Not everyone loves winter. Because of this, many pools remain unused during the winter season. If you are one of these people, you might stress just thinking about dipping your toe into the cold water. The run from the swimming pool to your hot shower doesn’t make this any easier. However, there are benefits to taking a swim in the cold water. You will have healthier skin and feel more energetic. But, even if you don’t want to take a plunge in the cold water, you might want to think about making use of your investment. If you are using your swimming pool only for the summer season, you are using half of your investment. Here is how you can make the most of your pool during the winter season.
How To Make The Most Of Your Pool During The Winter Season
1. Go For A Cold Plunge
For generations, people have been going for a swim in the freezing cold water. Some do it because they want to enjoy the health benefits while others do it because they find it exhilarating. Taking a cold water plunge makes you feel energetic by increasing your circulation. It can also help provide relief from pain caused by rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and more. There are some people who experience the cold water plunge by swimming in a cold lake or taking a cold shower. However, you can gain the same benefits from your fibreglass swimming pool.
2. Add A Freeze Sensor
If you already have a controller system for your pool, it has a freeze sensor. Some of these use an air sensor, while others use an air and water temp sensor. It is also possible to program the temperature and when it is reached, it triggers the pump to turn on. Even if you don’t have a controller, you can still install just a freeze sensor to protect your system. Some options come with variable speed pumps along with a built-in freeze protection control.
3. Adjust The Chemistry Of Water
If you want to ensure that when you are using your pool during the winter season there are no problems, you have to periodically check the water chemistry and maintain it. In order to balance the water properly, here is what your goal should be:
- Alkalinity – 80 to 150 PPM
- Calcium hardness – 175 to 225
- Chlorine level – 1 to 3 PPM
- pH level – 7.2 to 7.6
4. Turn The Water Features Off
You have to run your pump in order to prevent freezing and ensure that the water flows throughout the pool. However, you don’t need your other water features like a waterfall or a fountain. They have their own set of pipes and pumps. If you don’t want your water features to turn on every time you run your pump, you should turn them off, close the valve, and keep them winterised. It is also important to note that water features created using stone or mortar can experience micro freezing if water gets into their cracks and crevices.
5. Add Heat
Just because the air around the pool is cold doesn’t mean that the water in the pool should be cold too. You can bring the temperature of the pool up using some common methods of heating systems:
- Heat pumps
- Heat exchanger
- Solar blankets
6. Install A Spa
Yes, using a heating system to warm up your pool can help. But, if you want to take it to the next level, you can install a spa. Once you have gone for a swim, dipping in your spa will keep you extra warm. In fact, this is one of the best ways for you to enjoy your fibreglass pool during the winter season.
The main goal of designing and installing a hot tub or a spa is to ensure that you are comfortable and more. The best time to do this is during the winter season, when you are preparing your pool for the season. If possible, you can opt for a fibreglass pool with a built-in spa that perfectly satisfies your needs. With a spa right in your backyard, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of other benefits as well, including:
- Relaxed muscles
- Decreased stress
- Warm your body after taking a cold plunge
It is important that the water is warm enough to soothe your body, especially if the air is cold and brisk.
7. Keep Your Pump Running
In extremely cold areas, the surface of the pool can freeze. However, the water that is running through your pipes won’t. As long as you keep your valves partially open and run the pump, you won’t have to worry about your plumbing or equipment freezing. If you are not heating your water, you have to at least move it. As long as there is a constant water supply from the filter pump, you won’t even have to run the pump. If you remove the cleaner, it will reduce the back pressure and increase the water flow through the cleaner line and booster pump.
8. Do A Deep Cleaning
One of the best ways for you to make the most of your fibreglass pool in the winter season is to clean it. You don’t want dirt, bacteria, or algae with you in your pool during the season. To remove the debris from the surface of your pool, you can use a skimmer net. For cleaning the bottom, you will have to use a pool vacuum. By doing this, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are able to swim safely.
Also, you won’t have to work as hard to clean your pool for the spring season. Before you prepare your swimming pool for the winter season by changing the chemistry of the water, make sure that you remove all the accessories. This includes ladders, automated cleaners, skimmer baskets, pool toys, steps, or any related items. After you have removed them, you should use them again only after scrubbing them down.
Conclusion
If you follow the above-mentioned steps, your pool will be ready for the winter season. If you need any help with a new pool, you should always opt for a qualified and experienced professional who can help you every step of the way.
