As the days start to cool off and summer fades into fall, many pool owners in Jackson, TN, and surrounding areas begin thinking about winding down their pool use for the year. However, just because you're using the pool less frequently doesn't mean that maintenance should be neglected. Properly preparing your pool for the fall not only ensures it's ready for the cooler months ahead, but also helps to prevent costly repairs and makes reopening the pool next spring much easier.
At Paradise Pools, your local West Tennessee pool builder, we understand the unique needs of homeowners in this region. As a family-owned business, we take pride in offering professional advice and services to help you care for your pool year-round. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maintaining your pool during the fall, from balancing chemicals to protecting your equipment.
By following these essential tips, you’ll help safeguard your pool through the cooler seasons and set yourself up for an easy start to the next swimming season.
1. Clean the Pool Thoroughly
Before transitioning into fall maintenance, it’s essential to give your pool a deep clean. Over the summer, your pool likely accumulated debris like leaves, dirt, bugs, and oils from sunscreens and lotions. A clean pool is the foundation of good pool maintenance and will make the winterization process much easier.
Steps to Clean Your Pool:
Skim the Surface: Use a net to remove any floating leaves, bugs, or other debris from the water’s surface.
Vacuum the Pool: Vacuum the pool floor to remove any sediment, dirt, or algae buildup that might have settled during the summer months.
Brush the Walls: Algae and other contaminants can stick to the sides of the pool. Brushing the walls and floor will help to prevent stains and buildup.
Empty Skimmer and Pump Baskets: These collect a lot of debris, especially as the trees begin to shed their leaves during the fall. Make sure to clear them out regularly.
By starting with a clean pool, you’ll prevent debris from deteriorating in the water over the fall and winter months, which could cause algae blooms or make the pool water harder to treat in the spring.
2. Test and Balance the Water Chemistry
As the temperature cools, water chemistry can change, and imbalanced water can cause damage to your pool's surfaces and equipment. Testing and balancing your pool water ensures that the chemical levels are safe for your pool’s materials and helps to prevent corrosion or scaling over the fall and winter.
Key Levels to Balance:
pH: The ideal pH level for pool water is between 7.4 and 7.6. If the pH is too high, the water can become cloudy and lead to scaling on pool surfaces. If it’s too low, the water becomes acidic, which can damage the pool liner and equipment.
Alkalinity: Total alkalinity should be kept between 80-120 ppm (parts per million). This acts as a buffer for pH levels, preventing drastic swings in water acidity.
Calcium Hardness: Your pool’s calcium hardness levels should be between 200-400 ppm. Low calcium hardness can cause plaster and grout to erode, while high calcium levels can lead to scaling on the pool surface and equipment.
Chlorine: Make sure your chlorine levels are between 1-3 ppm. This keeps your water sanitized and free from harmful bacteria and algae.
Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid): If you use an outdoor pool, cyanuric acid helps protect chlorine from being broken down by sunlight. Ensure levels are between 30-50 ppm.
Regularly checking these levels will ensure your water remains healthy, preventing unwanted growth and buildup during the fall.
3. Shock the Pool
After balancing your pool water, it’s a good idea to shock the pool. Shocking involves adding a high dose of chlorine or another pool shock product to quickly raise the chlorine level and kill off any remaining bacteria, algae, or organic contaminants. This will prevent any lingering algae blooms from growing as the weather cools.
How to Shock Your Pool:
1Choose a shock product compatible with your pool type (saltwater or chlorine).
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of shock needed, based on your pool size.
Add the shock in the evening or at night to avoid UV rays from breaking down the chemicals.
Run your pool pump overnight to help distribute the chemicals evenly.
Shocking your pool will leave the water clean and sanitized, reducing the risk of algae or bacteria growth over the cooler months.
4. Clean and Backwash the Filter
Your pool filter has worked hard all summer, catching debris, dirt, and oils. To ensure it runs efficiently through the fall and into the winter, it’s important to clean it out thoroughly.
