10 Winter Pool Care Tips for Mid-Missouri Homeowners
Don’t Stress About Your Pool Maintenance in the Winter. Our Pool Experts in Mid-MO Have the Guide to Help You
Keeping up with your pool care through cold weather can feel overwhelming, especially if it is your first winter as a pool owner. There are several steps necessary for winterizing a swimming pool in mid-Missouri, from balancing the chemicals in the water to removing equipment. If you want to maintain your inground pool through the freezing winter, practice the following tips from the pool contractors at Peavler Construction!
#1: Use the right winterizing chemicals for your inground pool in mid-Missouri
The ratio of different chemicals is one of the most important aspects of winterizing a swimming pool. Your pool will need to be balanced with chlorine and enzymes to break down contaminants and keep the water clean. The recommended pH levels to maintain for your swimming pool are between 7.2 and 7.8 during the wintertime. Keep chlorine levels below 5 ppm and make sure the pool’s alkalinity levels stay between 80 and 120 ppm.
#2: Vacuum & clean the surfaces of your inground pool before winter begins in central Missouri
Prepping for the winter season is a huge part of pool maintenance. Before the season begins and the pool is covered, thoroughly clean the inside of leaves and built-up debris. You can gently scrub the sides with an alkaline-based cleaner and vacuum the floor of the pool to clean everything up. Vinyl liner pools are the easiest to clean in mid-MO because of their non-porous texture, making winterization easy.
#3: Store all your pool equipment, chemicals & kits properly for winter in central Missouri
When the winter season comes to mid-Missouri, it’s time to put away equipment and other pool items. Be careful when storing sensitive items like chemicals and test strips, because a dramatic change in temperature can make them lose their effectiveness. Remove parts like ladders, skimmer baskets, slides, and any other extra pool equipment.
#4: Lower your mid-Missouri pool’s water level without fully draining it
If you are preparing your inground pool for the winter, draining the water is an essential step. However, the pool is not supposed to be completely emptied or it could damage the liner and invite excessive debris. The water level in your mid-MO pool should be reduced until it’s four to six inches under the water return line.
#5: Cover your inground pool for the winter & keep the pool cover clean
During the wintertime in central Missouri, your pool is at risk of getting covered with snow and ice. When you’re finished preparing the water, make sure to use a quality pool cover over the surface. Even though the cover will protect your swimming pool from outside elements, it’s still necessary to keep snow and water off of it to prevent damage from freezing. With an automatic pool cover, you can access your inground pool at the touch of a button with no hassle.
#6: Protect & winterize the area surrounding your mid-Missouri swimming pool
Your backyard probably has trees or animals that frequently visit. As the winter season approaches in mid-MO, cleaning the environment near your pool can help keep the area clean. Trim and remove tree branches, cut the grass, and consider ways you can protect the pool from intruders. Homeowners often build a deck fence around their inground pool to maintain safety during the mid-Missouri winter.
#7: Add algaecide to your swimming pool in mid-MO to prevent algae growth
After the chlorine intensity has reduced from winterizing your pool, it is recommended to add an algaecide about halfway through the winter. This will prevent algae and bacteria from growing and contaminating the water in your mid-Missouri pool. To make sure it is fully mixed into the pool, let the pump circulate algaecide for a full 24 hours.
#8: Drain the pool’s plumbing system to prevent it from freezing over the mid-Missouri winter
The pipes providing water to your pool in mid-Missouri must be cleared out before the temperatures drop. If not, the water inside can freeze, expand, and burst essential parts of the pool’s plumbing system. Attach an air compressor to your pump’s drain plug opening, blow air through the system, and dry out the skimmer before inserting a plug into it.
#9: Check on your pool regularly throughout the winter in central Missouri
Even though you won’t be swimming any time soon, checking the pool routinely is best if you want to preserve quality. If there is rain or snow, the melted water can dilute pool chemicals, so you must keep an eye on important factors like pH levels.
#10: The right time to start opening up your mid-Missouri pool again
While you might be nervous about uncovering the pool while the weather is still slightly chilly, it’s usually better to do it earlier. This prevents algae and debris from having the chance to build up in your swimming pool, giving you a bigger cleaning job after opening the pool back up. When the days start reaching 70 degrees or higher, get ready to prep your pool for the spring and summer!
Peavler Construction Builds Vinyl Liner Pools in Mid-MO That Stay Durable for Decades. Give Our Pool Contractors a Call!
If you want a fun, long-lasting pool that is easy to maintain during the harsh winter months, get in touch with Peavler Construction. We’ll build you an amazing custom vinyl liner pool in central Missouri. Reach out for a quote!
