Winter Maintenance: Preventing Algae Growth

Winter months can be hard on pool owners. You might not be able to use your pool until the warm weather arrives, and this can be a bit challenging since many pool owners wait until the end of the season to schedule their services.

Even with the abundance of water available in the spring, swimming pools can still cause various issues. One of these includes the algae bloom that can turn a pool into a toxic green water tank.

While it’s possible that your pool is green due to a variety of factors, regular maintenance can help prevent it from happening.

During the pool closing season, issues with the chemistry can be resolved to ensure that everything is good for the upcoming opening.

 

My Pool Is Green: Why?

Green pool water is a common sign of algae growth. It can also mean that something is not working properly in the pool.

If the water in your pool doesn’t freeze, it can still develop algae. This is why it’s important to shock the pool at the end of the season.

When it’s time to close up the pool, make sure to shock the water to prevent it from becoming a home for algae.

Over the winter, pool chemistry can become unbalanced if the contaminants get into the water and the temperature rises. Winterizing chemicals are also needed to prevent this issue.

Take Care of Your Pool Chemical Balance

To prevent algae growth, you should maintain a balanced chemical balance in your pool during the winter.

These simple steps can help keep your pool water clear and algae-free during the winter months.

 

Professional Pool Closing Services

Winterizing chemicals are commonly used to prevent the formation of algae in green pools. Winterizing also involves draining the lines and storing the pool equipment in a safe place.

Most pool companies offer various maintenance programs that include keeping your pool clean and balanced. These services are usually offered for people who are too busy or do not want to deal with the details themselves.

 

Use A Strong Pool Cover

A well-installed pool cover will keep your pool clean and algae-free during the winter season. However, it's important to note that pool covers can also serve as a deterrent to other contaminants.

 

Keep It Clean

Professional pool covers are usually sturdier than tarps and other forms of covers to ensure the safety of the people around the pool. A mesh safety cover is an alternative to a sturdy pool cover. This type of cover is porous and allows water to easily flow through.

If you have a pool cover that automatically covers the top of the deck, fill it up to 8 inches from the pool’s top. You can also use a submersible pump to keep the water from flowing into the pool.

Regardless of the type of cover that you have, it’s important to regularly clean it. To keep it looking clean, blow the leaves and debris off the pool cover using a soft car cleaner and a hose.

 

Keep Balance

Winter exposure to chlorine can cause algae blooms if the pool is not properly covered. To prevent this, check the water's chemical balance every 2 to 3 weeks.

 

Add More Chemicals

Since winterizing chemicals last for about five months, adding more to your pool water can help prevent algae growth. When the ice in your pool begins to melt, these chemicals will help prevent the algae from growing.

 

 

This post was originally published on HB Pools

 

If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!

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