In upstate New York the big danger to a pool isn't summer, it's winter. Water expands when it freezes. If water is left in the pipes, the pump, the filter or the heater, it can crack them, and those repairs aren't cheap. A good closing gets the water out of everything that can freeze.
When to close
Most pools around Syracuse close between mid-September and mid-October. A good target is when the water stays below about 65 degrees. Closing too early while it's still warm can let algae grow under the cover. Closing too late risks an early freeze.
What happens during a closing
- Balance the water and add winter chemicals
- Lower the water level if your cover type needs it
- Blow out the plumbing lines with air and plug the returns and skimmers
- Add pool antifreeze where needed
- Drain and winterize the pump, filter, heater or heat pump and salt cell
- Store loose parts like ladders, rails and baskets
- Install the winter or safety cover tight and secure
Mistakes that cost money in spring
- Not blowing out the lines fully, then a pipe cracks in January
- Leaving the heater or pump full of water
- A loose cover that lets leaves and debris in
- Skipping the winter chemicals, which leads to a green opening
- Draining a fiberglass pool. Never empty a fiberglass pool to close it; groundwater can push it up
Cover options
Mesh safety covers let rain and snow melt through and are light to handle. Solid covers keep the water cleaner but collect water on top that needs pumping. Automatic covers are the easiest day to day. In heavy snow areas like Cicero, Brewerton or Pompey, a strong, properly anchored cover matters even more.
We blow out every line and close it right, so spring is easy.
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