Winter Pool Storage Tips
As summer comes to an end you may be looking for a safe storage solution for your backyard pool. Fortunately, a storage unit can be the perfect location to protect these investments while also ensuring they don't overtake what little storage is available in the garage. The following tips will help ensure that you are able to store them properly.
Pop-up and inflatable pools
The modern temporary above-ground pool has come a long way, so you should expect to get many seasons of use from the investment. Following this storage preparation and method will help achieve this goal.
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Drain the pool with an attached hose. This way the water is routed far from the pool so drying it is easier.
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Leave frame pools set up and allow them to air dry. Collapsible pools can be dried with the help of a wet-dry vac and towels. There can be no moisture left on the inside or the outside of the pool, or mildew can grow.
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Fold the pool up loosely. You don't want to press down and cause creases on the liner, since this can create weak spots.
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Store the liner in a large tote or inside a clean, unused garbage can – wheeled cans allow for easy moving.
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Drain the pump, filter, and hoses. Allow these to dry completely. You can store these in with the liner or you can use a separate storage container.
Pool chemicals
The pool chemicals will also require proper storage. These are an investment so you don't want them to be rendered inert over winter, and you also don't want to handle the chemicals improperly and create a safety issue.
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Leave chemicals in their original containers with the original packing label.
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Make sure all lids are on tightly and that the outside of the containers are clean. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, if necessary.
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Drill ventilation holes in the side of a plastic tote. Label the outside of this tote for pool chemical storage only.
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Place the chemical containers in the tote in a single layer. You don't want to stack the chemicals nor do you want them to have room to shift around, since this can lead to spills.
Both the pool and the pool chemicals need to be stored in a storage unit that maintains a moderate temperature and low humidity, so a climate controlled unit is the best option. Chemicals should also be stored off the ground and away from any type of heat source. You will need to check with the storage facility to see if pool chemicals are allowed in storage units, as well. If not, keep the small tote of chemicals at home and use the unit for the bulkier pool.