How many ppl BBB and winterize pool?

[consoleman]

I am fixing to close on a house with our first pool on the 24th. I will have a inground outside pool. I dont know the volume yet because it has a funny shape. I have done some reading and plan on using the BBB method to keep my pool clean. I dont mind putting in the work everyday.

I live in Houston, TX. Sometimes the winters are short or the temperature warms up from being cold from one week to another. Are there people who dont winterize their pool? Im trying to find out if this is something I should/have to do.

[kelemvor]

You need to know if it freezes where you live. If it does, you need to winterize. Water freezing inside the piping and pump/filter will expand and break the pipes or equipment.

It doesn't freeze where I live, and I don't winterize.

If you don't winterize, you also need to run your pump/filter which of course costs a little money in the form of electricity.

[CarlD]

I winterize. I can get over a foot of ice on my pool.

[consoleman]

That makes sense. I just figured it was a way to save money. I will not be winterizing my pool. Thanks

[nefretrameses]

I'm in central Florida and stay open all year. In winter we have to run our pump and sanitize as mentioned by kelemvor. But the amount of time the pump runs and the amount of chemicals required drops considerably compared to summer. Spring and fall are "throttle up and throttle down" periods for both.

[consoleman]

I think I was told to run the pump about 8-12hrs as a rule of thumb or calculate how long it would have to run based on your water amount and pump size. How much shorter do you run pump in the summer than in the off season?

I'm not sure I understand why the pool would cost much higher in the summer than all year. Is it because of the sun and the chlorine?

[PoolDoc]

Less sunlight => lower rate of chlorine loss

Lower temperatures => lower levels of chlorine required to maintain an algae free pool

Fewer swimmers => less 'pool goo' to oxidize.

[nefretrameses]

8 or 9 in summer = the water is not too cold to swim in. As the sun receeds it drops to 6 or so and by Nov. to Mar. 4 or so.