What kind of maintenance does a pool require in the fall and winter here in Nashville?
It is a common question. The heat has broken and one is left to wonder: do you put in the work to clean it or leave be until spring? Is there cause for concern that a cold snap will have your equipment cracking while you are not about? We get asked these things at West Meade Pools all through the fall. They are questions that carry more weight than the average homeowner might think. Our team can be reached at (615)-989-2424; we are a licensed and insured operation with 4.6 stars on our 50 plus Google reviews, and we like to see our clients in Nashville, TN and beyond go into the colder part of the year without any qualms.
There is nothing to it once you know what is called for; pool care in Middle Tennessee during the winter months is quite manageable. We will show you how.
The Case for Maintenance in Fall and Winter
One would not call a Nashville winter brutal but then again it is not predictable. A hard freeze will put in an appearance after a mild afternoon and that is where pools get hurt. Water has a way of expanding as it freezes, and if you let a pool go, you may find cracked pipes or a ruined pump and plaster come morning from a single night of cold. Then there is the matter of cost; prevention is invariably cheaper than making good on repairs in the spring. A pool put to bed in proper order is a lot simpler to open up later. Whereas the ones that are left to their own devices in October have a habit of being green and costly by March.
Water Chemistry: Do It While It Is Still Warm
Your water chemistry requires some tending to before the temperatures make a final drop. Properly balanced water is the best defence for your surfaces and equipment in the off season.
Prior to the onset of winter we recommend having the following in order:
- pH levels in the right range
- Alkalinity put in balance for the sake of the water
- Calcium hardness set to guard the plaster
- Sanitizer or chlorine topped up
- Any metals or stains taken care of
- A shock treatment to stave off algae
Then again, do not just put chemicals in and be done with it. Unbalanced water sitting over the winter will etch and stain a pool in ways you cannot easily put right.
Do Some Cleaning
Debris and acorns will make a quick pile in a Nashville fall. Let organic matter remain in the water and it will break down and become food for algae. Make a thorough job of it when the season is drawing to a close:
- Skim off the leaves and anything else on top
- Loosen the buildup on the floor and walls with a brush
- Vacuum the sediment
- See to the skimmer and pump baskets
- Backwash or do the filter
If you have trees overhanging the pool, expect to do some skimming even after your main clean up; a cover is no match for everything.
Equipment and the Cold
Homeowners tend to overlook this and it is where the damage is done. A freeze in the offing means your plumbing, filter and pump have to be put in a safe position.
- Put in winterizing plugs as the case may be
- Make sure the lines are clear of water
- Drain the heater, pump and filter
- If you are closing, lower the water level
- Watch the forecast for freezes should you leave the pool open
Of course, not every pool is the same. Some of our owners in Nashville have a system in place to run their pool all year round despite the mild winters. Should you have any doubt as to what suits your situation, we can talk you through it at (615)-989-2424.
To Close or Not to Close?
You will see some in Nashville who will fully winterize and put a cover on, others have a timer on the pump to ward off a freeze and run it through the winter. There is no wrong answer, only different requirements. An open pool is less of a chore to put back in commission in the spring but you have to be on top of it in cold weather. A closed one wants a careful shutdown but then is not much trouble week to week. It comes down to how hands on you want to be and what you have in the way of equipment and tree cover.
Leave the Cold Weather Work to West Meade Pools
We are here so you do not have to put two and two together when it comes to your pool. Monday to Friday 8 to 5 you can count on us. Our work is guaranteed to your complete satisfaction and as a licensed and insured firm we will give you a free estimate to put your mind at ease.
Call West Meade Pools at (615)-989-2424 and we will have your pool in shape for whatever the season brings.