Winter swimming pool: the 9 mistakes to avoid!

Neglecting your pool in winter

The swimming pool is your favourite equipment in the summer, but when the cold winter comes, you start to forget about it, or even neglect it for good. And yet, winterizing your pool is a crucial step, regardless of its type: above ground or underground.

The reasons? Efficient wintering allows you to :

• Ensure the efficiency of the structure and all the equipment (from the pump to the walls through the piping, the liner and the skimmers), and prevent frost.
• Maintain water quality and prevent it from turning greenish when spring comes.
• Above all and above all, to save time and money!

There are 2 types of wintering :

• "Active wintering" which consists in running the pool at idle speed by letting the filtration system run daily, while monitoring the temperature when it approaches level 0. 
• “Passive overwintering", which involves shutting down the filtration system, completely purifying the pipes and using a tarpaulin to cover the pool. In addition to the indoor, inflatable and freestanding pools that are usually stored during the winter, all above-ground and underground non-removable outdoor pools must undergo overwintering.

Draining the pool completely

It is often said: "Winter is coming, the pool won't be useful, so we might as well empty it of its water". ERROR.

Draining your pool completely damages its efficiency and causes irreversible negative effects on its structure.

The reasons? The balance between the pressure of the ground and the quantity of water in tons contributes to the protection of the pool walls. If you empty it, the walls will deform rapidly at the risk of breaking the entire pool structure. Even if the pool is fitted with a liner, this water pressure is essential to keep the liner in place.

Wintering too early

As soon as the temperature oscillates between 12 and 15°, it is necessary to start wintering the pool.

• Why not before that? This temperature difference is very important to avoid algae growth. If you start wintering too early, the water will transform and you will have to recover its quality in the spring.
• Why not afterwards? Wintering too late is also a mistake because the water will suffer the first frosts.

Covering the pool with a bubble cover during the winter

Covering the pool with a bubble cover during the winter is not recommended.

The reasons? This cover does not withstand the winter cold. It is rather suitable for summer. For the winter, it is better to opt for a "winter cover", a "bar cover" or an automatic cover. This will keep your pool free of foliage that can soil the liner and accumulate at the bottom of the pool.

Wintering an unclean pool

The " cleaning of the pool is mandatory before wintering": cleaning of the walls, the bottom, the filter systems, the water line, the skimmers and the pump's pre-filter.

The reasons? In order to avoid too tiring a cleaning in the spring season.

Omitting to use a good wintering product

It is necessary to use the right product to ensure the active or passive wintering of the pool.

Why? Choosing the right product will prevent bacteria and especially algae from growing in your pond. This product also prevents lime deposits on the walls. Thanks to its long-lasting quality, the product used offers better water stabilisation during the winter. It will also make it easier to restart the pool in the spring. The same wintering product will help to clean the pool, counter wash the filter, adjust the pH and stop the usual disinfection. It also participates in the shock treatment (see the instructions for the selected wintering product).

Neglecting the use of antifreeze products

The installation of anti-freeze accessories such as " gizmos", " floats", " winter plugs" and an anti-freeze box is of paramount importance.

Keeping a large quantity of pool water during passive wintering

If you choose passive overwintering, it is necessary to completely empty the water contained in the filtration system (pump, filter, pipes, ...), and then lower the water level under the delivery pipes and the brush socket.

The reasons? To preserve the quality of the pipes by avoiding the risks of freezing, cracks and even breakage. It is also necessary to complete this process by insulating the pipes.

Delaying the restarting of your pool

As for winter storage, the ideal temperature difference for restarting the pool is : 12/12°C, no more and no less!

The reasons? If you take too much time, the water will automatically heat up and may turn into cloudy or green water. And as you know, this could lead to the development of bacteria and algae. We wish you a good wintering!