Ohio’s winters are known for their freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles. While these conditions create beautiful scenery, they can be tough on inground vinyl liner pools. Without proper preparation, the cold can cause damage that leads to leaks, liner tears, and costly spring repairs. Metropolitan Pools would like to share how winter affects your vinyl liner pool and taking steps to protect it can save you time, money, and frustration when swimming season returns.
Freezing Temperatures Can Damage Your Liner
When temperatures drop below freezing, any water left in your plumbing lines, skimmer, or fittings can freeze and expand. This pressure can cause cracks in your plumbing and damage the pool’s liner where it connects to fittings or steps. Here are some prevention tips:
• Winterize properly: Always have your pool professionally winterized before the first hard freeze.
• Blow out and plug lines: This ensures no water remains in the plumbing to freeze and expand.
• Use a skimmer guard: It absorbs expansion pressure and prevents cracks.
Water Level Fluctuations Can Stress the Liner
Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles can cause water to expand and contract repeatedly. If your water level is too low or too high during winter, it can place uneven stress on your vinyl liner, causing it to stretch, wrinkle, or even tear. To maintain water level you can:
• Lower the water level just below the skimmer before closing your pool. Don’t go too low, as this can allow the liner to shift or shrink.
• Use a quality winter cover to minimize evaporation and prevent excess rainwater or melting snow from overfilling the pool.
Heavy Snow & Ice Can Put Pressure on the Pool Cover
Snow and ice buildup can weigh down your winter cover, pulling on anchors and stressing the liner edges. If the cover collapses, debris can enter the pool, and ice could puncture the liner. Some prevention tips includes:
• Invest in a strong, properly fitted winter cover or safety cover designed for harsh weather.
• After heavy snow, carefully remove excess weight from the cover using a soft broom or pool cover pump, never use sharp tools that could tear it.
Liner Brittleness from Cold Weather
Vinyl becomes less flexible in cold temperatures. If your liner is older, the combination of freezing weather and reduced elasticity can lead to cracking or splitting especially if water freezes behind the liner. To prevent liner brittleness due to the cold:
• Maintain proper water chemistry before closing the pool to protect the liner’s material.
• Consider replacing aging liners before winter if they show signs of brittleness or fading.
• Use a pool antifreeze product in plumbing lines for extra protection.
Vinyl Pool Installation, Repair, Maintenance & More in Sandusky, Lorain, Elyria, Medina, Parma, Mentor, Akron & Greater Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio’s winter weather can be tough on inground vinyl liner pools, but with the right preparation, you can prevent most cold-weather damage. Proper winterization, balanced water levels, and a strong pool cover go a long way in keeping your pool safe and ready for the next swim season. Need help winterizing your pool? Call Metropolitan Pools and schedule our services today.