Some Fall Pool Closing Tips for the Hudson Valley Before Winter Sets In
What sort of condition is your pool in for another Hudson Valley winter? You would not want to find out what a hard freeze does to water left in your lines. Then there is the matter of springtime and having to put up with a green, murky mess.
We have been in the business of building and servicing pools in this part of the Mid-Hudson Valley for more than six decades now. Galati Pools & Spas has been at it since 1962. Should you be in any doubt as to the proper way to close your pool this fall, pick up the phone at (845) 723-9201. We are an A+ rated and accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, fully licensed and insured.
There is nothing more important for your pool in the course of a year than a good fall closing. Do it by the book and opening day in the spring will be no trouble at all. Not so if you do it poorly; cracked pipes, a stained liner or the cost of equipment repairs can result. The team here has some tips on how to see your pool through the cold.
Do Your Timing
We put down to experience most of the mistakes we come across, like a pool being closed too soon. As long as the water is warm the algae will go right on growing under the cover, leaving you with a swamp in March.
In the Hudson Valley the rule of thumb is to let the water get down to 60 degrees or less on a consistent basis before you act. That tends to be an October affair, but it is not the same every year. Heed the forecast and make sure you are done before a serious freeze comes, yet while the water is cool enough that it is not feeding algae.
Put the Water in Balance
You need to have the chemistry in order before putting a cover on. Properly balanced water is what will see your surfaces and liner through the winter.
Check these off:
- pH in the right range
- Total alkalinity in balance to ward off scaling or corrosion
- Sanitizer put in order for the off-season
- Calcium hardness where it should be
- Some winterizing algaecide in the water
- A shock to deal with any contaminants
Not certain of your numbers? Drop by our Newburgh showroom with a sample. We can do an analysis right there and have the BioGuard and SpaGuard products to hand to put things in balance.
Make a Thorough Cleaning of the Pool
It is easier to reopen a pool that was well cleaned, and you will not be inviting stains or algae.
- Skim the surface of leaves and the like
- Give the floor and walls a brush
- See that the bottom is vacuumed
- Get the skimmer and pump baskets empty
- Put away ladders, rails and such
Clear the Lines and Lower the Water
Water in the plumbing is going to expand and freeze if you leave it, which will crack your pipes. It is among the priciest problems we put right in the spring.
Bring the water down to the level your pool and cover call for. Add pool antifreeze as you must and blow out the lines. Any equipment holding water, from the heater to the filter and pump, should be drained. Homeowners are prone to make an error of judgment here and pay for it. If in any way you are not sure, call us in.
Look After Your Equipment
The pump, heater and filter are no small investment. Fully drain the larger pieces and put smaller ones inside if you can. A cover over exposed equipment is a good safeguard from the snow and ice.
A Cover Done Right
A decent cover will block the sunlight and debris that algae needs. Make sure yours is fitted tight and can stand up to the winds in the Hudson Valley. Now and then in the winter have a look to be rid of any standing water or heavy snow.
Leave it to the Pros
With all the parts involved in a fall closing, one oversight can be damaging. All too often the work we do in the spring is to put right a closing that was done in a hurry. Our team knows what a Hudson Valley winter is like; we have been doing this since 1962.
We are at your service in Gardnertown, Montgomery, Newburgh, New Paltz, New Windsor, Plattekill, Washingtonville and environs. Stop by between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday or 10 and 1 on Saturday.
For a proper close or to ask us something, Galati Pools & Spas can be reached at (845) 723-9201. Let our licensed and insured people put the protection on your pool that is called for, and make the spring opening an event to be looked forward to.
