Pool Closing

How to Decide If You Should Close Your Pool for the Winter

As the leaves fall away and winter sets in, you might be beginning to ponder what to do with your pool for winter. Should you shut it down, or assuming it’s heated, continue to use it? Keep in mind that the easier route may not actually be what’s best for your pool.

If you are unsure of what to do with your pool this winter—no worries, here is a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide whether to keep your pool open or not.

Keeping Your Pool Open in Winter

The decision to keep your pool open is your choice, but your physical location may play a predominant role. There are several factors to consider before you decide to keep your pool open during winter.

• Maintain Your Pool
Deciding to keep your pool open comes with the responsibility to maintain it. It is imperative to maintain your pool throughout the winter season if you choose to keep it open. The maintenance of your pool includes cleaning the filter, balancing the water, and maintaining pool equipment.

You do not have to use as many chemicals to maintain your pool in winter. This is because the cold temperatures help preserve the chemicals in the water as less chorine is lost through evaporation. You can also reduce your pump’s run-time.

• Freezing Pool Lines
Many pool owners fear equipment damage caused by freezing temperatures during winter. Ensure a constant flow of water by running the pool to prevent the lines from freezing. You can also buy a pool timer with freeze protection for extra precaution.

• Salt Systems
If you are using a salt system for your pool, ensure that the temperatures do not drop to a certain degree because the salt system itself may stop working.

Closing Your Pool for the Winter

You may want to have more freedom during winter. Closing your pool will alleviate you of all the duties and responsibilities that come with keeping it open. However, it also comes with a price.

The process of closing your pool starts with adjusting chemical levels to ensure that chlorine, pH, and alkaline levels are stable. Next, if you live in a frozen area, ensure that you drain your pool 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer. Do not remove all the water because its weight keeps the pool in place. The expanded soil can pull the pool out of the ground without that weight.

Clean the pool by vacuuming it as well as scrubbing and sweeping the walls and skimmer baskets. Remove all the ladders, toys, diving boards, and floats from the pool area. An essential step before closing your pool is to blow pool lines because failure to do so might destroy the piping and equipment when the temperatures dip below freezing.

Finally, shut the pump equipment and cover the pool using mesh covers or safety covers.

Whatever option you choose for your pool this winter, Smith Pools can help. We offer both winter maintenance plans and pool-shutdown services. Get in touch today to get started.

How to Close Your Above Ground Pool for Winter


Winter is coming! Is your above ground pool ready for the freezing weather? Read our simple step-by-step guide on winterizing your above ground pool to get things ready for Jack Frost.

Step 1: Clean the pool

As winter approaches, the first step to winterizing your above ground pool is to clean it. Brush down the walls, skim the surface, and vacuum the entire pool. This might not seem an essential task, but if your pool sits dirty during winter you leave it ripe for algae or mold development—you will not like what you find in spring. 

Step 2: Get the chemicals right

This is a crucial step in winterizing your above ground pool. It involves adjusting the pH level, calcium hardness, and alkalinity. By balancing the chemicals, you will be able to keep your pool clean and free from bacteria throughout the winter period.

The pH should be 7.2-7.6, Calcium hardness 175-250ppm, alkalinity 80-120ppm, and Chlorine 1-3ppm. Getting the optimum chemical levels prevents corrosion.

Step 3: Do a thorough inspection

Before you do a complete close-down, you need to do a thorough inspection of the pool area. There are so many things that can go wrong when your pool freezes. If it leaks, the leak will become much more prominent when the water expands.

If you find any rusty bits, brush them down with a wire brush to get rid of the rust. Once you get all the rust off, ensure you paint the exposed surfaces with anti-rust paint. Don’t forget to tighten any loose joints and screws.

Step 4: Winterizing Kit

You will need specific chemicals – winterizing compounds—to keep your pool safe during this time. Most winterizing kits come bundled with all the chemicals that you will need to apply to the water before you shut it down.

If you are a more of a hands-on pool owner, you can buy each chemical separately, then add them to the pool. This task is going to be more tedious, but it will save you money. On top of it, you will be able to customize the percentages depending on your pool.

Step 6: Lower the water level

One of the common mistakes that people make during winter is to drain out their above ground pools completely. That’s a recipe for disaster. Doing so damages the pool and is often the cause of hydrostatic pressure. Altogether remove water from the drainage valve using an air compressor.

Once all the water is out of the plumbing, add pool anti-freeze to the pipe. You can also add winter plugs with threading to prevent water from getting back in. Only use pool anti-freeze with your pool.

Step 7: Cover Your Pool

Lastly, use a winter pool cover to protect the pool. Make sure it is securely held down with a durable cable. If you live in a windy area, use a winter cover seal to prevent the pool cover from being blown away by the wind.

If all this sounds like too much work, get in touch with Smith Pools today. We can handle all aspects of pool winterization from step one to done!

