Closing Your Pool: A Checklist For Toronto Homeowners

The fall months are finally upon us and you know what that means? You guessed it - time to close your pool! 

Closing your pool is essential for several reasons - not only does it prevent damage that your pool could incur during the colder months, but it also prevents things like algae growth, and can save you much-needed time and money in the long run. If you’re ready to help your pool maintain its integrity and longevity, follow our checklist to ensure you are closing your pool accurately and efficiently.

The Ultimate Pool Closing Checklist   

Cool fall weather is almost upon us, therefore, if you live in Toronto, now is the time to start preparing your pool for winter to ensure its longevity. Come spring, you’ll be able to open it up again with no costly issues awaiting you. 

Here are the proper steps to follow when closing your pool:

Step 1: Remove Debris

Don’t leave any leaves, dirt, or other debris in the pool. It’s important to ensure your pool is free of contaminants before closing it to reduce staining, bacteria build-up, or algae growth. 

Step 2: Backwash the Filter

Backwash the pool filter to remove any dirt or debris trapped in the filter system. This will help improve the efficiency of the filter and ensure that the pool water remains clean throughout the winter. Then, you can lower the water level so it’s sitting just below the lowest pool outlet. 

Step 3: Balance the Water Chemistry

Before closing the pool, it is essential to balance the water chemistry to ensure that there are no issues with bacteria or algae growth during the off-season. Test the water, adjust the pH levels, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels as needed.

Step 4: Add Winterizing Chemicals

Blow out the pool lines and add winterizing chemicals to the lines and filtration system to protect it from algae growth, bacteria and freezing temperatures during the winter months. These chemicals will help preserve the water quality and prevent any issues when reopening the pool in the spring.

Step 5: Install a Pool Cover 

Cover the pool with a winter pool cover to protect it from debris, leaves, and harsh weather conditions. Make sure the cover is securely fastened to prevent it from coming loose or being blown off by strong winds.

What to Look For Come Spring

After the long, cold winter, when it’s finally time to reopen your pool, there are some things you should look out for when you remove the cover. Check around the perimeter of the inside and outside of the pool for signs of cracks or leaks. Remove all the winter plugs from the skimmers and wall returns and inspect all the filters, lines and other equipment for damage, which is especially important after experiencing harsh weather. 

The Benefits of Hiring Toronto Homeowners Hiring a Pool Company

If you’re a busy homeowner, we get it! Fall comes back to school time, busy work schedules and other homeowner duties, so if you don’t have time to tackle closing your pool yourself, don’t worry. Hiring a professional pool closing company, such as PEOPLE for POOLS, can be very beneficial for several reasons. 

Experience & Knowledge

Professionals have the necessary experience and expertise to properly winterize your pool. They know exactly what steps need to be taken to drain the water, remove and store equipment, add the right chemicals, and cover the pool to ensure that no damage occurs during the winter months. Attempting to do all of this on your own without the proper knowledge can result in costly mistakes that could lead to damage to your pool and equipment.

Save Time & Effort

Hiring professionals to close your pool can save you a significant amount of time and effort. Pool closing can be a time-consuming and physically demanding task, especially if you are not familiar with the process. By entrusting the job to professionals, you can free up your time to focus on other important tasks and avoid the hassle of trying to figure out the process on your own.

Proper Tools & Equipment

Professionals will have all of the necessary tools, equipment, and materials to get the job done efficiently and effectively. They can also spot and address any potential issues or repairs that may need to be made before closing the pool, saving you from dealing with unexpected problems in the spring.

Don’t Put it Off - Your Pool Needs to be Winterized!

Closing your pool for the season is an important task that should not be taken lightly. It requires a certain level of expertise and knowledge to ensure that everything is done correctly to protect your pool from potential damage during the colder months. Toronto homeowners can follow this to-do list to ensure they don’t miss any steps, or, hire a professional who has the necessary tools and knowledge to complete the job with ease.