Gorlin Pools-NJ Custom Pools and Waterscapes

Q & A

1. Is there anything I can do to prevent my pool from opening “green” or “black”?

1. Answer – Testing the water chemistry at the closing and closing the pool with the water properly balanced will go a long way to keeping the water clear for the opening. If your pool is closed more than 5 months a chemical boost in mid winter is a good idea. Pull the cover back in the deep end, test the water and add the necessary portions. Remember to circulate the water with a submersible pump for proper disbursements of the chemicals. A small amount of chemicals applied one time in mid winter could save you money and time at the pool opening. Often, these “winter watch” services can be provided for you. Check with your service company.

2. Do I have to balance the water before I close it?

2. Answer – It is always important to keep the pool water balanced. However, the most important time to balance the water chemistry is before the pool is closed. When you think about it, during the season the filter is running 8-12 hours per day, you add chemicals weekly, and you vacuum often. During the winter, the cover is on, the water is stagnant and not being filtered plus no chemicals are being added. When the cover is on the pool you forget about it. No one pays attention to their pool during the winter. However, this is when the most amount of damage can and does occur. The northeast, freeze/thaw cycle and un balanced water chemistry are your worst enemies.

3. Is it OK to let water accumulate on top of the winter cover?

3. Answer – If you have a “water bag” cover a little bit of water is good. You should try to maintain 1” of water on top of the cover all the time. Caution and attention should be placed at the center of the pool where the weight of the water will sink the cover and to much water can accumulate there, causing the cover to pull and fall into the pool. This 1” of water will help to keep the cover in place and prevent it from blowing in the breeze. Caution and attention to safety however is vital. Drowning can occur in 1” of water on top of a “water bag” cover.
If you have a “safety cover” with mesh material the cover should remain dry all winter. If snow accumulates, leave it alone until it thaws and drains through the mesh cover and into the pool. If you have a “safety cover” with solid material a submersible pump “MUST” be used to prevent water from accumulating on top of the cover. These covers are not designed to carry the weight of the water. The extra water weight could cause to cover to tear.

4. When should I open my pool? When should I schedule the opening?

4. Answer – I never tell anyone when to open their pool. That is up to you and your family.  The tradition in my family is to open the pool on March 1st every year. Then, we close the pool in the morning and that after noon we have Thanksgiving dinner. 9 months with the cover off. No I’m not crazy. I don’t actually swim in the pool that early, or that late. However, my pool adds to the quality of my life and my life style. With the cover off and the pool open, the sound of the water and the vision of that clear, crisp, shinny blue makes me feel good. So, while my neighbors are inside in March and April or October and November, I’m on my deck, sipping coffee, reading the paper and enjoying the sights and sounds of my pool. To conserve energy and save money I run the filter on an abbreviated schedule and I won’t run the heater unless I know I’m going in that day or the next day. If that sounds good to you…try it. I have photos of my pool opened in March with snow falling on the floating rafts and toys. We love that photo!

Now, most service companies offer the opening schedule on a first come first serve basis. You should call in February or March after looking at a calendar and determining what day you would like to be swimming. Schedule the pool to be open two weeks before that day but schedule it in February or March.

For more information visit our website at http://www.gorlinpools.com.