Winterizing Your Texas Pool

The kids are back in school, the mornings are darker, and the evenings are cooler – it must be Fall. We are lucky enough to live in the great state of Texas, where we don’t have to worry about cooler temperatures for quite a while. However, even though we don’t technically have “winter”, it is important to begin the process of Pool Winterization. During the cooler months, most Austinites rarely use their pool, but want the pool ready for that one January day when the temperature reaches 70 degrees.

At Crystal Clear Pools & Spas, we are often asked, “If I’m going to use my pool year-round, why should I winterize it?” The reason is because the temperature will most certainly fall below freezing during the winter months, which could cause your pipes to freeze. Additionally, partially winterizing your in ground pool will save money on utility expenses, as well as pool supplies and maintenance.

Here are some tips for winterizing your Texas pool:

•  Remove all dirt, leaves, and other debris from skimmer baskets  Clean the filter
•  Check your pump to ensure it is in working order and consider adding a freeze sensor that will start up your equipment when the temperature falls below freezing
• Check your pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness levels and adjust to correct levels. After balancing, shock the pool with either chlorine or non-chlorine pool shock. During the winter months, your pool will get much less sun due to the shorter days, which means less algae, and therefore less chemicals (saving you money on your supply and maintenance costs).

While it may seem like a good idea to winterize your inground pool yourself to save some money, if done improperly, damages to your pump or heater can cost anywhere from $400 to $1000. It is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and hire a licensed pool professional. Contact Crystal Clear Pools & Spa and ask about our winterization packages. We will take care of everything, so all you have to do is swim!