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Call Us: 410-549-1644
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Call: 410-549-1644

Winter Pool Care Tips: A Little Effort Now… A Big Payoff in Spring

We know that right now, when temps are cold and ice is a regular part of your daily commute, the swimming season feels like a distant memory. …but your pool hasn’t completely gone into hibernation. In fact, giving your pool a little attention during the colder months is the best way to protect your investment and ensure that when the first warm day of spring hits, you aren’t stuck dealing with a swampy mess or expensive repairs.

At Waterworks Pools & Spas, we want to make sure your pool opening is as smooth as possible. Rely on us for pool parts, equipment, supplies, and more.

What Should I Do With My Home Pool After Rain or Snow?

Whether it’s a heavy rain or a classic Maryland snowstorm, every weather event affects your pool in some way. And standing water or heavy ice on top of your cover is more than just an eyesore – it’s a risk. For above-ground pools, the weight of ice and water can actually pull on the walls, leading to structural damage. For inground pools, it can pull the cover right into the water. Here’s what to do:

  • Check Water Levels: Ensure the water underneath the cover stays at the proper winterization level (usually 4 – 6 inches below the skimmer). If the water level drops too low due to a leak, the cover loses its support and the weight of snow can snap the springs or pull the walls inward.
  • Drain Excess Water: Use a cover pump to remove water promptly. If left to freeze, that weight can become too much for your cover to handle. Aim to keep the cover as dry as possible to prevent the pump from freezing into the ice or the cover from sagging into the pool.
  • Remove Heavy Snow: If you get a heavy accumulation, gently use a soft-bristled pool brush or a telescopic broom to push snow off the edges. Never use a shovel or sharp tool, as these can easily puncture the cover material.
  • Inspect Tension: Periodically check that your cover cables or safety springs are tight. High winds and heavy precipitation can loosen hardware, leaving your pool vulnerable to debris or accidental entry.

How Should I Attend To My Home Pool After Severe Wind?

High gusts can toss limbs, debris, and even patio furniture onto your cover, compromising its integrity. Here is how to handle the aftermath of a storm:

  • Scan for Damage: Look for tears, rips, or punctures caused by fallen branches or sharp debris. Even a small hole can expand quickly under the weight of heavy snow or tension from the wind.
  • Clear the Surface: Remove any foreign objects from the cover as soon as possible. Large branches or heavy debris can act like an anchor, pulling the cover unevenly and putting unnecessary stress on your pool walls or anchors.
  • Manage the Water (With Caution): Drain excess water…but keep an eye on your cover pump! Windy storms are often followed by rain, and while you want that weight off the top, you must ensure the pump is positioned correctly.

If your cover has a hole in it, your pump might start pulling water from inside the pool through the cover. Check periodically to make sure the water level inside the pool isn’t dropping, as this can lead to a total structural collapse.

Do I Need a Winter Algicide Boost for My Home Pool?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that algae can’t grow in the winter. While cold water slows it down, those occasional “warm” winter days can provide just enough sunlight and warmth for algae to take hold. We recommend applying a winter algaecide boost – specifically Algae All 60 – in January or February. An extra dose now keeps water cleaner until spring opening!

How to apply it:

  • Solid Covers: Carefully peel back the corners and pour the treatment directly into the water.
  • Mesh Covers: Pour the algicide directly onto the mesh before a rain or snow, so the precipitation can naturally wash the chemicals into the pool.

Do I Need Chlorine for My Home Pool in the Winter?

We get asked this a lot! The truth is, it depends on your preference and your pool type. Because cold water slows bacteria, high levels of chlorine aren’t strictly required, but you have options:

  • Add nothing beyond closing chemicals and shock until spring (this may lead to more cleanup later).
  • Use a winter floater with tablets.
  • Add a splash of liquid chlorine occasionally.

Mark Your Calendar for Our Upcoming Sales

Winter is actually the best time to shop for the upcoming pool season come spring. Beat the rush and save money with our upcoming events:

  • January: Spa Fragrance Sale (extended through 1/24/2026)
  • February: Presidents’ Day Pool Sale
  • March: Stock Up Chemical Sale
  • April: Tru2Blue
  • May: Polaris Days Savings

We’re Here to Help!

A little winter maintenance now reduces spring cleanup time and prevents costly repairs. If you aren’t sure which chemicals are right for your specific setup, just give us a call or stop by the store. We’re here Monday through Saturday from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. Reach out soon!

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Why Is Regular Pool Water Testing So Important?

Even water that looks clean can be harboring chemical imbalances that shorten the lifespan of your pool or cause discomfort for swimmers. Testing regularly allows us to catch small shifts before they become big problems. When we test your pool water, we look at more than just chlorine and pH.