The Quick Breakdown of Pool Winterization

The time of the year to say goodbye to backyard pool parties is almost here.  Winterizing your pool will ensure that when Summer rolls back around you can jump right back in where you left off.  Pool winterization can be handled by the team at Smith Pool.  Or, you can always do it yourself.  Here is a quick breakdown of what you should do to get your pool winterized.

Deep Clean The Pool

Step number one for winterizing your pool is to clean it! Use your pool vacuum or net to fish out any stray bits and pieces that have fallen into the pool. Empty out the pump basket and scrub any leftover scum off the liner while you’re at it. If the pool looks good enough to throw a swimming party, you’ve accomplished the deep clean.   It is a lot of work, but when you get ready to take a dip next summer, you’ll be glad you already did all the hard work last winter.

Test the Pool Water and Get Ready for Freezing Temperatures

Winterizing your above ground pool isn’t just about keeping things looking nice for the next swimming season. By investing a little time now to prepare for the lower temperatures of winter will save you hundreds of dollars in pool damage.  It is important to test the pH and alkalinity levels of your pool water.  You can bring a water sample by either of the Smith Pools showrooms or you might invest in a kit for testing your pool water. Don’t forget to review chlorine and calcium levels as well.

Drop You Water Levels

Even during mild winters, it’s a good idea to drop the water level in your pool. When the water freezes in your pool, it causes major pool damage. Drop the water level down just below the level of the skimmer.  It is never a good idea to completely drain your pool.  Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for freezing temperatures. When freezing temperatures begin, you’ll want to keep the pool pump running to prevent freezing from occuring.

Cover It Up

It is time to put the pool cover on.  If you are using the same one from previous years, look for any rips or snags that need to be repaired. Major tears in the pool cover indicate that a new cover is needed. Some pool owners also find it helpful to use a cover pump. These devices manually or automatically drain excess water from the cover, preventing damage.

Don’t forget about your above ground pool while you’re bundled up inside. Keeping an eye out for any changes or extreme weather is essential to maintaining it during the winter season.

If you’d like the team at Smith Pool to handle your pool closing tasks, just give us a call today!

Fall 2018 Showroom Hours Update

It is hard  to believe that Summer 2018 is coming to an end!  For over 40 years, Smith Pools and Spas has helped thousands of Mid Southerners turn their backyards into places for family leisure and entertainment. Smith Pools and Spas continues this tradition today by building a company of loyal and professional employees who will make your pool, spa, or hot tub enjoyable for the entire family.  We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you and your family for many years to come.

After Labor Day, our stores will be open:

Pool Closings

Winterizing Above Ground Swimming Pools – Why It Can’t Wait

It is amazing to have an above ground pool in your backyard during the summers, to help you cool down and chill in the heat. However, as winter approaches, winterizing above ground swimming pools can be a daunting task. However, there is no other way about it. We provide a complete guide to help you through the process of winterizing above ground swimming pools, which is helpful for new pool owners as well as old ones.

Why Bother With Winterizing Above Ground Swimming Pools?

Swimming pool winterization is an essential part if you want your pool to stay in its best condition, and improve its life. This is extremely important for above ground pools which cannot be deflated or folded and stored. It basically involves protecting your swimming pool from the cold, which can damage your pool. During the winters, water in the pool also cools down, and in some areas, may even freeze. Essentially this causes the water to expand, which can cause the pool equipment, such as liners, to get severely damaged.

How to winterize your pool?

Winterizing your pool is tedious job, that needs to be done very carefully. It is therefore a good idea to hire professionals who will offer you these services for a reasonable price. We, at Smith Pools, offer these services as well. However, if you wish to do this task yourself, it usually takes about a week.

Foremost, check the pH level of the water and adjust it if required. Ideally, this should be done at least a week before closing down the pool. The next step is to vacuum and clean the walls of the pool thoroughly, clarifying the water. The next step is to use a winterizing chemical kit to close down your pool for the winter. This needs to be done with caution and it is important to follow the instructions exactly. To winterize above ground swimming pool, the use of these chemical kits is essential, but should be done with a lot of care. This process can take about 2-3 days. Clean up all the filters, the pump basket and other equipment. Lower the water levels in your pool, however, do not completely drain in order to winterize above ground swimming pool. Inflate the air pillows, and seal the pool with a pool cover, securing it properly.

Why should you prioritize winterizing your pool?

Winterizing above ground swimming pools simply should not be delayed. This process should be carried out once a year before the winter season begins because of various reasons. In places where the temperature is close to, or falls below the freezing point, it is important to winterize an above ground swimming pool because, as the water expands, and freezes, the pool may suffer damages to its filtration system, liner and plumbing. This in turn will reduce the usable life of your pool. Moreover, in areas with warmer winters, it is still important to go through this process because algae may begin to grow on the pool sides. Additionally, sediments may also settle into the pool, causing damage to the liner, and blocking the filters.

Keep your maintenance costs low, and your above ground pool running for longer, by winterizing your pool as soon as possible.

How To Close Your Swimming Pool For The Winter

So, you already have the pool that you’ve been dreaming of your entire life at your home, and it’s so amazing to have it there during those hot summer afternoons. But, as the cold winter approaches, there is this one thing that can cause you all types of headaches: how to close your above ground pool for the winter?

