closing down pool? (how much, maintenance, cost)

[nitynity]

How many of you guys close down your pool during winter? How much does it cost? Is it better than running it for the next 6 months?

[TurtleCreek80]

We cover ours from mid-Oct until mid-April. It saves about $80/mo on our pool service bill.

[nitynity]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

We cover ours from mid-Oct until mid-April. It saves about $80/mo on our pool service bill.

I am assuming you meant close down when you said cover.

[Rakin]

You don't close a pool in winter. It just needs to run pumps about 5 hours a day, keep it clean, keep the chemicals in balance.

Run your pumps at night instead of the day. That prevents them running in the day then running at night when the Cold sensor turns them on so they don't freeze.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by nitynity

I am assuming you meant close down when you said cover.

No, I meant cover. You never turn the pumps off or stop chemical treatments. You'll ruin your pool!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

No, I meant cover. You never turn the pumps off or stop chemical treatments. You'll ruin your pool!

This.

Pool are high-maintenance and cost money to maintain even when you can't use them.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

You never turn the pumps off or stop chemical treatments. You'll ruin your pool!

Yes. They do require a whole lot less chemicals and electricity in the winter than summer because the water gets cold.

In the fall you need to make sure to keep the leaves cleaned out almost daily.

[nitynity]

Thanks guys. So what if the water drops below freezing? Doesn't it crack the walls?

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by nitynity

Thanks guys. So what if the water drops below freezing? Doesn't it crack the walls?

You need to make sure your Temperature sensor on the equipment works. Somewhere around 36 degrees the sensor starts the pumps and circulates the water. This prevents the water from freezing.

Now that's it's fall, you should get a Pool Company out to service & clean your filter and equipment.

[Restrain]

You can add a solar heater and extend your swim season. But the other posters are correct. You don't 'close' the pool. You keep it running, but you can reduce chemicals, etc and shock the pool in the spring. Otherwise you end up with a slimy mess.