Summer has come and past. You have enjoyed frolicking under the sun and made good use of your new pool. However, all good things come to an end. It is time to pack up the swimsuits as fall and winter approach.
As the season changes and the days becomes colder, how should you prep your pool? Here are some tips to protect your pool from environmental elements that may damage it.
Seal Cracks
You may not notice it, but concrete responds to temperature fluctuations. When it is hot, the material expands. When it is cold, it shrinks.
That is why, after some time, you may notice cracks on the deck. Not to worry, though, because these cracks can be fixed easily. Use a pool deck sealer that can withstand seasonal changes. This way, you would not have to worry about water from the rain getting underneath the surface and creating a bigger problem next summer.
To apply, clean the surface that you want to seal. There should not be any moisture. You may have to drain the water first before you can treat the cracked concrete. Then, you can spread the product evenly and let it dry.
Inspect Your Skimmer Basket
Fall means there would be a lot of trees shedding their leaves. The wind may be bringing these leaves to your pool area and clogging up the skimmer basket.
When the skimmer basket is clogged, water would not go through properly which may damage the pump. In short, it will cause a problem that would require major — and expensive — repairs.
It is recommended that you check the skimmer basket regularly and clean out the debris that accumulates in it. Just empty the bag more frequently leading to and during the fall and winter seasons.
Remove All Items
The things that you enjoyed during summer should all be packed and placed in storage during fall and winter. That includes the ladders, diving boards, slides, toys, and other accessories that you may have used and remained in the pool.
Leaving them outside might make them look weathered and old pretty fast. Keep them somewhere safe and protected from environmental elements in the meantime.
Cover Your Pool
Covering your pool before fall will save you from headaches later on. You would not have to worry about debris getting blown into your pool and clogging your skimmer basket in the first if you covered your pool early. You also will be able to cut down on the cost of chemicals used to clean the water if you have a pool cover in place. In addition, you also will save money from covering your pool by reducing the need for heating because it protects from the dropping temperatures outside your doors.
However, it is important to also give your pool a chance to “breathe” during the fall and winter seasons. Your pool is filled with chemicals to the brim. Covering it traps the chemical, causing a build-up that will not be good for your health when inhaled. Consider airing your pool at least once a week.
The work of maintaining your pool does not end with summer. Having a pool, while fun, requires a lot of time and effort to care for. It is quite an expensive investment that needs your attention throughout the year.
