Winter Pool Maintenance in South Florida
While South Florida doesn’t get freezing temperatures, your pool still needs attention during the winter months. With cooler weather and fewer swimmers, it’s the perfect time to protect your pool, improve efficiency, and prepare for the upcoming season.
Here are some simple winter pool maintenance tips to keep your pool in top shape.
Adjust Pool Pump Run Time
In the summer, your pump may need to run 8 to 10 hours a day. In winter, when temperatures drop, you can reduce run time to 4 to 6 hours. Cooler water slows algae growth, so your system doesn’t need to work as hard.
Make sure to run your pump during the warmest part of the day to keep circulation strong and prevent chemical imbalances.
Keep an Eye on Chemical Levels
Even if you’re not swimming often, your pool water still needs to stay balanced. Test the water weekly for chlorine, pH, and alkalinity. Inconsistent levels can lead to cloudy water, algae, or corrosion.
You’ll likely need fewer chemicals in the winter, but don’t skip testing. A little attention now helps avoid bigger problems later.
Skim and Brush Regularly
Falling leaves and wind-blown debris are common in winter. Skim the surface and empty skimmer baskets a few times a week. Brush the walls and floor of your pool to keep dirt from building up and feeding algae growth.
Regular brushing is especially important if you’re running your system less often.
Check Equipment and Inspect for Leaks
Winter is a great time to inspect your pool equipment. Look for early signs of wear on your filter, pump, and heater. If your pool isn’t heating the way it should or your water level drops faster than normal, it may be time for a professional inspection.
Spotting issues now can save you money and prevent downtime when spring arrives.
Don’t Forget About Your Pool Heater
If you’re using a pool heater during the cooler months, keep an eye on its performance. Make sure it’s working efficiently and clean the filter regularly. A poorly running heater wastes energy and can shorten the life of the unit.
If you’re not using the heater often, consider turning it off completely when not needed.
Take Advantage of Downtime
Since winter is usually a slower season for pool use, it's a good time to schedule routine service or repairs you’ve been putting off. Whether it’s filter maintenance, resurfacing, or tile cleaning, tackling these tasks now means your pool will be ready when the weather warms up.
About Orchid Pools
At Orchid Pools, we provide reliable and professional pool service throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County, Saint Lucie County, and Indian River County. Our team proudly serves homeowners in Port Saint Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, Port Salerno, Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Tequesta, Jupiter, Jupiter Island, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Juno.
We also serve many neighborhoods across the Treasure Coast and South Florida, including White City, Indian River Estates, Lakewood Park, Sewall’s Point, Saint Lucie West, Tradition, Southbend Lakes, Riverland, Sandhill Crossing, Verano, Hutchinson Island South, and Ocean Breeze.
Orchid Pools offers a complete range of residential pool services, including:
Regular pool cleaning and chemical balancing
Filter cleaning and backwashing
Algae and shock treatments
Pool pump repair and replacement
Pool filter system and heater repairs
Pool leak detection and repair
Skimmer and return line repairs
Pool lighting repair
Pool resurfacing, pool replastering, and pool regrouting
Pool saltwater conversions and pool salt cell cleaning
Pool green-to-clean services
Professional pool inspections
For dependable, expert pool care, call Orchid Pools today.