Pool winterization in Exeter
Professional pool winterization services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Swimming pool properly winterized to survive the cold months without damage. Water chemistry balanced, equipment protected from frost, cover fitted securely. Open it in spring to clear water, not green soup.
Protect Your Investment Through Winter
You've spent thousands on a pool. Now you need to protect it through 5 months of Devon frost without cracked pipes, dead pumps, or algae that needs draining and refilling to fix.
💡 Pro tip: The number one cause of pool damage isn't the cold itself - it's water expanding when it freezes in pipes and equipment. Draining vulnerable components properly is crucial, not optional.
Why Professional Winterization Matters
Here's what separates pools that open easily in spring from expensive repair jobs:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Bodged DIY |
|---|---|
| Pipes drained, equipment protected | Cracked pump, split filter housing |
| Water treated, chemistry balanced | Green algae swamp in spring |
| Cover fitted tight, debris out | Cover full of water and leaves |
| Equipment stored or protected | Everything corroded and seized |
What You Get
❄️ The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Treat | Water chemistry balanced, winter chemicals added |
| Drain | Vulnerable pipes and equipment drained completely |
| Protect | Pump and filter winterized, stored or protected |
| Cover | Winter cover fitted properly with tensioners |
📦 You're Left With
- Pool ready to sit unused all winter
- No frost damage to equipment
- Water staying clear (not green)
- Easy spring reopening
Pricing Guide
| Pool Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small above-ground pool | 1 hr | £60 |
| Standard in-ground pool | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Pool with heat pump/complex equipment | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Winter chemicals cost separately if I'm supplying.
Perfect For Your Pool If...
✅ In-ground pool - expensive to repair if frost-damaged
✅ Heat pump or complex equipment - needs proper shutdown procedure
✅ Want easy spring opening - clear water, working equipment
✅ First winter - don't know what you're doing yet
Why Choose Us for Pool winterization in Exeter?
Water chemistry balanced for winter
Pipes and equipment protected from frost
Pool covered securely
Ready to reopen easily in spring
What to Expect
Step 1: Water Treatment
I'll test and balance your water chemistry (pH, alkalinity, chlorine), then add winter algaecide and shock treatment. The goal is water that stays clear all winter, not a science project. Lower the water level to below skimmers and returns if needed.
Step 2: Equipment Protection
Drain the pump, filter, heater, and all pipework - anything that holds water that could freeze and crack. Remove drain plugs and store them safely (they always go missing). If you've got a heat pump or auto-doser, those get winterized according to manufacturer specs.
Step 3: Cover & Secure
Fit your winter cover properly - it should be tight with no sagging middle where water and debris collect. Use all the tensioners/weights/anchors it came with. A badly fitted cover is worse than no cover because it traps mess you then can't reach.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to winterize your pool yourself? Here's how to do it without expensive mistakes:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Water test kit
- Pool chemicals (winter algaecide, chlorine shock)
- Pump for lowering water level
- Buckets for draining equipment
- Labels for drain plugs (trust me)
- Winter cover and securing kit
💧 Water chemistry
- Test pH (aim for 7.2-7.6), alkalinity (80-120ppm), chlorine (1-3ppm)
- Shock treat the pool (double the normal chlorine dose)
- Add winter algaecide according to pool volume
- Run pump for 24hrs to distribute chemicals thoroughly
- Lower water level to 10-15cm below skimmers
🔧 Equipment winterization
- Turn off and unplug pump
- Open drain plugs on pump, filter, heater, chlorinator
- Remove and store drain plugs in a labelled bag (they WILL get lost)
- Blow out pipes using shop-vac or compressor if you're competent
- Remove pump and filter to shed/garage if possible
- If left outside, protect from rain and ice
🎪 Cover installation
- Clean pool surface first - much easier than under the cover
- Fit cover with no wrinkles or sagging areas
- Use all tensioners - don't skip any
- Cover should be taut across the surface
- Add water bags or weights around edges
- Check monthly and pump off any standing water
📝 Pre-winter checklist
- Clean filter one last time
- Remove ladder and store indoors
- Remove pool toys, floats, cleaning equipment
- Document where you stored all the drain plugs
- Take photo of how equipment connects (helps in spring)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not draining equipment properly (frost damage guaranteed)
- Completely draining in-ground pool (can collapse the shell)
- Adding chemicals then immediately covering (needs circulation first)
- Loose cover that fills with rainwater
- Storing drain plugs loose (you'll never find them)
- Over-chlorinating thinking it'll last all winter (wasteful)
💡 Pro trick: Use antifreeze (non-toxic pool grade) in pipes you can't fully drain - return jets, skimmers, any bit of plumbing that might hold water. Much cheaper than replacing cracked PVC in spring.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌸 Spring opening too? Most people who book winterization also book spring opening. I'll remove the cover, restart equipment, balance the water, and get you swimming-ready. Saves the stress of doing it yourself when the weather first gets nice.
What about the cover? If you don't have a winter cover yet, get one - it's worth it. They range from £50 for basic tarp-style to £300+ for custom-fit mesh covers. I can advise on what suits your pool and budget.
Heat pumps? These need specific winterization - they're expensive to replace if frost-damaged. I follow manufacturer procedures properly. If yours is still under warranty, check whether DIY winterization voids it.
Can I use the pool in winter? If you heat it, yes, but then you're not winterizing - you're running it year-round. Different process, different costs. Some people do it, but heating costs in Devon winter are brutal.
Check-ups during winter? I offer a mid-winter check service - pump water off cover, check chemistry, make sure everything's still secure. Good for pools that are expensive to maintain (fancy in-ground ones). Most standard pools don't need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pool winterization actually involve?
I'll balance the water chemistry, clean the filter, add winter treatment chemicals, lower the water level slightly, drain vulnerable pipes and equipment to prevent frost damage, and fit your winter cover securely. Basically preparing it to sit unused for 5-6 months without turning into a swamp or cracking from ice.
Can I just leave my pool as-is over winter?
Not if you want it working in spring. Frost can crack pipes, pumps, and filters. Untreated water goes horrible - thick algae soup that takes weeks to clear. A cover without proper winterization just means you'll unwrap a disaster in April. Do it properly once or pay to fix it all later.
Do I need to buy winter chemicals?
Yes, but they're not expensive - about £15-30 depending on pool size. Winter algaecide and a dose of chlorine basically. Much cheaper than trying to rescue a green swamp in spring. I can supply them or work with whatever you've bought.
Should the water be completely drained?
No - never completely drain an in-ground pool. The ground pressure can crack or collapse the shell. Lower it below the skimmers and returns, but leave most of the water in. Above-ground pools depend on type - I'll advise based on what you've got.
How long does winterization take?
About an hour for a standard garden pool - water treatment, equipment shutdown, pipe draining, cover fitting. Larger pools or complex setups (heat pumps, auto-dosing systems) might be 1.5 hours. I'll give you a proper estimate when I see what you've got.
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