The leaves are turning, and the air is cool and crisp. It is a sure sign fall is right around the corner and winter will be a close step behind. What does this mean for those who have pools? For some, it’s the end of swim season, and for others, less time in the pool. Now is the perfect time to check the security of the pool area and conduct seasonal maintenance for the transition into fall and winter months.
Below are the top tips from Nationwide Industries to make fall and winter pool maintenance as simple as possible:
1. Remove debris. If the pool hasn’t been used in a few days or weeks, use a skimmer to remove any leaves or other surface debris that has fallen in the pool. If there are leaves at the bottom of the pool, remove them as soon as possible because they can stain or cause algae growth. It’s also an excellent time to remove debris from the pool area, including the deck and yard.
2. General cleaning. Once debris and pool toys have been removed, scrub the walls and tiles, and use the pool vacuum to ensure the bottom of the pool has been thoroughly cleaned.
3. Filter check. Clean out filters after a busy summer pool season to keep them working into the fall, even if you plan to close the pool. No one wants to open the pool in the spring with dirt and grime from the last season.
4. Heat cycle. For those using the pool year-round, adjust the water temp for fall and winter comfort. Consider covering the pool in the evenings to save on heating costs during the cooler winter months.
5. Chemical check. Typically, fewer chemicals are needed when the temperatures and the water level are lower. Adjust as needed.
6. Prepare for closure. For those closing the pool for the fall and winter months:
- Drain water below the skimmer and from the pumps, filters, pipes, and pool water. If you expect freezing temps, remove excess water as it can damage pipes when the freezing water expands.
- Cover the pool to keep it clean and unexposed to the elements. Pool covers come in all shapes and sizes. Check your local retail pool store or online for the proper cover.
- It is best to use water tubes or bags around the edges of in-ground pools to weigh down the pool cover. Use stakes and tie-downs or sandbags to hold the pool cover in place.
- Above-ground pool covers are easier to secure using cover ties directly attached to the pool frame or stakes and tie-downs to the ground.
- To ensure your pool is ready to be closed, consult with your pool professional for assistance.
7. Perimeter security. For pool owners, protecting the backyard and the pool area is a year-round necessity. At Nationwide Industries, we’ve made it easy to offer year-round protection to secure the backyard pool with products that protect key areas around a property:
- Ensure your perimeter fencing is secure with heavy-duty hinges, like our heavy-duty self-closing fully adjustable hinge and couple it with our Keystone® Traverse dual-sided locking latch.
- Secure the pool cage door with an auto-hold closer kit to allow easy access with a push of a button instead of a stop ring. Add a screen bypass water system allowing homeowners to easily and quickly clean off the pool deck, fill the pool to an optimal water level, and water plants without dragging a hose around the cage.
- A pool safety fence coupled with a magnetic pool latch ensures the pool gate will stay closed with strong magnetic closing power.
After the pool is secured for the fall and winter season, make sure your backyard area is safe by checking all latches, hinges, fences, and gates. Confirm your self-closing hinges are properly functioning and all latches engage properly to ensure there are no unwanted visitors. Taking these simple, proactive steps can prevent accidents before they happen.
If the pool is still in use through the fall and winter, it’s a good time to brush up on critical safety and rules for the backyard pool.
For more year-round pool safety tips and Nationwide Industries’ pool and patio products, visit our pool safety page. Take the pledge to become a pool safety advocate to help us create safer pool environments to reduce preventable accidents.