Wrapping up for winter

The Great Frost of 1683

The Great Frost in the winter of 1683 has gone down as the worst freeze in English history. Exact temperatures were not recorded back in the 17th Century, but according to the private records of Dr John Downes of Christ's Hospital, London, they were in the region of -4°C indoors and -12°C outside, with the lowest reported temperature, a staggering -30°C. The Thames froze to a depth of one foot, cattle and deer died where they stood, and some tree trunks were reported to have exploded with cracks ‘as loud as the firing of musketry.’

Preparing Your Pool for Winter

Whilst you will be relieved to know that the Met Office predicts that the temperature for the next three months is likely to be above average, there are still precautions that you will need to take to prepare your swimming pool for the winter. Closing the pool correctly and then arranging for a minimal service when its closed will not only help protect the longevity of the boilers, pumps and filters, but will also ensure that the pool is in good shape for next spring when you decide it is time to re-open it.

Most people close their pools by early October, a task which involves more than simply declaring the pool ‘out of bounds’ for the winter. Without the correct preparation, your pool can suffer a range of problems, from a nosedive in the chemistry of the pool water to actual structural damage to the pool, resulting in the need for repairs that can be costly.

Winter Pool Maintenance Steps

Winterisation chemicals will also be added to the pool to help prevent scale accumulation.

Some of the water will be drained from the pool so that the level is approximately five inches below the skimmer opening. This prevents water from entering the skimmer opening, and freezing as the temperature drops. The engineer will then remove water from the plumbing lines with a vacuum or air compressor, again to guard against the potential damage caused by freezing water. The skimmer and jet openings can even be ‘plugged’ to stop water from working its way back into the lines. Some of these tasks will not be required where a safety cover or frost stat/timer is present.

Maintaining Water Chemistry During Winter

It is always wise to continue to have your pool serviced occasionally during the winter. Your engineer can undertake all the required steps to winterise your pool, performing periodic checks throughout the winter, ensuring the water is healthy and free of debris. The engineer will balance the pool’s chemistry, ensuring that pH levels stay between 7.2 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 and 120ppm, and calcium hardness between 175 and 250ppm.

Covering Your Pool

Covering the pool with a snug-fitting winter cover is the essential last step of the pool winterisation process. The cover will protect the pool from dirt, debris, sunlight, and seasonal damage and helps to maintain the water quality. The pool engineer will check the cover to ensure it is intact (ie no rips), because if it does not do its job, all the other precautions you have taken may be in vain.

By taking these steps you can ensure that when spring arrives, your pool will be in great shape and your re-opening will be smoother and faster. For more information on winterising your pool, you can read our article Closing your pool for the winter.

Get in touch

At London Swimming Pool Company we specialise in swimming pool servicing, as well as design, construction and refurbishment. If you need advice on any aspect of private swimming pools, contact us for an obligation free discussion.