It's time to start thinking about closing up your pool for the winter. As dismal as it seems, it's almost fall, and waiting until the leaves begin to drop is bad for your pool. The temperature may still be warm, but you can start preparing and treating your pool for protection from the cold now.

The professionals at Gutierrez Pool Plastering are sad to see the summer slipping away, but after 30 years in the business it’s no surprise. Their professional advice will help maintain and protect your pool so everyone can enjoy it again next summer!

Before you close your pool, clean it out with a net or a pool vacuum. Allowing leaves and debris to sit in your pool all winter can damage it and make it harder to open up again next season. Clean out your skimmer and pump basket, and balance the water chemistry. This does not mean adding chlorine or bromine tablets. In fact, before closing your pool you should allow all these chemicals to run out. Instead, try a “winterization chemical kit” to keep your water unfrozen, clean, and clear all winter. Remove your filter system and put it in a place where it won’t freeze.

Put on a winter cover with a small amount of water on top to keep it from flapping around and scaring your kids at night (and from putting unnecessary pressure on the cover itself). Don’t allow too much water to accumulate on top or the cover will get too heavy and displace the pool water underneath. Don’t empty the pool! Without some water to keep your pool grounded, the frozen soil beneath will cause your pool to shift and crack. While Gutierrez Pool Plastering will take care of any repairs and replacements your pool might need after a long, cold winter, they hate to see preventable damage which could keep you from swimming the moment it gets warm again.

Check out more advice and services on Gutierrez Pool Plastering's website, and feel free to call (908) 756-7585 for more advice on caring for your pool.