A No-Leak New Year

There are two types of pool owners: those who never think about their pool during winter, and those who constantly think about it because they can’t wait to start using it again. Whichever camp you fall into, taking care of maintenance now ensures your pool is ready to use and leak-free when summer arrives.

Here are the top winter pool maintenance tips to get your pool ready for wet, fun.

Why Winter Maintenance?

Most people think about summer pool maintenance, but forget about winter. But don’t ignore winter maintenance to ensure your pool is ready on day one when summer arrives and won’t leak.

Depending on the climate, winter creates harsh conditions that can damage the pool if you don't stay on top of maintenance. Freezing temperatures can cause water to expand, rupturing pipes and leading to leaks. Hairline cracks that start during winter can become major leaks once you open the pool and restore pressure.

Winter neglect also allows water chemistry to fall out of balance for months. Acidic or highly alkaline water can corrode metal parts, degrade rubber seals, and damage surfaces. You might not notice these issues during winter, but you will when equipment fails when you start it up for the season.

Winter Maintenance Tips

Winterize the Plumbing

Most pool leaks happen after winter because the plumbing lines froze. Water left in pipes, pumps, or filters can freeze, expand, and cause equipment to crack. Before winter, or during a warm spell in winter, drain the water from the return lines, skimmers, pumps, heaters, and filters. Blow out the lines with compressed air, and plug the lines to stop water from getting back in.

This is necessary because even a tiny amount of water can cause hidden cracks that won’t show up until you start the system up in summer.

Maintain the Right Water Level

Too much water in the pool can put undue pressure on the walls and skimmer during freeze-thaw cycles. Too little water can cause liners to shrink or crack.

Lower the water level just below the skimmer opening before winter to prevent ice from expanding into the skimmer and causing leaks and to protect the vinyl liner and pool surface.

Get a High-Quality Pool Cover

Yes, pool covers can be expensive, so it’s natural to want to go for a bargain, but cheaping out on this can be a disaster. A durable, properly fitted cover is the first line of defense against winter damage. It keeps out debris, reduces algae, and minimizes water evaporation.

Good pool covers fit tightly with no gaps, are securely anchored to keep out snow and wind, and are checked regularly to ensure there aren't any snags or tears.

Balance Water Chemistry

It's normal to stop maintaining water chemistry once the pool's closed for the summer, but unbalanced water can damage the pool surfaces and equipment. Make sure you adjust the pH, alkalinity, and calcium before closing the pool and add winterizing chemicals or algaecide to prevent unwanted growth. Also, shock the pool to remove contaminants.

Maintaining water balance can prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and surface damage that could lead to leaks or equipment failure.

Protect Against Freezing Temperatures

If you can, remove pumps, filters, heaters, and chlorinators and store them inside for winter.

If you can’t remove these systems, make sure they’re completely drained and covered with weather-resistant materials.

If you live in a milder climate, use freeze protection settings or timers to circulate water during cold snaps to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.