Winter is coming. It is time to prepare the pool and yard, and Baron Services has
everything you need.
All pool owners are aware of the importance of regular cleanings and filter service during the months of summer but did you know that it is even more important to properly prepare your pool before the winds of winter sweep across the desert?
Obviously the process of winterizing the pool is a bit different in Arizona than it is in Minnesota. Still, the need to properly close your pool for the winter, and to ensure that next spring the service need is minimal, is just as important.
Unless you have a heated pool chances are that it will not be used during the months of winter. Still many Arizona residents choose to keep the pool open all year on the off chance that there will be opportunity for use during the relatively mild winter. In either case a follow up to routine maintenance is the first step.
Cooler temperatures lead to a faster increase in pH levels, and as a result balancing these levels requires more frequent attention. Failure to maintain proper levels, especially in winter, makes the pool more prone to staining. In addition to maintaining proper pH levels, winterizing the pool requires extensive cleaning of the skimmer baskets and filters, as well as brushing and vacuuming the sides and bottom to remove oil and scum lines. Failure to properly prepare the pool for winter will lead to the growth of algae, especially under a pool cover, which in turn can lead to large repair and maintenance bills next spring. It is recommended that pH levels be tested several times per month during winter.
With a proper pH balance established the next step is to adjust the schedule for chlorination. During the months of summer ultraviolet rays from the sun breakdown and evaporate the chlorine. In the months of winter there is not as much direct sunlight, especially if the pool is covered, or people swimming in the pool so the quantity and frequency of chlorine is diminished. As an example, from April to October you might be using three tablets per week whereas from October to March this might be cut back to one tablet.
Cleaning D.E. grids and cartridge elements with an approved cleanser, and then hosing them is crucial for curbing bacterial growth, and deterring scale buildup as well as corrosion. It is also important to back wash the sand filters, especially in Arizona. Then water levels can be set lower than the skimmers and return.
No, let’s turn our attentions to the yard and irrigation systems. Without proper planning, preparation, and maintenance, even in the deserts of Arizona winter weather can wreak havoc on your landscaping.
If you have a lawn, aeration is crucial. This process provides water, oxygen, and fertilizer an easier access to roots. When performed in conjunction with the fertilization process, a lawn should be set for a long hibernation. Aeration and fertilization is best done in mid to late-fall. As an added bonus this process provides the lawn with a very healthy start next spring.
It is almost a right of passage to remove dead leaves, dying foliage, and annuals during the months of fall. This is a very important part of maintaining a healthy lawn. Even though it is largely dormant, lawns still need sunlight in the winter. Also, leaves left on a lawn can lead to mold growth.
Adding a layer of mulch to your trees, shrubs, and plants protects them from the harsh winter weather. It also acts as a barrier that keeps the temperature of beds even throughout the winter, protects roots from frost damage, and helps retain moisture.
This might be overly obvious but properly winterizing your irrigation system is crucial. Here too Baron Services has professionals ready to assist. So, protect your investment and prepare for winter today. Call Baron Services for an evaluation.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America