Fall is officially here! This is the time of year that home owners sadly put their pools to bead and the people in the pool industry breath out and settle into a relaxed pace. Don't get us wrong we love our customers, but the pace during the summer is insane at times and the break is a welcome relief.

Now that the pool is not getting much use don't be fooled into the concept that just because you aren't using the pool you really don't need to take care of it. This will get you into a little trouble and a lot of algae. You still need to give your pool some attention or it will grow green with envy and algae. So maintain your routine of checking the pool and keeping the chemistry adjusted and clear blue water will be yours to enjoy until you are ready to close the pool.

Now when should you close the pool? That really depends on what type of cover you have and how fast your pool gets cool. The biggest mistake that mesh cover owners make is closing the pool too early. A mesh cover creates an environment that algae loves; shaded sunlight. If you close your pool before the water is cool enough no matter what you do to treat for algae I will guarantee the pool will have algae in short order. Don't forget that once you see algae more cannot be far behind. So if you are using a mesh cover make sure the water temperature is consistently below 60° Fahrenheit before winterizing the pool. This will give you a better chance of success. When is that you ask? That will vary with where you live, if you live in the frozen north you will be below 60 by the end of September, but if you live in the sunny south it may be November or December before you see those temperatures consistently below 60°. Just make sure you don't winterize too early. Once you are winterized you are done until Super Bowl, during Super Bowl half time you will want to treat your pool with a gallon of winterizing algaecide. That is unless it is frozen and snowing outside then you will want to wait until things warm up a bit. Then you are done until things warm up in the spring. You will want to get the cover off before the water temperature goes above 60°. If you don't the green monster (algae) will get you with out fail!

If you are using a solid winter cover you can close it whenever you are ready and open it whenever you are ready. There are some limits it is best to have the water temperature below 70° before you winterize and it would be wise, depending on where you live to have the pool open by June.

Next month I will get into the advantages and disadvantages of not winterizing your pool. Until then, enjoy this fall while the weather is still nice.

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at www.discountpoolwarehouse.com