You'd think getting a pool ready for winter or opening it up for summer would be pretty simple, wouldn't you? Just pump it out, cover it up, or uncover it, fill it, and get the filter going. But, honestly, I've seen enough folks here in Cleveland, TN, make the same blunders year after year. What should be a quick service often turns into a real headache and an expensive one at that. As a local guy who's been doing this for a long time, I want to share some things to watch out for. That way, you won't end up regretting your decisions later.
Mistake #1: Waiting Until the Last Minute (Either Season)
This is probably the biggest one out there. When that first cold snap hits, say in October, suddenly everyone remembers their pool needs winterizing. Or, come April, the sun's shining, and everyone wants their pool open yesterday. What happens then? Service providers, us at Oasis Pools included, get swamped. You're either waiting weeks for an appointment, or you're shelling out extra for rush service. Sometimes, you can't even get someone out before temperatures drop too low, which really risks freeze damage.
It's the same story for opening. If you hold off until it's 80 degrees and green algae is practically blooming, you're not just waiting for a service slot. You're also looking at extra costs for chemicals and labor just to get that water swim-ready. So, plan ahead, folks. Give us a call in late September for winterization or late March for opening. You'll get better service, better scheduling, and probably save some cash too.
Mistake #2: DIYing Without Knowing What You're Doing
I get it. You're handy, you watch a few YouTube videos, and you think,