Steps to Prepare Your Swimming Pool Heater for California Winter Months

If you live in California, you avoid the intense cold of winter. However, when the cooler months arrive, you might not use your pool as much, if at all, due to changes in California’s air and climate. If that’s the case, you should consider the benefits of winterizing your pool. Contacting a seasoned pool professional to handle your California pool care can help give you peace of mind in the wintertime.

One of the key steps in winterizing your pool is preparing your pool heater. Preparing your pool heater for the winter months can be an involved process, but it is important for preventing damage like freezing, corrosion, and serious problems like gas explosions.

What Is Winterizing?

Winterizing is the process of preparing something for winter when it won’t be used during that time. Summer homes are winterized to prevent pipes from freezing, and boats are winterized to prevent damage. If you plan not to use your pool during the winter months, you need to do more than cover your pool during that time. In order to protect it, you need to winterize it. Not winterizing could result in expensive damage.

The process of winterizing includes several steps that keep your pool clean and structurally sound when it is out of use. The first step is to thoroughly clean in and around the pool area. Next, check the alkalinity and pH before adding shock, winterizing, and algaecide treatment. Water will need to be removed from the pool so that the water level is below the skimmer. In addition, the plumbing will need to be winterized, and the pool should be covered.

In addition to these steps, one of the most important steps is winterizing your pool heater.

Steps to Winterize Your Pool Heater

Preparing your pool heater for the winter months is extremely important, as it can help you avoid problems like cracking, corrosion, scale buildup, and more. The steps involved are below:

• Step 1: Shut Off Your Gas If you have a gas pool heater, it is vital that you turn off the valves all the way. This will help you prevent a dangerous buildup of gas.
• Step 2: Shut Off Your Power Shut off the power supply to make sure you are safe when preparing the heater.
• Step 3: Turn Off Your Pressure Switch Not all pools have pressure switches, but if yours does, you should turn it off at this time.
• Step 4: Drain Your Heater Disconnect the plumbing leading to your heater and then drain your heater so it is dry during the winter months. By draining your heater, you prevent freezing.
• Step 5: Pull Drain Plugs If your pool has a drain plug, as most do, then you should remove it and put it in storage during the winter season.
• Step 6: Blow Out and Drain Excess Water It is important that you make sure your pool heater is absolutely dry. To do this, use a leaf blower or vacuum to blow out any water that is still there. Then, you can replace your plugs.
• Step 8: Cover and Store Your Pool Heater When you are done winterizing your pool heater, cover it with a tarp or similar covering in order to protect it from debris. Store it in an indoor area to keep it at normal temperatures throughout the season.

While the above steps are relatively straightforward, they can be confusing and time-consuming if you go about them alone. It is vital that you read all manuals that come with your pool equipment and that you carefully follow every step when winterizing. To make this process simpler, you can hire an experienced professional to help with your pool maintenance.

FAQs

Q: Do You Need to Winterize Your Pool in California?

A: While you do not have to winterize your pool in California, winterizing is a useful option if you do not plan to use your pool for several months. When you choose to winterize, you take steps to protect your pool from damage and debris. If you do not winterize, you might spend more money, time, and resources attending to damage from leaving your pool open than you would have paid to winterize.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Close a Pool in California?

A: The precise cost of closing or winterizing your pool in California will vary depending on your specific pool. For instance, factors like the size of your pool and the amount of labor required can all play a role. While you may be concerned about the cost of the process, it is also important to consider how much more money you would spend if you do not properly winterize and thus see damages to your pool equipment.

Q: How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump in the Winter in California?

A: In California, the amount of time that you should run your pool pump during the winter will vary depending on several factors. In general, you should expect to run your pump less than you do in the summer because not only are you likely using your pool less, but you will also see lower rates of evaporation in the winter months.

Q: Do Pool Heat Pumps Work in California?

A: Yes, pool heat pumps work well in California. These pumps are known for being energy-efficient and working well in temperate environments like California. However, it is important to consider that heat pumps will only work if you regularly maintain them. You should regularly inspect them for debris and rely on professionals to clean and maintain them properly.

Aqua Masters Can Help Winterize Your Pool Heater

Winterizing your pool heater can be a difficult process. You need to ensure it is done correctly so that your equipment is protected from any potential damage. By hiring a professional to winterize your pool heater, you ensure no mistakes will be made. Our team at Aqua Masters is happy to help. Contact our team today to find out how we can protect your pool heater.