Steps to Clean Each Filter Type:
Cartridge Filters: Remove the cartridge and spray it down with a hose to remove dirt and debris. For a more thorough clean, you can soak the cartridge in a cleaning solution to break down oils and minerals.
Sand Filters: Backwash the filter by reversing the flow of water to flush out trapped debris. After backwashing, run the filter on rinse mode for about 30 seconds to settle the sand.
DE (Diatomaceous Earth) Filters: Backwash the filter, then add fresh DE powder through the skimmer to replace what was lost during backwashing.
Regular filter cleaning ensures that your system runs efficiently, preventing clogs or strain on your pump.
5. Lower the Water Level
During the fall, especially if you're winterizing your pool later on, it’s necessary to lower the water level slightly. Lowering the water prevents water from entering the skimmer or pool equipment, which could freeze and cause damage when temperatures drop.
If you plan to close your pool for the winter, lower the water to just below the skimmer level. For pools with tile, it's a good idea to drain the water below the tile line to prevent any water expansion from cracking the tiles when freezing temperatures arrive.
However, be careful not to drain too much water, as this could lead to problems with the pool liner or structure, particularly if your area receives a lot of rain during the fall and winter.
6. Add Algaecide
Even with balanced water chemistry and proper filtration, algae can still grow in the fall when leaves and other organic material fall into the pool. To prevent algae from taking over during the cooler months, it’s a good idea to add an algaecide to your water.
Algaecides work as a preventative measure, breaking down algae cells and keeping them from growing. While shocking the pool kills existing algae, algaecide ensures that future growth is stopped in its tracks.
Tips for Using Algaecide:
Choose an algaecide that works for the type of algae most common in your area (green, yellow, or black algae).
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid overdosing.
Run the pool pump for 24 hours after adding the algaecide to ensure it distributes evenly.
Adding algaecide in the fall can save you from dealing with an unsightly, algae-filled pool when spring arrives.
7. Cover the Pool
One of the most important steps in preparing your pool for the fall is covering it. A quality pool cover will protect your water from falling leaves, debris, and even wildlife. It will also reduce evaporation and help maintain balanced water chemistry during the off-season.
Types of Pool Covers:
Mesh Covers: These covers are lightweight and allow water to drain through, which prevents excess weight from accumulating on the cover. However, they do allow some debris and fine particles to enter the pool.
Solid Covers: These covers completely block out sunlight, debris, and water. They’re heavier than mesh covers but provide a more thorough barrier, reducing the chances of algae growth.
Safety Covers: These covers are strong enough to support the weight of a person or animal, offering additional safety for families with children or pets.
When installing a pool cover, make sure it’s properly secured to avoid sagging or falling into the pool, especially in areas with high winds or heavy rainfall.
8. Maintain Your Pool Equipment
Finally, it's crucial to check your pool equipment as part of your fall maintenance routine. Your pump, heater, and any other equipment have been working hard throughout the summer and need to be maintained to ensure they function properly next season.
Equipment Maintenance Tips:
Check for Leaks: Inspect all your equipment for signs of leaks or wear and tear, and address any issues before they become bigger problems.
Winterize Pool Equipment: If you plan to close your pool for the winter, drain the water from your pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator to prevent freezing and cracking.
Store Accessories: Pool accessories like ladders, floats, and cleaning tools should be stored away in a dry, protected area to prevent damage from the elements.
Proper equipment maintenance will extend the life of your pool system and reduce the need for costly repairs.
Conclusion
By following these essential maintenance tips, you’ll ensure your pool is well-prepared for the fall season. Cleaning, balancing the water, protecting your equipment, and using a pool cover will not only keep your pool in great shape but also make the transition to spring much smoother.
At Paradise Pools, your trusted West Tennessee pool installer and family-owned business, we specialize in pool construction and maintenance for homeowners in Jackson, TN, and surrounding areas. If you’re unsure about any steps or would like professional assistance, our team is here to help! Whether it’s regular maintenance or a full winterization service, we’ll make sure your pool is ready for whatever the seasons bring.
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