As the leaves continue to fall and the air grows crisper, pool owners might think it’s time to just cover up their pools and forget about them until spring. However, maintaining a pool during the off-season is just as important as it is during the summer to ensure it remains in good shape for the next swimming season. Unfortunately, many pool owners make common mistakes that can lead to headaches and costly repairs down the line. Metropolitan Pools will share some of the typical off-season pool maintenance errors and how to avoid them.

Completely Ignoring the Pool

One of the most frequent mistakes is neglecting the pool altogether during the off-season. While it might seem convenient to just cover your pool and forget about it, doing so can lead to unpleasant surprises when you finally uncover it. You can Avoid this mistake by:
• Schedule monthly checks to inspect the cover, water chemistry, and equipment.
• Keep an eye on the water level and ensure that the cover remains clean and intact.

Not Balancing the Water Before Covering

Failing to balance the water chemistry before covering the pool for the off-season can lead to algae growth and scale buildup, which are much harder to address once they’ve taken hold. You should instead:
• Test and adjust your water’s pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels before covering the pool.
• Consider adding an algaecide and a winterizing chemical kit to keep the water clear during the colder months.

Letting the Pool Cover Become a Mess

A pool cover can collect water, leaves, and debris, which not only looks unsightly but can also damage the cover and affect the pool’s chemistry. To avoid this mistake you should:
• Regularly clean off any debris and standing water from the cover. A cover pump can be used to remove water.
• Check for holes or damage to the cover that may allow debris to enter the pool.

Improperly Winterizing the Equipment

Another common mistake is not properly winterizing the pool’s equipment, such as the pump, heater, and filter system. This can lead to costly damages like cracked pipes or broken pumps due to freezing temperatures. You will want to:
• Thoroughly drain all equipment and consider blowing out the lines to ensure no water is left to freeze.
• Store removable equipment like pumps and filters indoors or in a dry, protected area.

Forgetting to Lower the Water Level

Failing to lower the water level can lead to water expanding as it freezes, which might damage the pool structure and the liner. To avoid expanding water levels you should:
• Lower the water below the skimmer line for mesh covers, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions for solid covers.
• Keep monitoring the water level throughout the off-season to ensure it remains at a safe level.

Ignoring Algae Prevention

Many assume that cold water will naturally prevent algae growth. However, algae can survive and even thrive in a covered pool if nutrients are available. To prevent algae even during winter you should:
• Use a winter algaecide and ensure your sanitizer levels are appropriate before covering the pool.
• Keep an eye on the water clarity during routine checks and address any signs of algae immediately.

Vinyl Pool Installation, Repair, Maintenance & More in Sandusky, Lorain, Elyria, Medina, Parma, Mentor, Akron & Greater Cleveland, Ohio

Maintaining your pool during the off-season doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By avoiding these common mistakes and setting a simple maintenance schedule, you can ensure your pool stays in great shape and is ready to go when the warm weather returns. For year-round pool maintenance, contact Metropolitan Pools today.