, protecting your investment in your pool.
- Warranty and Service Guarantees: Many professional pool services offer warranties or service guarantees for their work. This means if something goes wrong during the off-season, you’re covered. In contrast, if you close the pool yourself and something goes wrong, you’ll be responsible for the repairs.
Do You Have More Questions About Swimming Pools? Ask Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC
If you still have questions about how to build a brand new swimming pool, Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC is here to help you. At Sunrise Pools, we can build and install your pool, spa, or hot tub and provide you with pool chemicals, services, and more. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call at 410-349-3852. To see more from us and for tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.