How to Prevent Ice Damage Around Your Swimming Pool

Many homeowners tend to forget about their pool after their professional pool closing in Newmarket. While your pool may no longer be in use, it can still sustain damage during the off-season. This is why regular inspections are essential, even through the fall and winter, and especially given how harsh Canadian weather can be. Ice accumulation is a common occurrence throughout the winter, and it can wreak havoc on your pool. Ice can lead to damaged tiles, damaged plumbing, and overall, expensive repairs. If you have noticed any ice building up around your pool, reach out to Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs. 

Here are some tips on how to use your pool supplies to minimize ice accumulation around your pool.

Understand How Ice Damage Occurs

Throughout the fall and winter, temperatures drop and snow and rainfall increase dramatically. Naturally, water and snow will accumulate around the pool, and when the temperature drops, ice can form around the edges of your pool. As water freezes, it expands, putting excess pressure on the surrounding areas like your pool deck tiles, pipes, and the surrounding concrete. Some common signs of ice damage include:

• Tiles lifting around your pool
• Broken or torn pool liner
• Damaged decking
• Frost accumulation around your pool cover

Tips for Minimizing Ice Around the Pool

You need to be proactive in order to minimize ice accumulation around your pool this fall and winter. With the proper measures, you can keep your pool safe throughout the off-season.
Ensure Proper Drainage Around the Pool Area

Standing water is the leading cause of ice accumulation in the fall and winter. Ensuring that you have proper drainage in your backyard will make sure that water doesn’t freeze in large amounts. If you do not already have a drainage system around your pool, you will need to consider one in the spring. 

Maintain Your Pool Cover

Throughout the winter, you need to ensure that your pool cover remains tight. This will prevent water from accumulating in the centre of your pool cover. It is important to note that throughout the winter, the strong winds and weather can displace your cover weights. So you should periodically inspect them, especially after storms, to ensure that they remain in place.

Choose the Right Ice Removal Methods

If ice ends up building up around your pool, you need to use a safe and effective method to break up and remove the ice. Plastic shovels, brooms, or pool-safe ice melt products (not salt-based) can be effective. Just ensure that you are gentle around your outer pool deck tiles. Gentle tap away at large accumulations and remove them where possible. Leave any ice in the centre of your pool cover, as this can be dangerous to access and remove. Instead, call the experts at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs for assistance.

Keep Your Pool Ice-Free All Year Long

Ice accumulations around your pool can be damaging, dangerous, and unsightly. Having a strong drainage system installed during the pool building process can help prevent this. However, if this is not the case, you can take other measures to prevent ice. If you are struggling with ice damage after your pool closing in Newmarket, call Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs for maintenance. 

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