Now that your pool is closed

Now That Your Pool is Closed …

You still must take care of it.

I recently observed a family putting a winter cover on their above-ground pool despite it having only four inches of water in it. At most. It probably has a slow leak in it that they have decided to deal with next spring. They labored to get the cover on as it was sagging down four feet in the middle. With much effort they finally secured the winter cover cable under the top rails.

Succinctly, their pool is likely doomed. Winter covers are designed to rest on top of water. The pool in question was a twenty-four-foot in diameter round pool and one inch of water (approximately 285 gallons) weighs over 2300 pounds. That cover will never support the weight. Best case scenario, the cover rips out from the stress. Worst case scenario: The cover holds and the pool frame and wall are pulled in, destroying the pool.

This was in Michigan where I was visiting family. I had no business intervening but couldn’t help but doing so. When I told them their error the owner looked at me like I was possessed, smiled, and went inside his house without further words being spoken. I drove by the next day,and the pool was already showing signs of stress as one wall section was crimping in after a dewy morning.

Check your pool frequently during the winter.

It’s not common, but a pinhole in the liner can allow water levels to drop slowly. If it seems like this is happening, add some water under the winter cover via a garden hose. Also, keep an eye on the winter cover where it goes over the wall. If it gets tighter every week, this could be evidence of a slow leak.

More likely.

Winter covers take a lot of abuse. Ice, snow, bitter cold—all make a cover more brittle. Be extremely careful if you are scooping leaves off with your leaf net. If you put a cover pump on top of the cover, place it on gently. Don’t use the hand grenade method to place it out in the middle. Easy does it.

If there is a tree nearby, a small branch or twig could even punch a small hole in the cover. Then when you pump water off the winter cover you unknowingly pull water up through the cover, effectively lowering the water level inside the pool. If your water level seems too low after water on top is pumped off, try to find the hole. It’s a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack but worth the effort. There are winter cover patch kits that are easy to apply. At worst, put the garden hose under the winter cover and add water.

Easily forgotten.

If you have a sand filter, or for that matter, any filter that has a drain plug, remember to remove the drain plug and leave it out. I recommend storing it in the hair and lint basket in the pump housing on the front of the motor. Don’t screw it back in. Water can continue to accumulate inside the tank, and it must be allowed to drain. Make sure that water drains out when you remove the drain plug. A calcium buildup or debris inside could clog the exit port.

If you leave your pump and motor outside, make sure to remove all drain plugs and put them in the hair and lint pot basket, too. If your pool has a heater, it probably has a drain plug. Get it out and leave it out. Auto chlorinator? Ditto.

In short, don’t allow water to accumulate in anything that can hold water. Water expands when it freezes. It doesn’t take a lot of expansion to crack plastic housing components.

In short …

Just because the swimming season is only a pleasant memory doesn’t mean you can ignore your pool. A little due diligence can save you big heartaches and an even bigger out-of-pocket expense. If you have questions, see the pool professionals at Eastgate Pools & Spas for help and advice which is always free.