Click on the image to enlarge.
Night temperatures keep getting lower and unless you enjoy swimming in ice-cold water, your pool won’t be used until next spring. It is always a sad day when you realize the summer is over, but you need to get yourself together and deal with the last reminder of warm summer days – your swimming pool.
Woodfield Landscaping pool experts are here today to give you tips on winterizing your pool.
1. Clean. Remove any debris, pool toys and unused chemicals, brush off any dirt and vacuum if necessary. Also remove ladders, skimmer baskets and any other detachable parts. Try to make pool as clean as possible.
2. Balance the water chemistry. Make sure the water’s pH, hardness and other chemical components are well-balanced. Purchase and apply winterizing kit. It is important to keep the water balanced over the winter to avoid unwanted deposits and scale buildup.
A tip: make sure you dissolve all the chemicals added to the water. If you throw a tablet in the pool without dissolving, it will sit in one spot for a long time and can damage the liner.
3. Unless you are using a special skimmer cover, such as Aquadoor, lower water level below the skimmers. This will prevent water from entering filtration system and damaging it in case the temperatures drop below freezing.
4. Drain water from all pool equipment: pumps, filters, heaters – everything you have hooked up to your pool. Remove plugs where applicable and use a shop vacuum to blow out all the remaining water from the pipes, tubes and other pluming components. The water you fail to remove has a potential to freeze, expand and damage your equipment.
5. Cover the pool. If you don’t already have a pool cover, purchase one and secure it over the pool. Make sure there are no gaps where dirt and leaves can get in.
Preparing your pool for winter gives you a great opportunity to thoroughly examine it. If you notice any cracks or tears in your pool liner, get in touch with your Maryland pool repair expert for the consultation. He will recommend you either to fix it up now or wait till spring. Waiting is often better, because some other damage may occur over the winter.
If you have an inground pool, this is an exciting time of year for your family. The weather is getting warm, the school year is winding down, and the invitations for summer barbeques will be coming in very shortly. To ensure that your pool is summer- ready, be sure to determine if you will need a pool liner replacement.
A pool liner should last for many years under normal conditions. It’s possible for a liner to last 10-15 years without seeing too much wear and tear. It is also possible, that with a lot of use and varying weather conditions, you may need to replace your liner more frequently. As part of your routine pool maintenance, you should examine the liner to see if it is time for a replacement.
Reasons for Replacement Liners
Cracks or Leaks in Pool Liner
If you perform a visual inspection of the pool liner and see cracking in several places, chances are good that the pool may be leaking small amounts of water through tiny holes in the pool liner. If possible, keep track of the water level throughout a week’s time. If the water line is receding more than 1 inch over the course of a week , there is most likely a leak and you will want to consider a liner replacement.
Appearance of Pool Liner
The appearance of the pool liner will be the best indicator to whether it is time for a replacement or not. Naturally, the liner will fade over time from sun exposure and the chemicals used to clean the pool. But if you are seeing algae or rust stains, you may want to consider a new liner. If these stains are only at the water line, you can probably install pool tiles to cover the stains.
Stretching of the Liner
Many times, pool liners will fall off the coping track and you may not be able to get it back in place. In instances like this, stretching may be the culprit. Over time the vinyl liner loses some of its elasticity due to the sun’s exposure and the pool chemicals, and it becomes difficult to keep the liner in its track. The old liner may sag and cause water to drain from the pool. If you are noticing this, it is definitely time to replace the liner.
Be sure to do a pool examination in the coming weeks as you re-open the pool for the summer. If you notice cracks, leaking, algae or rust, or stretching of the lining, it may be wise to call a pool contractor to get the job done before the summer months kick in.
At Woodfield Landscaping, we have been helping buyers compare and contrast the different types of Maryland pools available. Some of our customers prefer a fiber glass pool, while others prefer vinyl liners. Just as decisions in your daily life have pros and cons, there are many pros and cons in deciding on a pool type and it is important to be informed during the purchasing process.
Vinyl Liner Pools
A vinyl liner pool refers only to the interior surface of the pool. The vinyl liner is the thermoplastic used to waterproof the interior of the in-ground pool, normally having an attractive pattern to serve as the décor of the pool. Because the liner is not a part of the pool itself, it needs to be replaced when they reach the end of their design life, normally 20-25 years, but varies depending on usage.
