Every Texan’s Guide to Pool & Spa Care in Winter

Being the owner of a pool and spa is incredible. It also means that you have the added responsibility of keeping up with the maintenance that these amazing aquatic forms of entertainment require. Don’t worry! Bonnie & Clyde’s Pools and Spas has been serving the Fort Worth Metroplex for over 40 years. When it comes to your pool and spa, we’ve got what you need to keep them healthy and safe for enjoyment. We also offer the help you need to make that happen. Here is every Texan’s guide to pool & spa care in the winter.

Extend Swimming Enjoyment 

First, you want to get as much enjoyment out of your swimming pool as you possibly can. Many people think that Labor Day signals the closing of the pool for the year. However, this does not have to be the deadline for the end of your family’s use of your swimming pool — especially living in Texas.  

This is one of the reasons why you should invest in a pool heater to extend your swimming season before and after the summer. Getting a pool heater enables you to get more use out of the pool, which is an all-around win. You and your family can stay active and continue to have aquatic exercise capabilities nearby. 

A pool heater does not require much extra care either. You will want to keep the pool covered when you’re not using it so that the heater can do its job well. The biggest maintenance tip is to make sure that the heater doesn’t collect any debris. Otherwise, you just do your regular pool maintenance and continue to enjoy the water with your family whenever you can. 

Review the Rudiments of Pool Maintenance

If you need to review the rudiments of pool maintenance, here is a quick course on “The Three C’s of Pool Care.” You always want to ensure that you are keeping the pool water safe for occupancy. It never hurts to brush up on the basics.

#1 C – Chemistry

Since the pool will not be used on a daily basis during this cooler season, you won’t need to balance the chemistry as often as you would during peak swimming season. However, be sure that you test the water regularly, and definitely before you plan a spontaneous pool day. Keep an eye on the chlorine (1-3 ppm), total alkalinity (80-120 ppm), and pH (7.2-7.8) levels when you test the water.

#2 C – Cleaning

Efficient equipment is your greatest asset when it comes to keeping the pool clean. We have excellent automatic cleaners available for your selection. One brand of high quality cleaners that we have on hand is Polaris® pool cleaners, which are known as the #1 swimming pool cleaner worldwide. 

Be sure to run the vacuum before you swim, and monitor the filter as well. Keeping the pool covered will help to keep debris out. It is also wise to have a brush and skimmer net on hand when small cleaning tasks need to be done.

#3 C – Circulation

The final c to cover is the circulation of the pool water. The filtration system is crucial for safe water that is ready for swimmers. You need to run the pump at least one hour for every 10 degrees of temperature. This allows the chemicals to make their way throughout the pool to do their work. You can easily turn on the pump and filter before you go to bed to cut down on operation costs and to keep the habit in your regular routine.

Prepare the Pool for Its Pause

All good things end at some point, right? Eventually you will not enjoy a brief swim, even with your heater working full time, because the outside temperatures will just not be comfortable for a swim. When the weather ceases to cooperate with your lengthened swimming season, you want to quickly prepare the pool for its pause in operation. 

Bonnie & Clyde’s has many helpful resources for our pool and spa family. Here is a helpful video on how to winterize your pool. We also have all of the necessary pool supplies, from Burleson to Decatur and in between, to help you with this crucial task. Our knowledgeable staff is available to answer any questions you have.

Who knows Texas aquatic entertainment better than a Texas icon in the pool & spa industry? Bonnie & Clyde’s Pools and Spas have our very own line of high quality pool & spa chemicals that you can stock up on. Above-ground pools are our area of expertise, and we are happy to share our experience with you.

Handle the Hot Tub with TLC

Finally, every Texan’s guide to pool & spa care in winter must mention how to handle the hot tub with extra TLC. A hot tub can be utilized year round. But there is something extra special about relaxing in the swirling water when the weather outside is brisk.

Prepping your hot tub for the cold season will give you the freedom to enjoy the warm water whenever you’d like to. Spontaneous date nights or family game nights can be easily spent in the hot tub when you keep up with the regular maintenance the spa requires.

You will want to perform weekly water checks to verify that the chemical levels are balanced for safe soaking. A drain and fill — which includes draining, cleaning, and refilling — is recommended once every three months as a general rule. Be sure to check the filter regularly to make sure that it is sitting properly and is not clogged or dirty.

Keep the cover on the hot tub when it is sitting idle. This is the best way to keep the heat and chemicals in and to keep contaminants out of the water. The cover needs to be wiped off regularly as well to keep anything unpleasant from building up on it. 

One more thing to monitor is the soundness of the stairs. Safety is always important, and you want your entrance and exit to be secure. We have five convenient locations where you can get anything you need to care for your pool or spa year-round. Come see us today!