Well, for once, let us say: closing your pool for the winter properly is a hard and complex task. Here we will provide you with some of the most important tips and basics that you need to know about this, but we strongly suggest hiring a professional for this task if you’d like to make sure that your pool will be properly closed and safe for the whole long winter.

First of all, many important tools and materials are needed, such as pool skimmer and brush, balancers, algaecides, sanitizers and shocks. The first important thing when it comes to closing pools for the winter is the chemical balance. This is important for preventing corrosion or heavy calcium deposits in the water. You will need to check and adjust pH, and the alkaline and acidic qualities level. The pH of your pool must be in the range between 7.2 and 7.6. If after checking the pH you see that the value is outside that range, a pH increaser should be added if pH is lower, and a pH degreaser should be added if pH is higher.

After verifying and adjusting (if needed) pH levels, water hardness has to be checked as well, and adjusted to the proper level of calcium. The level of calcium must be between 175 and 225 ppm (parts per million). In order to increase the level of calcium, a calcium hardness increaser may be used. On the other hand, for reducing the level, some of the water must be drained, and then refill with other water with a lower level of calcium.

The other important tasks that must be performed for assuring a correct chemical balance in your pool before closing are: checking and adjustment of alkalinity, and checking and adjustment of chlorine level. The chlorine is very important because it is responsible for killing all the bacteria, germs and viruses that may be produced in the water. For checking and adjusting both the alkalinity level and the chlorine level in the water, different chemicals are needed, such as alkalinity increaser and pH degreaser.

Once the proper chemical balance is obtained, it’s time to actually close the pool! There are many pool covers that can do the job, each one of them with different pros and cons that a professional may tell you about. Some of them are extremely easy to install, while some others can be a little more complex. One of the most traditional covers is the one made of polyester and covered with PVC, that covers the water and isolates it from the exterior. There are other covers that are also thermic and let the sun go through, therefore heating the water while also avoiding its evaporation.

Another nice addition to your plan of winterizing an above ground swimming pool is the inclusion of above ground swimming pools heaters. Heating your pool is an intelligent investment, because it increases its value and also extends your swimming season. Above ground swimming pools with heaters are not as expensive as some people think, and are especially suitable for cold winters.

Whether you live in a place on which the winter is extremely cold, or in one on which the winter is a bit warmer, there is no doubt that properly closing your pool for the winter is something important if you really care about your pool and its maintenance. So, take these tips into account and get in touch with a professional who can assist you!

What Is the Best Swimming Pool Cover

Are you looking for a smart pool cover and wondering which one you should buy?

There are many types of above ground swimming pool covers, and this means it can be challenging to choose.

However, once you become familiar with pros and cons of each type, you would find it easier to pick the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Read on to learn all that you need to know about different pool covers to make an informed decision.

Popular Types of Swimming Pool Covers

• Safety covers

These covers are either made of solid vinyl or woven nylon. They are pulled taut across an above ground swimming pool and secured using straps tied to anchors installed around the perimeter of the pool. When used, this pool cover looks much like a big trampoline covering a pool.

Safety covers are hugely popular—and not without reasons. They prevent debris from falling into a pool and forestall accidental submersion.

Compared to solid safety covers, mush covers are lighter. They are also much easier to work with. Unlike a solid safety cover, the mush allows melting snow and rain water to pass into the pool. This in turn means you wouldn’t have to spend considerable effort, not to mention time, clearing standing water in spring.

The other advantage of mush covers is that they cost less than solid covers. A quality mush cover comfortably lasts for a decade, if not more. Last but not the least, mush above ground swimming pool covers are more attractive than other options and can be tailored to perfectly fit your swimming pool.

However, there are some disadvantage of a mesh cover, the biggest one being their inability to prevent fine particles and sunlight from entering your pool. This means excessive algae and dirt in spring.

If you don’t want that, you might want to consider solid covers. They keep excessive algae and dirt out. Solid covers are also more long-lasting, having a life of about 15 years.

• Solid non-safety covers

These covers float over your pool and don’t have the capacity to support any weight. Therefore, you don’t get much safety from these covers. They can’t take the weight of even a young child and will let a small child or pet get trapped in it and drown.

• Solar pool covers

These covers don’t do much to heat a pool but can help a heated pool stay warm even on the surface. However, they don’t offer much safety and can prove to be an annoyance because they don’t let pool skimmers remove leaves off the pool surface.

• Automatic pool covers

These covers are more expensive than others, but they also offer many useful features. You can use them throughout the year, including when you want to winterize the pool. Additionally, automatic pool covers prevent pool water from evaporating and in turn help ensure pool chemicals stay in water longer.

You can expect a quality automatic pool cover to last you for about a decade. If you want, you can recondition your old automatic pool cover for half the price of installing a fresh cover.

There’s one disadvantage of these pool covers, though. A cover pump will be needed for snow melt and rain.