Closing Your Pool for a Pennsylvania Winter

Pennsylvania winters are hard on swimming pools. Freezing and thawing put stress on plumbing, equipment and liners, and a pool that was closed in a hurry often tells you so the following spring. The good news is that a proper closing is a well-understood job. Here is what matters, based on how Bob's Swimming Pool Service & Repair Inc. approaches closings for pool owners in Camp Hill and the surrounding area.

What a good closing includes

A closing is not just putting a cover on the pool. The goal is to leave the water, equipment and structure in a condition that holds up for months with no attention from you.

• Cleaning the pool. Debris left in the water over winter breaks down and causes stains and algae that are much harder to fix in spring.
• Treating the water. The chemistry is adjusted before closing so the pool stays in good shape while it is covered.
• Protecting the plumbing and equipment. Water left in lines, pumps, filters and heaters can freeze and crack them. Equipment needs to be prepared so that cannot happen.
• Setting the water level correctly. The right level depends on the pool and the type of cover, which is one reason this is worth leaving to someone who has done it many times.
• Securing the cover. A cover that is not fitted and anchored properly can shift, sag or let debris in.

Timing matters too. A pool closed while the water is still clean and the equipment is easy to reach is far simpler to close well than one left until the first hard freeze is already in the forecast. If you are not sure when to schedule, ask Bob when you call, and he will tell you what makes sense for your pool and your cover. Closing it well also makes the next spring opening quicker, because the water, the cover and the equipment come out of winter in better shape.

Why a safety cover is worth considering

Bob's installs safety covers as part of its Repair & Service work, and for many Pennsylvania pools they are a strong choice. A safety cover is anchored around the edge of the pool, which keeps it taut and stable, and it is designed to hold weight rather than simply keep leaves out. That matters for families with children or pets, and it matters in a region where snow and ice load up a cover for months. A properly fitted cover also keeps the pool cleaner through the winter, which makes the spring opening easier.

If you already have a cover, it is worth checking its condition every season. Fraying, stretched or damaged straps and anchors are a reason to talk to a professional before you rely on it again.

The chrome ladder tip

One of the small details that separates a careful closing from a rushed one is where the leftover chemicals go. A customer review published on the Bob's website, from Dale Evelyn L, put it this way: “We also like the fact the Bob informed us of several tips (like storing our chemicals in a different location from the chrome plated ladders to prevent corrosion).”

That is a simple habit with real payoff. Pool chemicals give off fumes, and chrome plated ladders and rails are exactly the kind of fixtures that suffer when those fumes sit near them in a closed space. Store chemicals in a separate spot, keep containers tightly sealed, and keep them away from metal fixtures, tools and anything you want to last. Always keep them out of reach of children and pets.

What customers notice

Dale Evelyn L's full review said: “Bob and his staff are total professionals. Their knowledge and expertise are outstanding. We have used the service for several years now and the opening and closing of our pool was performed at the highest standard.” Another customer, Deanna Aponte, wrote on Google that Bob “takes his time and makes sure everything is ready.” Both describe the same quality: someone who explains what he is doing and treats the pool with care.

A winter note for Camp Hill

Bob's also runs a snow removal service for driveways, sidewalks and parking lots, with ice control and salting, so the same company that closes your pool can help keep the property clear once winter arrives.

Schedule your closing

Bob is on every job, and Bob's schedules by appointment on weekdays and weekends. Call (717) 761-5030 to book your closing, or to ask about a safety cover. Free Estimates are available, and you can find the full list of pool services on our Services page.