Advantages of Vinyl Liner Pools
- Price:Initially there is a lower price due to low material costs and low labor costs.
- Customization:Vinyl Liner pools can be built to any shape or depth.
Disadvantages of Vinyl Liner Pools
- Liner Replacements: Although liner warranties usually last 20-25 years, the warranty loses its value each year. The warranty also does not cover labor and water costs, and more often than not, you will need to replace your liner more than once in that 20 year span.
- Bleaching of Liner: Although the liner may stay intact, chlorine tends to fade the color of the liner.
Fiberglass Pools
A fiberglass pool is exactly what it declares to be. It is a pool, built upon layers of fiberglass, with a surface layer of high quality gel coat that nowadays, is fade resistant.
Advantages of Fiber Glass Pools
- Lower Maintenance: Fiberglass pools use 1/3 the amount of chemicals that vinyl liner pools use and there are no liner replacements necessary.
- Aesthetics: With new mold innovations, colored finishes, and fade resistant surfaces, the fiberglass pool is and stays aesthetically pleasing.
- Long Term Cost: Because of the longevity and low maintenance, the cost over a lifetime is significantly less than that of a vinyl liner pool.
Disadvantages of Fiberglass Pools
- Shape/Depth Limitations: Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured to exact conditions. There is no customization of size, shape, and color.
- Initial Price: The initial price of a fiberglass pool will be high and is usually a drawback for many customers who can’t fathom spending the money up front.
Making a decision regarding a Maryland pool can be a big one. You may need to take into account your current budget, future budget, and the intended use of the pool. It is sure to be a tough decision, as are most decisions involving money. But with summer upon us, these are some things to consider when purchasing an in-ground pool for your first home, new home, or home of twenty years. Happy swimming!
With the summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure your pool is up to the task. Maryland landscaping company Woodfield Landscaping can provide many of the services necessary to keep any pool fully functional during the upcoming summer season. Here are several things you can do to get your pool swim-ready.
Remove the pool cover.
We hope you used one! Pool cover can significantly prolong the life of your pool. First, drain any water sitting on top of the cover to make sure it doesn’t get in the pool. Then carefully move the cover over, shake off the debris and put it away until the fall.
Clean the pool.
This should be an easy task if you had the pool covered. Make sure you remove any visible debris from the surface and bottom of the pool. Also gently wipe the part of your pool that is above the water line. You should clean this area regularly, because that’s where all the sunscreens, body oils and tan lotions end up.
Turn it on.
If you had the pool equipment off during winter, check if it’s still functional. Look for odd sounds, signs of leak or anything out of the ordinary. Clean pump and filters and examine all electrical connections. Fix any issues before using the pool.
Examine the pool liner.
If you have a pool with vinyl liner, make sure it is intact. Damaged pool liner is a very common problem. You’ll know that your liner is leaking when you notice the water line dropping. Scratches and tears on the liner’s surface (especially if it’s patterned) are often hard to find, so you might want to enlist professionals to help you detect the hole.
Once detected, the leak can usually be easily stopped. However, if you fail to find it, you will need to replace the entire liner to make the pool usable again. It is recommended to replace pool liners every seven to ten years, but it’s not a strict guideline. If there’s no obvious wear and tear, you can keep the liner, unless you want to replace it for cosmetic reasons.
Test the water.
Make sure the water contains the right balance of chemicals. If necessary, treat it with chlorine, oxidizer (shock) and salt. Over time, depending on the water’s PH levels, such solids as calcium build up at the waterline. If the water is “too hard,” you might need to drain the pool. Once it’s empty, you might as well ask your local Maryland pool service provider to thoroughly inspect it and clean.
Besides guaranteeing you safe seeming, the proper balance of chemicals is vital for prolonging the lifespan of your pool. However, it is recommended to change pool water every three to five years.
With proper maintenance, owning a pool is not very difficult. Woodfield Landscaping can provide adequate services in regards to all aspects of maintaining a pool. From replacing liners to plastering and renovation, we cover it all.
