When is a good time to close your pool for winter?

Timing your pool closing does matter, the best time to close your swimming pool is when the water temperature consistently drops below 65°F. Closing your pool too early, when the water is still warm, creates a perfect environment for algae and bacteria to grow. Algae thrives in warm, stagnant water. Covering the pool while the water is still above 65°F will encouraging algae growth. This can turn your pool green over the winter, requiring costly and time-consuming treatment in the spring.  Winterizing chemicals are used up more quickly in warmer water. Wait until the water is consistently cooler, winterizing chemicals will last longer, and you'll have a cleaner pool when you open it in the spring. Stop relying on a specific calendar date like Labor Day, watch the signs that indicate it's time to close. If your yard has a lot of trees, you may want to close just before the majority of leaves start to fall to save yourself a major cleaning effort.  Watch for falling daytime and consistent cooler  overnight temperatures. While closing too early is a risk, waiting too long can be even worse.   As kids return to school and the weather cools, the pool will naturally be used less, that’s another great indicator that it might be time to close. You must close the pool before the first hard freeze to prevent water in the pipes and equipment from freezing and cracking.  Ultimately closing your pool later in the season, when the water is cooler but not freezing, is the best way to ensure you'll have a clear and clean pool when you open it again in the spring. Close late and open early is what Khlorine Keith always says.

Thinking about staying open longer this pool season? Try the Hayward HC series pool heater, it runs on natural or propane gas. Email or call to for a free estimate today.