As the weather gets cooler and swimming activities slow down, it’s easy to put maintenance for your commercial pool on the back burner. But the off-season can be the best time to check your pool and ensure everything is in good condition!
The cooler season is a great time to complete any necessary repairs or maintenance before the busier summer season. You can also plan for and schedule any big-ticket renovations or needed repairs. Explore some ways to keep your pool in tip-top condition during the off-season.
Prevent Freezing
While not a huge problem in our area, freezing temperatures can still happen here in sunny Florida! Keeping your pool’s system running during the off-season is essential to prevent freezing and damage. You should check all the pipes, filters, and other equipment to ensure they are not at risk of freezing.
The best way is to invest in a freeze protector. This device monitors the water temperature in a pool and automatically turns on the pump and heater when the water temperature drops below a certain point. Freeze protectors are vital in commercial pools because they can prevent the pool from freezing over and the pump and heater from being damaged by freezing temperatures. Even in warmer climates where the risk of freezing is minimal, it’s a good idea to have some freeze protection plan.
Add Winterizing Chemicals
As swimming activity slows in winter, you’ll want to add some chemicals to prevent algae growth and corrosion of fittings and other equipment in your pool. This procedure requires using specific products designed for the pool’s waters and knowing exactly how much of each chemical you need to add and when. For example, algaecide kills algae and prevents algae blooms during the off-season. You can also use stain-prevention chemicals to ensure your pool water remains clear.
Other chemicals include:
- Sanitizer
- Alkalinity increaser & decreaser
- Pool enzymes
- Metal sequestrate
- pH regulator
Check Pool Equipment and Items
Slower pool activity is an excellent opportunity to inspect the pool equipment and items to ensure they are in good working order. A thorough inspection should include all of the following:
- Ladders – Make sure ladders are secure and not leaning against walls or posts.
- Tubs – Inspect tubs for cracks or leaks. If there is any concern about a leak, turn off the water supply to the pool and call a professional for repairs.
- Pumps – Check all pumps for proper operation. Clean out debris from pumps if needed.
- Skimmers – Make sure that your gateway to your pool’s filtration system works correctly – or they may create foamy bubbles in your pool water.
- Pool pump – Ensure that your pump is not clogged and is maintained thoroughly, ready for the summer season.
- Pool leveler – Ensure that your pool leveler is in optimal condition to ensure appropriate water levels.
If you find any problems with your pool during the off-season, it is best to call a professional to fix the issue as soon as possible. By doing this, you can avoid significant problems during the summer when your pool is in use.
Clean Debris On and Around the Pool Cover
Decreased pool activity means a high possibility of debris accumulation. It is always important to remove any debris from the pool. Debris includes leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other materials that may have fallen into the pool. It would be best if you also cleaned out any collected debris on the bottom of the pool cover if you use one.
Clean Your Pool Surfaces
It’s essential to clean all surfaces of your pool during the off-season. Use an all-purpose cleaner or a chlorine sanitizer to sanitize these surfaces, and then rinse them thoroughly with water. You want to ensure that no dirt or algae remain in these areas.
You can also use a scrub brush or power washer if necessary for stubborn stains or algae growths on your vinyl liner or fiberglass walls of your above-ground swimming pool.
With these tips and an intentional renovation/repair plan for your pool, your downtime can be put to good use to get the most out of your commercial pool for many more seasons!