Tips for winterizing your vinyl liner pool

It’s that time of year again. Pool closing season is here, and depending on your regional climate, the process of winterizing your pool can vary. As such, we recommend that you always consult your local pool professional. With that said, here are some helpful tips for winterizing a vinyl liner pool.

A properly winterized and covered pool can withstand even the harshest of conditions.

• Clean the pool: Vacuum the floor and skim the water’s surface. Leaves and other debris can settle at the bottom of the pool during the off-season, which could potentially stain the pool floor. We recommend using alkaline base cleaning agents to clean to area above the water line, as acid base chemicals damage the liner. Do not use an abrasive cleaning aid (i.e. stiff bristled brush, steel wool, etc.)
• Watch your pH levels: Maintain a pH of 7.2-7.8 to avoid scaling, staining, or discoloring in the interior of the pool.
• Dilute and circulate: Do not add chemicals directly to the water. This can cause the chemicals to concentrate on the pool floor, staining or bleaching the vinyl liner. Instead, dilute the chemicals in a bucket and pour them into the skimmer with the circulation system running. Allow the chemicals to circulate for a full 24 hours.
• Do not drop the water level if possible: Once a pool has been filled with water, the liner begins to lose its stretching properties; therefore the pool should be kept full of water at all times. The water acts as a protector for the liner and holds the liner in its proper position, eliminating any re-stretching or drying out of the vinyl liner.
• Cover the pool: Installing a safety cover is the best way to protect both your investment and family by keeping out falling leaves and other debris, while also adhering to the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Click here to learn more about McEwen safety covers.