4 Tips on How to Protect Your Pool and Spa This Winter
Winter is around the corner and though the Southern parts of the US enjoy milder temperatures, many customers residing in the rest of the states wonder how to protect their pool and spa from extremely low temperatures. People often think that once they close their pool or spa for the winter, they can forget about it until spring. But there are a few things you should do to protect your investment and ensure it's ready for the next season. Here are four tips on how to winterize your pool or spa.
1. Keep the pool water circulating
One of the best ways to keep your pool warm during the winter is to keep the water circulating.
During the winter, pool owners often close their pools to save on heating costs. However, they require circulation to prevent the water from becoming stagnant and help prevent ice from forming on the surface of the water. Otherwise, the water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful organisms.
There are a few simple ways to keep the water in your pool circulating during the winter. First, you can add pool winterizing chemicals to your pool water. These chemicals help to prevent the water from freezing and help to keep it circulating. Second, you can install a pool cover. This will help to keep the heat in and prevent the water from evaporating. Finally, you can invest in a quality swimming pool cover pump. This pump will help to circulate the water and prevent it from freezing.
2. Add insulation around your pool deck
Pools are a great way to enjoy the summer, but they can also be a lot of work. Winterizing your pool is essential to keeping it in good condition, and one important step is adding insulation around the pool deck. This will help to keep the water from freezing and prevent damage to the deck itself.
There are a few different ways to add insulation, and the best method will depend on the type of deck you have. If you have a concrete deck, you can use spray foam insulation or rigid foam panels. For wooden decks, you can install foil-faced bubble wrap or special plastic sheets designed for insulating pools. Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure that your pool is properly insulated for the winter.
3. Cover your pool when not in use
If you're not going to be using your pool during winter, it's a good idea to cover it up with a tarp or other type of cover. This will help prevent snow and ice from accumulating on top of the water and will help keep the water warm.
If you live in an area where temperatures regularly drop below freezing, it's a good idea to drain your pool entirely. This will help avoid any potential damage from freezing water in the pipes or on the surface of your pool.
4. Invest in quality pool tile and materials
The best way to protect your pool during the Winter is to use high-quality, frost proof pool tile and installation materials. Much like the foundation of your home, quality materials are the foundation of a long-lasting, successful pool installation. When looking for the perfect tile for your pool or spa, it’s important to make sure your shopping pool-rated, frost proof materials.
Pool tile like all tile, is tested for its durability. The difference between pool tile and regular tile, however, is that pool tile is held to much higher standards. It must be able to withstand extreme temperature changes, hold up against being submerged in water long-term, be resistant to UV light, and must be able to hold up against the many chemicals used in pool water.
Regular tile, while it is durable enough for some interior uses, will not hold up against these elements. Pool tile comes in many different shapes, colors, and styles so you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect one for your aesthetic.
It’s a win-win if you’re looking to upgrade the inside of your home as well. After all, who wouldn’t want the best of the best throughout their home?
Tile isn’t the only consideration for the longevity of your pool or spa. Using the best tile adhesive and grout will help to support your tile through the harsh Winter months. Litokol is the leader in high-performance setting materials that will keep your pool looking beautiful for many years to come.
Their Litoelastic EVO tile adhesive is a top-of-the-line epoxy-based tile adhesive that’s been proven to be perfect for pool and wet areas. It’s epoxy base means that it has waterproofing characteristics, helping to prevent leaks that could potentially cause your tile installation to fail. Moreover, its pure white color is the perfect choice for translucent and semi-translucent glass tile as it allows for the beautiful colors of the tile to remain vibrant.
More than adhesive, customers tend to spend a long time looking for the perfect grout to complement their tile. Well, look no further than the Starlike EVO collection. This line of epoxy-based grouts is the perfect combination of style and durability. With over 150 color options and a variety of additive packs to choose from, there’s no limit to the look you can create. More than stunning looks however, this collection is the best option for pool tile installations due to its flexibility and chemical and UV resistant properties.
Like car tires, pool tile, particularly glass pool tile, expands and contracts during temperature changes. This is a normal occurrence, but if you don’t use flexible grout, you run the risk of pressure building up on the tile chips which could ultimately lead to cracking. The Starlike EVO brand is flexible enough to allow for this shift while keeping the tiles in place and looking brand new.
So, there you have it; 4 tips on how to protect your pool and spa this Winter. There are some additional considerations we wanted to mention to help you not only take care of your pool, but your entire outdoor paradise. If you have in-pool furniture such as loungers and side tables, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper care. We always advise bringing these accessories indoors or put them in a garage is possible during the coldest parts of the year. If this isn’t possible, remove them from the water and use a furniture cover or tarp to help protect them while outdoors. This also applies to patio furniture. If your patio furniture includes outdoor pillows, it’s recommended to bring those indoors even if you can’t do the same for the rest of the pieces. This will ensure you get to enjoy them for years to come!
If you have questions about caring for your outdoor paradise or need help finding the perfect materials, please contact one of our design consultants today to help you through the process at (800) 971 1442 or by email at support@aquablumosaics.com