Should I Shut Down My Sunshine Coast Pool in the Winter

As winter approaches us in British Columbia, the perennial question arises whether you should shut down your pool in the winter. And the answer to that question is not as simple as you may think. 

Most people shut down their pools because most people don’t want to swim in the winter. And you should not keep your pool open if no one will use it because it will cost more money to heat it in winter than in summer. 

The main reason why we shut down pools in the winter is to avoid water freezing inside any pipes or equipment. This is the same reason why we blow out sprinkler systems in the winter, so there is air in the pipes instead of water. Water expands when it freezes, and frozen water can damage pipes and equipment. 

Water has a high specific heat. That means that a lot of energy is required to heat water one degree. When the ambient temperature outside is quite cold, even more energy is required. 

Also, your chemistry needs and dosing may change slightly as the water cools. You will have to check your chemicals religiously to make sure the water is balanced in the winter. 

So, the answer to the question in the title of this article is “probably” but shutting down your pool is not required. 

In conclusion, you should probably shut down your pool in the winter unless you are absolutely sure you will use it, and you take special care that water does not freeze inside any pipes or equipment which will require continuous heating and water movement. But you don’t have to shut it down, and cold water swimmers may want to keep it open all year round. 

Sunshine Coast Pools, a division of Taylor Made Pools, designs, builds, and repairs vinyl-liner swimming pools on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Vancouver Island. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about vinyl pools, please call us at (778) 537-2003.