Once the creep of autumn makes it a little too cool for your pool, it’s time to think about buttoning up your little oasis of aquatic pleasure until next spring. So for a raft of advice that really holds water, I turned to Ann Janowicz, general manager of Kasper’s Pool Supplies and Spas in Easton, Pa.

Janowicz says proper winterizing means more than just covering the pool. The pool must be cleaned, winter chemicals must be added, water chemistry must be balanced, and the water level should be lowered.

Most importantly, she says, winterizing is about freeze protection, and taking steps to protect the pool equipment and lines from being split apart by freezing water. To prevent freeze damage, Janowicz says water must be drained or blown out of all pumping, filtering, heating and chlorinating equipment and other pool plumbing.

This is not always a “do-it-yourself” project. Every pool is different, and each will require specific procedures and equipment to implement those procedures.

Janowicz, a certified pool operator (CPO) and a director of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA) notes that, “If you don’t know the exact procedure or if you do not have the equipment to winterize correctly, you should call a professional. A pool is a big investment.”

She says the right time to winterize varies by climate and individual preference. Many pool owners opt to close in late August or early September before leaves begin to fall, while others heat their water and enjoy swimming into the early autumn season. In general, pool closing and winterizing should be done before the first hard freeze in your area.

For information about pool winterizing, or to find a professional who can close your pool properly, visit the NESPA website at www.nespapool.org, or your regional Spa and Pool Association or certified spa and pool professional.

By John Voket, RISMedia Consumer Confidant

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