How to Protect Your Inground Pool From Harsh Weather

It’s all fun and games when the weather is sunny and hot, but do you know what to do to protect your inground pool from harsh, cold, rainy winter weather? Swimming pools do not like the extreme cold – there are so many things that the cold can do to damage your pool and equipment. That’s why Anthony and Sylvan recommends that inground pool owners be proactive and take steps to close their pools during the winter months.

In addition to closing your pool at the right time, Anthony and Sylvan is sharing other expert tips on how to protect your inground pool from harsh weather like hurricanes, heavy rain and wind, thunderstorms, hail, snow and more.

Winterizing Your Pool

When a pool is not being used, it’s essential to close it for the season.

Water Balance

Begin by testing your water for balance. Water balance is composed of three essential parts: pH levels, total alkalinity levels, and calcium hardness levels. You need to make sure these elements are all balanced before you move on to other steps in the pool closing process.

Winterizing Chemicals

Add a winterizing chemical kit to your pool to protect it from the harsh cold weather.

Drain Water From Pipes

You’ll also want to make sure the water is drained from your pipes and that they remain under pressure all winter. This way, you avoid lines filling with water and freezing when the temperatures dip below 32 degrees for extended periods of time.

Best Use of a Pool Cover

In colder areas, pool closing is designed to protect your pool from snow, debris, and animals. Ensure that your winter pool cover is securely attached to your pool.

Inground pools need to have water bags secured, the custom winter cover tied down, and all safety components in place.

Check for Debris

Periodically remove all debris from your pool cover. You may also want to use a pool brush to get snow off your pool cover, as this excess weight can cause damage to your pool. An automatic cover pump helps remove excess water or snow from the cover top to reduce strain on the anchors or the cover itself.

Be Careful of Ice on Your Pool Cover

Ice can also form on the top of the pool cover, but you will want to wait until it melts or thaws to remove it. Breaking up the ice into shards can cause your pool cover to rip or tear, ruining it.

Ongoing Chemistry Checks

For most pools, when your pool is not in use, it’s a good practice to check your pool chemistry every two months. Improperly balanced pools can be a breeding ground for algae and bacteria growth.

If your pool is under two years old, however, you’ll want to check the pool chemistry’s more often – about once a month. Eliminate the hassle of these checks by utilizing Anthony and Sylvan’s Cover Watch Service. This winter maintenance package includes ongoing checks regarding pool chemistry, debris, leaks and more.

How to Protect a Pool From Bad Thunderstorms and Hurricanes

If there is a thunderstorm or hurricane approaching, you don’t need to immediately drain your inground pool. Here are some tips to keep in mind if a bad storm is approaching:

Shut Off Power to the Pool

If a major thunderstorm hits, and the temperature outside is above 38 degrees Fahrenheit, you may want to turn off the power to protect pool equipment like pool pumps, timers, heaters, and pool lights.

Be Proactive If Flooding is a Concern

If flooding is a concern, you may want to pull the pump and tightly wrap the motor with heavy plastic to keep water out. If you have a heater or other large equipment to protect in low lying areas, build a low wall of sand bags around the equipment.

Remove the Pool Cover

Leaving the pool cover off your inground pool may not be your first instinct, but strong storms can come with substantial winds, which can take down tree branches, throw patio furniture, and other movable things around. You can prevent damage to the pool and cover simply by leaving the pool cover off if storms are looming before you winterize.

Keep Pools Protected Amidst Freezing Temperatures

Snow storms and temperatures that are around freezing or below can be very harmful to your inground pool. The best thing you can do in the event of a blizzard, or if the outside temperature starts dropping below freezing, is to run your pool’s pump 24 hours a day.

You can also contact Anthony and Sylvan if you have any questions as bad weather approaches. Our Winter Watch Services keep inground pools safe throughout the coldest months of the year.

Learn More about Anthony and Sylvan’s Pool Owner Services

Are you looking to protect your inground pool from harsh weather or close it for the season? Let the experts at Anthony and Sylvan Pools handle it for you. Our experienced service technicians will exceed your expectations and gracefully handle your pool closing, cleaning, safety cover installation and more.

We even have winter watch services designed to help protect your inground pool from harsh winter weather. Learn more about our pool owner services online or contact us today for more information.