Why Do We Close Our Pools for the Winter?

Technically, you don’t need to close your pool for the winter, but there are some important things to consider before leaving it open.

Many pool owners close their pools in the early fall or late summer, but if your pool is heated, the idea of leaving it open a little longer can sound appealing. After all, who wouldn’t want to jump into a swimming pool in winter, feeling the warm water even when it’s cold outside? But is that really a good idea?

There are reasons why most pool owners don’t leave their pools open year-round. At Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas, we’re often asked what happens if swimming pools are not closed for the cold season, and we’re here to explain.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of leaving your pool open and why, in most cases, closing your pool in the winter is the better choice.

Do You Have to Close Your Pool for Winter?

The short answer is no; you don’t have to close your pool. But just because you don’t have to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There are pros and cons to both approaches and deciding to leave your pool open all year comes with some risks that might outweigh the rewards.

Pros of Leaving Your Pool Open All Year Round

It might seem like a good idea to leave your pool open for reasons that are worth considering:

1. Swim Whenever You Want

If you’re a fan of swimming year-round, then keeping your pool open in the winter sounds pretty great. With a heated pool, you can swim nearly whenever you like, no matter the weather.

If you’re wondering, “Do pools freeze in the winter?” the answer is yes, they can, but more on that later. For now, let’s focus on the fact that in milder temperatures, a heated pool lets you enjoy your favorite aquatic activities even when there’s a chill in the air.

It’s not safe to swim when the outside temperature is below freezing. But if you can handle a slight chill on the way out, why not take a dip?

2. Save Money by Not Opening or Closing the Pool

Opening and closing a swimming pool in winter does take time and effort. Many pool owners hire professionals to handle these tasks, which comes with added costs. If you leave your pool open, you won’t have to deal with these seasonal expenses. No more hiring someone to help open your pool in the spring and close it in the fall—you’ll avoid those costs altogether.

3. Keep the Pool Clean All Year Round

When you close your swimming pool in winter, it will accumulate debris and grime over the season. One of the most frustrating things is cleaning all the debris and grime once you open the pool in spring.

Even with a solid pool cover, leaves, bugs, and other unwanted guests often find their way in. If you leave your pool open year-round, you can keep it clean consistently. This means no more dreaded spring clean-ups that require hours of scrubbing and shocking your pool back to life.

Cons of Leaving Your Pool Open All Year Round

While the idea of keeping your pool open all winter may sound appealing, there are some significant downsides you might want to consider.

1. Cold Weather Can Damage Your Pool

Do pools freeze in the winter?

Yes, they do—especially if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures. In other words, even if you love the idea of diving into a swimming pool in winter, Mother Nature can have other plans.

Sub-zero temperatures can also damage your pool. When water freezes, it expands. If your pool’s surface freezes, the expanding ice can damage your pool’s structure, particularly if you have a vinyl liner. Even small cracks or tears can require costly repairs.

While fiberglass pools are more durable, they’re not immune to damage from freezing temperatures. The cost of repairing your pool can quickly outweigh the convenience of leaving it open all winter.

2. Risk of Damaged Plumbing

Freezing temperatures pose another risk: they can damage your pool’s plumbing. If the pipes that carry water to and from your pool freeze, they can crack and burst.

This can happen especially during a power outage when you can no longer heat your pool or its plumbing. Repairs to broken pool plumbing can be very expensive, and this risk increases if you don’t close your pool in winter.

3. Pool Equipment Can Be Damaged

Even if you heat your pool, there are still risks to your equipment. Most pool heat pumps, for example, stop functioning well below 50 °F. At this point, even if you want to heat your pool, you might find that your equipment just isn’t up to the task.

Additionally, salt chlorinators, which are common in many pools, can’t produce chlorine at temperatures below 60 °F. This means that even with a pool heater, you may struggle to keep your water properly sanitized, which can lead to a buildup of bacteria and algae.

Running your pool equipment under such conditions can also cause it to break down more quickly, leading to expensive repairs or replacements.

4. High Energy Costs

If you’re determined not to close the pool in the winter, you’ll need to run your heater nearly nonstop to prevent it from freezing. This means your energy bills will be through the roof.

Depending on the size of your pool and the type of heater you have, keeping the pool at a swim-ready temperature could end up costing you far more than the seasonal expenses of closing and reopening it.

5. Extra Maintenance

Another downside to leaving your pool open in the winter is that you’ll need to keep maintaining it. That means continuing to clean the pool, balance the chemicals, and check the filtration system.

During the summer, this can feel like a routine part of owning a pool. But in the winter, when you’re dealing with colder weather and potentially more debris (especially if you have trees nearby), this can become a real hassle.

Should You Close Your Pool for the Winter?

While there are a few advantages to keeping your pool open all year, the risks and costs associated with it far outweigh the benefits. That’s the reason most homeowners choose to keep their swimming pools closed during the cold season.

If you close your pool for the winter, you can:

• Prevent damage to the pool’s structure caused by freezing water.
• Protect your plumbing from freezing and cracking.
• Extend the life of your pool equipment by avoiding overuse during the coldest months.
• Save money on energy costs by not running your pool heater all winter.
• Save yourself time and effort by not having to maintain your pool during the off-season.

Contact Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas for Help and Supplies

It might sound tempting to leave your swimming pool open in winter, but keeping it closed is often the smarter choice. It keeps your pool safe, saves you money, and ensures that when you open it again in the spring, everything is in great condition.

If you’re not sure how to close your pool properly or need help with winterizing your pool equipment, we’re here for you. At Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas, we offer all the supplies, tools, and advice you need to keep your pool in top shape year-round. Whether you require help with chemicals, covers, or general maintenance, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today for a stress-free winter!

Posted by Aqua Leisure Pools & Spas in Pools