Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and many people think they need to close their pool at this point as well. However, there are many reasons to keep your pool open well into the fall. The reasons vary from the health of your pool water, all the way to entertainment for your family and friends, especially during COVID-19. We will outline some of the reasons below.
More Likely to Open to a Clear Pool
One of the best pieces of advice you can follow for your pool is “Close Late, Open Early.” Essentially, the less time your pool is closed for the year, the better. We recommend keeping your pool open as long as possible in the fall and letting the water temperature drop below 65 degrees before you close for the winter. This is because algae love to grow in warm, dark environments. If you close your pool when it is still warm outside and your water temperature is above 65 degrees, you are much more likely to open it to a green or cloudy pool in the spring. Waiting a few extra weeks for the water temperature to cool down can make a big difference to your water clarity in the spring.
More Time at Home in the Fall
Due to COVID-19, people are spending a lot more time at home this year, and we will not see kids rushing off to school in the fall like we typically do. On top of this, we have also had an extremely hot summer and can likely expect a warm fall. This may mean that your family will have the ability to swim well into the fall, especially if you have a pool heater. This also means less time looking at a depressing pool cover that many people see as a sign that dull winter weather is on the way.
Decreased Chemical Usage
While fall afternoons may be warm enough for swimming, the evenings will likely be cooler. The slightly cooler weather that fall brings means that your pool will often require less maintenance chemicals like tablets and shock compared to what it does at the height of summer. Many people do not want to leave their pool open longer than necessary due to the cost associated with it, however mild temperatures in spring and fall mean a lower operational cost for your pool.
Contact Us
As always, we are ready to help you keep your pool looking and feeling its best this fall. Visit any of our store locations for free water analysis and helpful advice on pool maintenance.
Pool chemicals are absorbed faster in warmer temperatures. If you close the pool while the temperatures are still 65 degrees or above, the winter protection chemicals you add will not sustain the water until you reopen the pool in the spring. When you open, you may find algae, cloudy water, or stains in the pool. As a result, you may have to add more chemicals than you would normally need and increase the cost of your pool opening.
You should not close your pool until the weather has consistently cooled down. If there is potential for a warm streak, you should still wait until you are sure there is not much chance of hot weather.
At Goodall Pools & Spas, we can close your pool for you, and we even have winter packages where we can check on your pool during the winter months and add maintenance chemicals for you. If you want to do the closing work yourself, we can provide you with instructions and the chemicals you need, as well as your winter pool cover. Please contact us for assistance.
