Nashville Pool Owners: Tips for a Fall Closing
With the cooler months on the horizon, is your pool in order? One does not want to be faced with a green, ruined mess come spring. And if you are at a loss as to how to go about closing it, we can put your mind at ease.
We of West Meade Pools are here to see that Nashville pool owners safeguard their investment all year long. For any questions on this fall’s closing, pick up the phone and call (615)-989-2424. Our work is 100% guaranteed and we are fully licensed and insured.
The weather in Nashville can be as unpredictable in the fall as it is anywhere, so nailing the timing of a pool close is something of an art. Go too early and algae will have its way; wait too long and freeze damage becomes a possibility. A little forethought will have you shut down for the winter with no worries.
The Importance of a Proper Close
You are not only looking after the water when you close your pool, but also your pipes, equipment and finances. Do it right and you will find it is less trouble and expense to put the pool back in service in the spring. Neglect and you could be out for repairs due to cracked pipes or staining.
It is all too common for an owner to put in a hasty job or omit a step for the sake of time. In the end those shortcuts prove to be more costly.
When is the Right Time in Nashville?
Timing is key. The consensus in our part of town is to close once the water has been holding below 60 degrees for a while, which is to say mid or late October, give or take from one year to the next.
One should not be in a hurry with warm water since that is an invitation for bacteria and algae. Put off the close until you have a run of cool weather in the forecast and you will not be left with a murky pool in the spring.
How to Prepare Your Pool for the Season
To get your pool through the fall and winter there are some basics to follow:
- A few days prior to closing, see to the water chemistry, balancing the pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness
- Skim, brush and vacuum the pool to leave no debris
- Get the water level under the skimmer and returns to stave off any freeze
- Put away pumps, filters and heaters in storage so they do not crack
- Treat the water with the appropriate winterizing chemicals
- Make sure the lines are blown out and plugged, no water left in the plumbing
- Put a good quality cover on to keep the dirt and leaves at bay
Do not overlook any of these or you may have to deal with the consequences down the line.
Mistakes We See All the Time
An old hand at pool ownership will make an error of judgment occasionally. Some of the ones we encounter:
- Water is not balanced and you end up with scaling
- Water is left in the lines, the number one source of freeze damage
- A cover that is torn or does not fit well allows sunlight and debris in
- Equipment is not put away where it should be
- An unprepared pool is hit by a freeze because you put off the close
Steer clear of them and you will be spared the aggravation and expense in the spring.
Do It Yourself?
There is nothing wrong with doing it yourself if you are confident, provided you have the time and the proper equipment and chemicals to blow out the lines. But an incorrect procedure will not show its toll until you open the pool again.
Or you can put it in the hands of someone who has done it before. We know the pools and the weather in Nashville and will remove any guesswork from the equation.
West Meade Pools is Here to Help
Before you know it the fall will be upon you and it will be time to close. We are happy to offer our expertise in pool opening and closing to Nashville pool owners. With a 4.6 star rating from over 50 Google reviews, we think we have earned our reputation for care in what we do.
Come in for a free estimate between 8 and 5, Monday to Friday. Or give us a ring at (615)-989-2424 today and we will make sure your pool is closed correctly.