Winter is one of the harshest Colorado seasons, and it’s crucial to prepare your pool or hot tub for the off-season. By taking extra precautions to maintain your Denver pool during the winter, you’ll be able to jump back into swimming season with ease.

Here, we’ll cover the main steps in winter pool maintenance for Denver pool owners.

Maintain Your Pool Heater.

Your pool heater is likely the priciest piece of pool equipment that you own. So, it’s important to protect it during the winter months to avoid the need for costly repairs or replacement.

If you keep your pool heater running during the winter, it’s likely to attract pests. The warmth that it produces is a major draw for small animals during the chilly Colorado winters. So, be sure to properly turn off your pool heater for the winter. 

Pool heater models vary, so the process of turning them off for the winter can differ. But, you can follow these basic steps to switch most pool heaters off for the winter:

• Close both of the gas valves. Typically, one gas valve is located inside of the heater with on/off labels and another valve is located at a point on the gas line running to the heater. It’s important to make sure that both gas valves are closed to avoid a gas leak, which would present a fire risk. 
• Shut off power to the heater at the electrical breaker. 
• Open up the pressure switch to avoid damage if trapped water freezes.
• Open the drain cocks/winterization ports by removing all drain plugs. 
• Use a shop vac or a leaf blower to blow the remaining water out of the heater.

Balance Chemicals and Shock The Water.

Chemically balance your pool water before the start of the winter season to keep corrosion or scale from damaging your pool. You should test the pH level, chlorine, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness, then make adjustments as needed. 

For chlorine pools, you should also shock the water. Be sure to add the correct amount of shock for the size of your pool. 

Protect Pipes And Pool Components From Freezing. 

Temperatures can drop well below freezing during winter in Colorado. So, it’s important to protect your pool’s pipes and other components from freezing. To do this, you’ll need to drain water from the pump, filter, and heater, as we discussed above. If excess water is left in any of these components over the winter months, it may freeze and cause damage. If water freezes inside of your pool pipes, the pipes may crack. Repairing a cracked pool pipe can be pricey, so it’s wise to take extra caution in ensuring that all of the water has drained from your pool system. 

Colorado pool owners should also drain the water in their pools so that it sits a few inches underneath the skimmer. If you own an above-ground pool, drain the pool water to approximately one inch below the skimmer.

Check Your Pool Cover.

A cover is essential for winter pool maintenance in Denver. Before winter strikes, make sure that your pool cover is in good condition, with no tears or other signs of damage. Then make sure that your pool cover is secured to your pool as reliably as possible. If a storm strikes, you should be sure that your pool cover won’t blow over in the wind. 

If excess water gathers on top of your pool cover, you should remove it ASAP so that it doesn’t freeze. To remove standing water, you can simply use a shop vac or a suction pump, if you own one. 

Minimize Snow Accumulation.

Minimizing snow accumulation on the top of your pool cover is another important winter maintenance task. If snow and ice weigh down your cover, damage could occur. So, after any major snowstorm, use a shovel or leaf blower to remove snow from the cover. 

If you use a mesh snow cover, the snow will drain into your pool once it has melted. In this case, keep an eye on the water level throughout the winter.For expert help with winter pool maintenance in Colorado, contact us today.

From staying mindful of the Colorado seasons to keeping your pool maintenance routine in check, Denver pool owners will benefit from these helpful tips.

Brush and Skim On The Daily. 

Cleaning your pool with a brush and skimmer are essential daily tasks during the summer. Frequent cleaning will keep algae and debris from building up on your pool walls during the peak season, as well as make your pool a pleasant place to swim. 

Run The Pool Pump Throughout The Summer.

In a perfect world, your pump would be running 24 hours per day in the summer, when your pool is in use the most. Running the pump all day, every day is the best option for optimal filtration. However, not all pool owners can afford the expense of running the pump constantly, and not all equipment is built to support non-stop use. So, try to run your pool pump for a minimum of eight hours per day during the summer. This will provide enough circulation to keep your pool clean and safe for swimmers. 

Remember Winter Maintenance.

The winter season here in Denver, Colorado can bring on severe weather and freezing temperatures. Contrary to what some believe, your pool or hot tub can’t just stay out of sight, out of mind during the winter months. Winter maintenance is crucial to maintaining the condition of your pool for the sunny days to come. So, make sure that you have an excellent pool cover, keep your pool water balanced, and check your pool filter, pump, and heater for freezing throughout the winter.

Invest In a Good Pool Cover.

Speaking of pool covers, all Denver pool owners should invest in a durable, well-made cover. Pool covers keep debris like dirt, leaves, insects, twigs, and even small animals from getting into your pool. Since it often snows here in Colorado, you’ll want to find a cover that can withstand extreme weather. Then, make sure that the cover is reliably secured to your pool so that it will stay in place, no matter the weather.

Keep An Eye On The Water Level.

For the best possible results, your pool’s water level should line up with the center of your pool skimmer. If the water level is too high, your pool’s skimmer door won’t function well. If the water level is too low, the pump could get damaged.

Clean Skimmer Baskets.

During the swimming season, make sure to clean the skimmer baskets once per week. Your skimmer helps keep your pool clean by removing debris before it sinks. So, by keeping the basket clean, you can ensure that your skimmer operates properly. Clean skimmer baskets make for a clean pool.

Keep Pool Filters Clean.

Pool filters must be cleaned frequently for sparkling pool water. Additionally, clean pool filters place less strain on your pool equipment, ultimately keeping your entire pool system in good condition. Pool pumps and filters can be expensive, so proper maintenance is key to avoiding the need for replacements. 

Check The pH Balance.

During the summer, it’s important to check the pH balance of your pool weekly at a minimum, if not twice per week. The pH of your pool water should be maintained at 7.2 to 7.8. If the pH of your pool water gets too high, the chlorine won’t be as effective. So, by keeping the pH in check, you can lower the amount of chlorine that you use. 

Maintain The Pool Deck. 

With your focus on keeping your pool water clean, it can be easy to forget about your pool deck. But, regularly cleaning your pool deck is essential. Bacteria, algae, spores, and dirt can be easily spread from your pool to your pool deck. Use a pool deck cleaner to give the area a thorough scrub monthly during the summer.

Enlist Professional Help.

If you’re struggling to keep up with pool maintenance tasks, enlisting professional help is your best option. Pool maintenance services are available and will help keep your pool in excellent condition. Expert pool maintenance can even extend the lifespan of your pool system while helping you avoid damage to pool equipment.