Here in Bullhead City, Arizona along the Colorado River the afternoon temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy a dip in the swimming pool. But if you are a fan of the morning walkabout, run, or bicycle ride you feel the chill of fall.
So, if you don’t have a heated pool, it might be time to give thought to winterizing. And if you have a heated swimming pool, it might be time to give thought to winterizing.
Don’t jump the gun. Prepping the pool to early may result in the develop of mold or algae. But a general rule of thumb is that when the temperatures are consistently below 65 degrees Fahrenheit it’s time to winterize.
The process starts with the basics, one phone call to Baron Services, the Colorado River Vally pool specialists.
The first step in winterizing pools begins with the accessories such as ladders, brushes, skimmer baskets, and steps. They will need to be scrubbed and cleaned in a manner that prevents the growth of mold or algae before storage for the winter.
It may seem simplistic to say that the next step is to remove all leaves, silt, dirt, and other debris, and then scrub the sides and bottom. But this step is imperative if the water chemistry is to be balanced. And that is key to ensuring that the swimming pool does not become an algae farm.
Proper water chemistry is crucial. This is another reason to retain the professionals at Baron Services for proper winterization of the swimming pool.
As the pool will be exposed to more sunny days than cloudy days, even in the months of winter, alkalinity and calcium levels will be affected. In rough numbers the alkalinity should be between 80 and 150 parts per million. The pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6 ppm, and the calcium hardness level is between 175 and 225 ppm. Proper chlorine levels also need to be set, and checked on a regular basis.
In the Colorado River Valley a hard freeze is an historic event. But if you live in the Kingman area, or the Hualapai Mountain foothills, freezing temperatures in the morning are common. So, to prevent damage from freezing, the water levels need to be lowered.
One of the last steps is the addition of specialized chemical blends which curtails the growth of bacteria and algae. A proper blend is derived by determining chlorine levels.
For winterizing an above ground swimming pool, many of the processes are the same. But, obviously, there will be certain steps that are unique to this type of pool.
If all of this seems rather complicated, there are no worries. Simply take a deep breath, call Baron Services, and relax. They are the professionals with a reputation for quality service. They will winterize your swimming pool, and next spring get it ready for the first dip or pool party.
Written by Jim Hinckley and Jim Hinckley’s America