Once your pool is closed for the season, it may seem like a lifetime before you can open it again in the spring. However, there are some things you can do on nice fall days to prepare your pool for opening in a few months.
Clean your Filter:
Cleaning your filter is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do right after closing your pool for the year. Whether you have a sand, cartridge, or DE filter, doing a deep clean of your filter at least once a year means better filtration. Additionally, deep cleaning extends the overall life of your filter. While the goal is to have a clean filter at opening, it is easiest to clean your filter right after closing. If you attempt to do it in the spring, the stuck-on dirt and grime that has been there for months may be harder to clean off.
We recommend using filter cleaning products like Bioguard’s Strip-Kwik and Kleen It. These filter cleaners remove oil, scale buildup, metals and dirt from your filter. They provide a much deeper clean than just cleaning your filter with a hose. This is a project that can be accomplished in as little as an hour.
Clean your Salt Cell:
If you have a saltwater pool, your salt cell will also need cleaned before opening your pool in the spring. As water moves through your salt cell to produce chlorine each summer, it will cause scale buildup. This scale buildup can decrease the life span of your salt cell if not cleaned off at least once a year with a cell cleaning product. The process of soaking your cell in the cell cleaning solution can be done in the spring, but some people prefer taking the time to clean their cell in the fall when they are already thinking about it. We recommend using Bioguard’s Cell Cleaner which cleans your salt cell in less than 30 minutes.
Planning Backyard and Renovation Projects:
Fall is a great time to plan backyard or pool renovation projects. Maybe you want to do some fall or spring landscaping which will be easiest when the cover is still on the pool. Or perhaps you are thinking about a liner replacement in the spring. Whether your outdoor projects are big or small, the fall is a great time to set your plans into motion and ensure that your backyard is looking great when you open the pool in a few short months.
For questions or advice on maintaining your pool in the off season, please contact us.