Not everyone loves winter. Because of this, many pools remain unused during the winter season. If you are one of these people, you might stress just thinking about dipping your toe into the cold water. The run from the swimming pool to your hot shower doesn’t make this any easier. However, there are benefits to taking a swim in the cold water. You will have healthier skin and feel more energetic. But, even if you don’t want to take a plunge in the cold water, you might want to think about making use of your investment. If you are using your swimming pool only for the summer season, you are using half of your investment. Here is how you can make the most of your pool during the winter season.
How To Make The Most Of Your Pool During The Winter Season
1. Go For A Cold Plunge
For generations, people have been going for a swim in the freezing cold water. Some do it because they want to enjoy the health benefits while others do it because they find it exhilarating. Taking a cold water plunge makes you feel energetic by increasing your circulation. It can also help provide relief from pain caused by rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and more. There are some people who experience the cold water plunge by swimming in a cold lake or taking a cold shower. However, you can gain the same benefits from your fibreglass swimming pool.
2. Add A Freeze Sensor
If you already have a controller system for your pool, it has a freeze sensor. Some of these use an air sensor, while others use an air and water temp sensor. It is also possible to program the temperature and when it is reached, it triggers the pump to turn on. Even if you don’t have a controller, you can still install just a freeze sensor to protect your system. Some options come with variable speed pumps along with a built-in freeze protection control.
3. Adjust The Chemistry Of Water
If you want to ensure that when you are using your pool during the winter season there are no problems, you have to periodically check the water chemistry and maintain it. In order to balance the water properly, here is what your goal should be:
- Alkalinity – 80 to 150 PPM
- Calcium hardness – 175 to 225
- Chlorine level – 1 to 3 PPM
- pH level – 7.2 to 7.6
4. Turn The Water Features Off
You have to run your pump in order to prevent freezing and ensure that the water flows throughout the pool. However, you don’t need your other water features like a waterfall or a fountain. They have their own set of pipes and pumps. If you don’t want your water features to turn on every time you run your pump, you should turn them off, close the valve, and keep them winterised. It is also important to note that water features created using stone or mortar can experience micro freezing if water gets into their cracks and crevices.
5. Add Heat
Just because the air around the pool is cold doesn’t mean that the water in the pool should be cold too. You can bring the temperature of the pool up using some common methods of heating systems:
- Heat pumps
- Heat exchanger
- Solar blankets
6. Install A Spa
Yes, using a heating system to warm up your pool can help. But, if you want to take it to the next level, you can install a spa. Once you have gone for a swim, dipping in your spa will keep you extra warm. In fact, this is one of the best ways for you to enjoy your fibreglass pool during the winter season.
The main goal of designing and installing a hot tub or a spa is to ensure that you are comfortable and more. The best time to do this is during the winter season, when you are preparing your pool for the season. If possible, you can opt for a fibreglass pool with a built-in spa that perfectly satisfies your needs. With a spa right in your backyard, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of other benefits as well, including:
- Relaxed muscles
- Decreased stress
- Warm your body after taking a cold plunge
It is important that the water is warm enough to soothe your body, especially if the air is cold and brisk.
7. Keep Your Pump Running
In extremely cold areas, the surface of the pool can freeze. However, the water that is running through your pipes won’t. As long as you keep your valves partially open and run the pump, you won’t have to worry about your plumbing or equipment freezing. If you are not heating your water, you have to at least move it. As long as there is a constant water supply from the filter pump, you won’t even have to run the pump. If you remove the cleaner, it will reduce the back pressure and increase the water flow through the cleaner line and booster pump.
8. Do A Deep Cleaning
One of the best ways for you to make the most of your fibreglass pool in the winter season is to clean it. You don’t want dirt, bacteria, or algae with you in your pool during the season. To remove the debris from the surface of your pool, you can use a skimmer net. For cleaning the bottom, you will have to use a pool vacuum. By doing this, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are able to swim safely.
Also, you won’t have to work as hard to clean your pool for the spring season. Before you prepare your swimming pool for the winter season by changing the chemistry of the water, make sure that you remove all the accessories. This includes ladders, automated cleaners, skimmer baskets, pool toys, steps, or any related items. After you have removed them, you should use them again only after scrubbing them down.
Conclusion
If you follow the above-mentioned steps, your pool will be ready for the winter season. If you need any help with a new pool, you should always opt for a qualified and experienced professional who can help you every step of the way.
