When should you close your pool?

Summer doesn’t end officially until 9/22 and so many folks think that swimming pools should be closed immediately after Labor Day.  Aqua Pros is here to offer some professional pool closing advice. We do not recommend closing until water temperatures are below 60 degrees and the leaves are ready to fall (after the first week of October).

Solid covered pools may be closed earlier as long as the water is clear, balanced, and properly treated.     
Mesh covered pools should not be closed before leaves start to fall or later (10/15) and will most likely have green algae by springtime, perhaps even if a winter shock is applied if they’re closed before this time.  We urge folks to delay their closing time as long as they’re willing.  If the pool must be covered, we suggest not winterizing, but only covering the pool and running the pump a limited time each day until water temperatures drop below 60 degrees. 

 Keep Pool Water Warmer and Swim Later  

Add BioGuard Smart Shield now to keep your pool water warmer and swim longer!  Smart Shield works to keep heat in that you get from the sunlight during the day and prevents a drastic temperature loss during the cool nights. Solar Blankets will heat the water and keep it warm these beautiful late summer days. They also prevent evaporative water loss, which saves you on water and on chemicals. Did you know that the most evaporation occurs in the spring and fall? When the temperature is bouncing up during the day and down at night. With water evaporation comes the addition of fresh water and the need to balance out chemicals. 
CAUTION: When using a solar cover, chlorine levels can build up quickly and damage vinyl liners and other pool equipment. Ensure that you are monitoring your chlorine level closely and adjusting accordingly when using a solar blanket. You will most likely need to decrease the amount of chlorine tablets/sticks you keep in the water or, if you are using an ECG (electrolytic chlorine generator), you will need to decrease the chlorine production. Solar Blankets do not keep dirt out of pools. In fact, any dirt and debris that gets on top of the cover typically falls in the water when you remove the cover.  Pool cleaners can be operated while solar blankets are on the pool.  *BE CAREFUL IF THERE ARE SMALL CHILDREN AROUND. NEVER SWIM while a Solar blanket is on the pool. 
 
Free Winterization with Purchase of a New SAFETY COVER 

Purchase a NEW swimming pool safety cover from AQUA PROS and we’ll install the cover and perform the winterization at no additional charge (purchase of installation required, chemicals Not included).   
SOLID Safety Covers are now available in the LITE PRO version, as well as the standard solid, from our manufacturer.  I’ve found that folks are very happy with these solid covers, primarily because they keep dirt and debris out, and they prevent off season algae growth.   
I prefer the regular mesh cover for its light weight and ease of handling. In order to maximize the investment and life of the winter cover, it must be properly sized, installed and stored properly over the summer. 
Proper installation:  The cover must fit the pool shape and dimensions.  Many retailers sell rectangular shaped covers to fit pools with extensions or irregular shapes. Covers with too much overlap (2’ or more) will wear abnormally on the area exposed to the patio surface. Spring tension must be adjusted properly as well. The pool water level must be no more than the manufacturer’s recommendation below the cover (usually 16”-18”) for winter. 

Proper Pool Closing Is Critical to the Long Life of Your Pool and Pool Equipment  

 At Aqua Pros, we think of pool closing as an annual checkup by the pool professional.  If you use our professionally trained service department only once a year, have us close your pool.  We have a 21 Point Pool Closing Checklist developed by Bob Davis, after over 30 years’ experience closing thousands of pools.  Bob identified 21 critical items common to most pools that are essential for proper pool winterization.  Aqua Pros’ service techs perform closings from our written checklist of those 21 points and are required to fill one out for each pool as proof of a proper closing.  Aqua Pros’ pool closing will give you peace of mind over the harshest winter, that your pool and pool equipment will be safe from freezing. In addition, spring opening should be a breeze when your pool’s been properly closed. 
Aqua Pros has 3 Levels of Pool Closings to help every pool owner get the closing that’s right for their needs.  Call our Award-Winning Service department for details or to schedule a closing. 
Our knowledgeable retail staff has the ability to help you do-it-yourselfers perform your own closing.  If you feel good about closing your own pool, come in to any of our 3 Locations in Salem/Roanoke, Bedford, or Lynchburg for guidance on how to make sure your pool is closed properly, suffers no winter freeze damage, and that next spring’s opening is as smooth as possible.  You’ll want to be sure and bring a water sample to have it thoroughly analyzed, and we’ll give you a complete print out detailing exactly how to treat your pool at winterization. 
Aqua Pros is a BioGuard Platinum Dealer and has all the fine BioGuard products to balance and protect your pool water and equipment from winter’s cold. 

Call today to schedule your pool closing or winter cover install! 434-237-5913 option 2