As the world changes, so do weather patterns. Predictable seasonal weather is a thing of the past. When it comes to closing down pools for the season, the traditional methods will need to change, too.

Weather experts report that spring is coming earlier, summers are longer and winters are shorter. In many areas, this means that warmer weather could stretch well into November.

Closing by the temperature not the calendar

In Northern areas, pools are closed immediately after Labor Day and forgotten until just before Memorial Day. Closing and opening is done by the calendar. This system of "close it and forget it" could lead to more problems at opening.

Pool pros now are moving to a gradual close as opposed to a hard close of their pools. A gradual close means spreading out the closing over a longer period. It allows for the addition of chemicals like chlorine and algaecide throughout the fall into early winter.

A gradual close goes by the temperature not the calendar. As long as temperatures are staying relatively warm and mild, then the pools should be checked and serviced with chemicals as needed. Once the really cold and freezing weather begins, then the pools are closed down until the temps rise again.

How to close a pool cleanly

To close a pool "clean" means more than just physically cleaning the pool. It means pool professional needs to treat the water so it's in the best state possible before covering the pool for the winter.

One of the most important steps in this process is to test for and treat the pool for phosphates. Lowering the phosphates can make all the difference between opening a pool with algae problems or opening a pool that is still clear and blue in the spring. For the most effective lowering of phosphates, use a commercial-strength phosphate remover.

Another favorite step now frequently used by pool professionals includes using a 90-day algae prevention and remover in the early fall and again just before winter to help to keep the pool algae-free at opening.

For those pools that are kept open and operational throughout the winter, many service professionals are turning to a "winter pill" that combines a clarifier to maintain sparkling clear water, a scale inhibitor to prevent scale build-up and a stain inhibitor to prevent iron, copper and manganese stains.

This all-in-one product is often enzyme-enhanced to naturally destroy all organics to prevent water ring, improve filter performance and sanitizer efficiency. These all-in-one products can be added just before covering the pool to help keep the water clean and free of organics that cause water issues as the weather heats up.

What is done 'in season' can help in the 'offseason'

Keeping pool water clean throughout the summer months will actually help pool professionals close pools at the end of the swimming seasons. Regular shocking throughout the summer with a chlorine-free shock oxidizer reduces the potential for organically bound chloramines that can build up by the end of summer and make treating the water difficult at closing.

Many pool professionals follow the shocking of the pool water with a dose of natural clarifier to ensure the water quality will be crystal clear throughout the swim season and even after the pool is closed. Remember that closing the pool will also be easier at the end of the summer if you have kept the phosphate levels down and oils out of the water throughout the summer months.

Many service pros tell their aquatic facility clients to use weekly treatments throughout the summer — such as the easy-to-use pods that are now on the market and can be simply tossed in the skimmer weekly to ensure that the pool water will be in better shape at closing time. This product has also become popular for service pros on their weekly cleaning routes.

As pool professionals, we need to work to ensure our clients are always happy with their swimming pool. Our ultimate goal is to make it as easy as possible for pool operators to maintain clean and clear pool and spa water.

Implementing a year-round approach to clean, clear swimming pool water helps ensure our aquatic facility clients can focus on programming, increasing attendance and creating a better user experience, rather than worrying about their water.