As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, it is time to accept that summer is slowly coming to an end. Of course, you have made the most of your vinyl liner swimming pool, spending hours enjoying the cool crystal clear water – but now that winter is on its way, there is one important question on your mind.
How do I winterize my pool’s water features? Let us at Prestige Pools give you expert advice on how to ensure your pool is made winter-ready.
What is Winterizing a Pool’s Water Features?
Once you have had your time in the sun and the chill creeps into the air, your pool temperature is going to steadily drop until the swimming season eventually ends. Most people believe their only option at this point is to drain their pool, but this isn’t so.
Winterizing a pool and its water features entails a list of specific tasks including; lowering the water level, using specialized balancing chemicals, and emptying the lines to water features, in order to maintain the pool’s integrity and prevent any damage during the off-season.
You can read these blog tips on How to Winterize Your Vinyl Liner Pool and Balancing Pool Chemicals For Different Seasons, to safely prepare your pool for the cold weather without draining it.
What Are the Water Features You Should Winterize?
Vinyl liner swimming pools can be fitted with a number of different water features designed to make swimming in the water all that much more enjoyable. However, as much joy as they bring, they need to be correctly winterized to ensure you are able to appreciate them again next year.
Here is a list of water features you need to winterize should you have them:
Slides- Waterfalls
- Deck jets
- Laminars
- Cascades
- Fountains
- Ponds
- Any feature that requires the pumping and use of water outside of the pool
SlidesHow Do I Winterize My Pool’s Water Features?
In order to prevent frozen and/or damaged water features, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure they remain in tip-top shape throughout the colder months.
Clean Your Pool
The first step to winterizing your pool is cleaning it. Use your net to remove any debris on both the surface and the bottom of the pool. Doing this will help simplify the rest of the winterizing process.
Drain Your Features
Even though your water features are designed to withstand the cold, they must be free of water to do so. Once temperatures drop below freezing, any liquid remaining within your water feature and the pump can potentially damage the structures as it expands and contracts and when turning into ice.
Remove Water Feature Hardware
Water features come with pumps that will crack if they are filled with frozen water. Remove your pump and any tubing and make sure to clean them well in order to prevent any buildup. Once these are dry you can store them indoors away from the elements until they are ready to be used again the next year.
Thoroughly Clean Your Water Features
Now your water feature is free of water and no longer active, this is the ideal time to give it a proper cleaning. Be as thorough as you can because any algae, dirt, and debris can cause bacteria growth. Cleaning your water feature now will make life a lot easier when you are ready to use it again next summer.
Cover Your Pool
This step is up to you. Using a cover can certainly make it easier to take care of your pool over the winter, but it is also entirely possible to leave it uncovered over the winter. Read some tips on Maintaining Your Pool During the Winter Months Without Closing to get a better idea of what you would like to do with yours.
Additional Water Feature Tips
Not all pool water features are designed the same. Due to their varying sizes, materials, and structures, you may need to prepare yours a little differently. It is a good idea to research just how to do so to ensure yours remain safe and well taken care of.
Request a Free Quote for a Vinyl Liner Swimming Pool Installation
Do you want to give your backyard a makeover and turn it into your own private retreat during the summer months? We are here to help you! Call us today at 919-586-8556 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a quote for vinyl liner swimming pool installation in Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Garner, Knightdale, Coats, Middlesex, Wilson Mills, Four Oaks, Wendell, Zebulon, and the surrounding areas.