  • Chlorine and sanitizer levels help ensure bacteria and algae are kept in check without over-chlorinating.

  • pH and alkalinity balance prevent corrosion and staining on metal fixtures and tiles.

  • Calcium hardness guards against etching, scaling, and cloudy water.

  • Stabilizer (CYA) and metal content identify issues common in Mount Airy’s water sources, such as copper staining or cloudy buildup.

If left unchecked, unbalanced water can corrode equipment, weaken liners, and even cause eye or skin irritation. Test every week or two and always after heavy rain or large pool gatherings to help prevent costly repairs later.

Original infographic with a white background and blue accents explaining “Why Is Pool Water Testing Important?” in bold white text on a blue header. Four circular blue icons are aligned vertically on the left: the first shows a test strip in wavy water, the second a digital meter, the third a weight with a droplet symbol, and the fourth a dropper bottle with a small gear. Each icon corresponds to text on the right in dark blue font. The text reads: “Chlorine and sanitizer levels help ensure bacteria and algae are kept in check,” “pH and alkalinity balance prevent corrosion and staining,” “Calcium hardness guards against etching, scaling, and cloudy water,” and “Stabilizer (CYA) and metal content identify potential threats.” The layout is clean and organized, using blue shades for a refreshing aquatic theme.

How Do Maryland’s Seasons Affect Pool Chemistry?

Mount Airy weather has a mind of its own, swinging from hot, humid summers to cold winters. These seasonal changes can dramatically impact water chemistry, even if your pool looks fine. During humid summers, water evaporation can concentrate minerals and raise calcium hardness. Heavy rains in spring dilute chemicals, throwing off your pH and sanitizer levels.

  • After thunderstorms, acidic rain can lower your pH within hours.

  • Extended heat causes chlorine to dissipate faster, especially without a stabilizer.

  • Early spring pollen introduces organic material that feeds algae.

  • Frosty fall nights can shock your system, making water chemistry fluctuate overnight.

Our team adjusts your treatment plan seasonally so you don’t face green water in July or scaling in September. The goal is steady balance all year, not reactionary fixes.

What Makes Our Water Testing Different?

Plenty of stores sell DIY test kits, but accuracy matters when you’re protecting thousands of gallons of water and expensive pool equipment. At Waterworks Pools & Spas, we use advanced lab testing systems that measure each chemical level precisely, down to parts per million. This allows us to diagnose subtle issues that test strips miss.

  • In-store lab analysis with high-precision equipment ensures exact readings.

  • Detailed printouts show every chemical’s range and how it compares to ideal levels.

  • Personalized chemical recommendations make it easy to rebalance your pool correctly the first time.

  • Expert guidance ensures you understand not just what’s off, but why.

We keep records of your test results to track patterns, such as recurring pH drops or seasonal calcium spikes, so future maintenance becomes easier and more predictable.

What If Your Pool Water Has Been Neglected or Turned Green?

A green or murky pool doesn’t always mean you need to drain it. Most of the time, it’s a matter of chemistry — and we can bring it back fast. When you bring in a sample, we identify exactly what’s causing the problem. It could be algae growth, low chlorine, high phosphate levels, or a buildup of metals from source water.

We then guide you through a recovery plan that includes:

  • Using the correct shock dosage to sanitize effectively.

  • Balancing pH and alkalinity to support sanitizer performance.

  • Inspecting filters to ensure circulation supports recovery.

  • Retesting once the pool clears to confirm long-term stability.

In just a few days, most pools transform from swampy to sparkling, as long as chemistry, filtration, and maintenance work together.

Why Mount Airy Homeowners Trust Waterworks Pools & Spas

We’ve served Mount Airy and nearby communities for years, helping homeowners care for pools through unpredictable weather and diverse water conditions. Our reputation is built on personal service, honesty, and results. When you walk into our store, you won’t find pushy sales tactics. You’ll meet a team genuinely interested in helping your pool perform its best.

We know local water trends, from the hard water in older neighborhoods to the iron-heavy wells out in the countryside. That’s why our testing and treatment recommendations aren’t generic… They’re designed for Mount Airy specifically. Our regular customers appreciate that we remember their pools, their systems, and even their preferences for chlorine or saltwater.

Keep Your Pool Safer and More Enjoyable All Season

A perfectly balanced pool isn’t luck, it’s consistency. By letting Waterworks Pools & Spas handle your pool water testing, you’ll enjoy cleaner water, longer-lasting equipment, and peace of mind every time you swim.

Whether your pool is brand-new or decades old, we make sure it’s healthy from the inside out. Bring in a water sample today and let our professionals handle the chemistry while you focus on enjoying your backyard. At Waterworks Pools & Spas near Mount Airy, we turn cloudy water into crystal-clear confidence – one test at a time.