New England winters can be harsh and bitterly cold, and if you don’t take precautions, the weather and freezing temperatures can damage your swimming pool. Washington Depot, CT’s Distinctive Swimming Pools encourages everyone to practice appropriate swimming pool maintenance during the winter and explains what can happen if you don’t.

3 Ways Winter Can Cause Damage If You Ignore Swimming Pool Maintenance

Corrosion & Scale Buildup

If you fail to balance the water chemistry before closing your pool for the season, you may reopen it in spring to discover unsightly corrosion and hard scale buildup. Prevent this by adjusting the water's pH, alkalinity, and hardness before closing the pool. Also, consider adding a winterization kit, which raises chlorine levels and introduces algaecide to minimize bacteria growth while the pool is inactive.

Cracked Pipes, Filters, & Pumps

When water freezes, it expands — with considerable force — by almost 10%. Much of the damage that occurs to pools and equipment during winter happens because of this; pipes split, while pumps and filters crack. To avoid this, properly blow out your pipes, drain the pump, and lower the pool's water levels below the skimmer before sealing the pool for winter. Do not leave equipment on the pool deck; store all accessories indoors.

Ice Damage to Walls & Liner

When the surface of your swimming pool freezes, the expansion can damage your pool walls and tear the liner. To avoid this, use a winter cover; it is more durable than a summer cover and offers better protection against the elements. Next, place a flotation device — a truck inner tube or pool pillow — in the pool to support the weight of the pool cover as it collects rainwater and leaves. Another benefit of the floater is it encourages ice to crack around it instead of pushing against the pool walls.

Distinctive Swimming Pools, the most experienced swimming pool maintenance and cleaning service in Litchfield County, CT, will help you winterize your pool or repair any damage that occurs during the winter season. Visit their website for contact details, or call (860) 868-3622 to discuss your pool needs with an expert.