Matt Gohlke

For swimming pool owners, it would be great if we knew exactly what the weather was going to be like this winter. But unfortunately, we do not.

The best we can do is look at long-range weather forecasts and then base our decisions on these forecasts. There’s no better resource to check than The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which says the following about the weather that we can expect in the North Texas area this winter:

“Winter temperatures will be one to two degrees below normal, on average, with the coldest periods in the first half of December, early and late January, and mid-February. Precipitation will be slightly below normal, with above-normal snowfall from the Alamo to the Metroplex and below-normal snowfall elsewhere. The snowiest periods will be in mid-December, early to mid-January, and mid- and late February. April and May will be warmer and drier than normal, with hot temperatures in mid- and late May.”

Based on this forecast that it will be a slightly colder-than-normal winter, there will soon come a time when pool owners will need to decide what to do with their swimming pool this winter.

Depending on several variables (number of trees surrounding the pool, pool location, whether you heat the pool in the winter, etc.), there are basically four options for winter pool care, which are:

Continue operation

For the past 15 to 20 years, this has been the most popular option. One of the main reasons why is that pools have become more aesthetic and many pools are now the focal point of the backyard. The advantage of not covering a swimming pool is that you get to visually enjoy the pool over the winter.

The disadvantage is you will still need to run the pump and chemically treat your pool, both of which cost money.

In addition, if you have trees which drop leaves, you will have 6 to 8 weeks in the fall when maintaining the pool will be a job — it can be a daily chore to remove the leaves from the pool.

Once the leaves have fallen, pool care once again becomes manageable and pump run time can be cut back substantially.

If this is the option that you choose, be sure that the pump is running when the air temperature is freezing. This will prevent freeze damage to the plumbing and the filtration system.

If you decide to continue operating your pool and you really enjoy swimming, you might consider having a pool heater installed.

Pool heaters allow you to swim at least 9 to 10 months out of the year, as opposed to approximately 6 to 7 months without a heater. When the weather is extremely cold, typically in January and February, even pool owners that have heaters usually surrender to the weather.

Cover your pool

Since the Denton area has such a great amount of trees (especially oaks), mesh covers have become increasingly popular in recent years. Mesh covers allow water to get through but catch the leaves.

Basically, it allows you to keep the leaves and other debris out of the pool, but since the cover allows the rainwater to pass through, you will still need to run the pump periodically and also add chemicals as needed.

A properly installed mesh cover (which resembles a trampoline bed placed over your pool) sometimes even allows you to blow the leaves off with the help of yard tools.

While a very popular option in the past, solid pool covers are being used far less often because of the mild winters of late.

It is a good method to use if you do not want utility or chemical costs, as the filtration equipment is drained and turned off for the winter.

Drain the equipment and leave the pool uncovered?

This is the worst option. Draining the filtration equipment does protect the pool from freeze damage, but without any chemical treatment, and allowing rain, leaves and other contaminants to enter, the pool turns into a swamp.

The debris, if not cleaned out, can cause staining on the pool surface. In addition, this method usually calls for a thorough cleaning in the spring.

Denton area pool owners likely have used all of these winter pool care options, but the best method is the one that fits you and your pool.

Matt Gohlke, certified building professional, is the owner of Gohlke Pools and a member of the National Spa & Pool Institute, Aquatech (a society of pool building professionals), Better Business Bureau and an authorized dealer of Bioguard and Baquacil. His firm has received many national awards, certifications and recognitions in the swimming pool industry. Mr. Gohlke may be reached 940-387-7521.