Swimming in the pool in winter is impossible? Unless you have a heating system. The perfect option to continue enjoying the benefits of water is the spa.
Winter is inexorably setting in, the pool is now closed. Preparing the pool to get through the cold season remains essential. Despite everything, if you have installed a spa at home, you will be able to spend the winter with complete peace of mind. There is nothing like the magic of bubbles to relax after a long day. We give you the secrets to fully enjoy it, without forgetting the essential safety tips for a pleasant winter.
How to prepare the swimming pool for winter (reminder)?
To <prepare the pool for the winter season , winterizing is necessary. The objective is threefold: protecting the pool's waterproofing, preserving the coating and maintaining water quality for the next swimming season.
During the winter, the risk of frost is not negligible and without prior preparation of your pool, serious damage, sometimes even irreversible, can occur. Frost can in particular cause cracks in the filtration system and even the pipes.
The best time to winterize your pool is usually during the month of October. However, the most reliable indicator to determine when you can winterize your pool remains the water temperature. Indeed, when it reaches 12°C, it is time to winterize it.
You have the choice between two wintering methods:
- partial or active,
- the total or passive.
You may choose one of two methods depending on several factors such as the type of pool you have (concrete, tile, fiberglass, etc.), the climate in your area, and your comfort level with winter pool maintenance .
Active or partial wintering requires regular monitoring and continued pool maintenance . This involves continuing regular pool maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the pool , checking the pH of the water, checking the water level, and filtering the water for a few hours each day. The goal is to keep the water clean and free of algae or bacteria. Active wintering therefore requires a greater investment in time and energy. With the Water Tech Volt FX-8Li cordless pool vacuum cleaner, you can quickly and efficiently clean your pool, whether it is in-ground or above ground. For skimming leaves and other debris of all kinds, both on the surface and at the bottom of the pool, you have the Pool Blaster Leaf Vac cordless vacuum cleaner with a large capacity mesh filter bag.
Once you have finished cleaning your pool , always remember to store them in the storage room to ensure the longevity of your equipment. You will need to make sure that everything is dry beforehand. The filters must also be cleaned regularly.
As for passive wintering, it is a pool maintenance method that requires less intervention. Here, the filtration is completely shut down. The filtration system is removed to avoid any risk of freezing. The water level must also be lowered below the return jets to allow the water to expand in the event of freezing.
Also, there are different accessories that can protect the pool against frost, particularly in the event of a cold snap. The frost-free box is ideal in the case of active wintering. Indeed, it can be programmed to trigger the automatic start-up of the filtration as soon as the outside temperature reaches 0°C. The movement of the water thus generated by the filtration will prevent the formation of frost in the pipes.
If you have opted for passive wintering, the use of wintering plugs allows you to block the pipes, preventing water from stagnating inside.
Here is your pool prepared to spend the winter peacefully! You can think about your options to continue to benefit from the benefits of water. The perfect solution for this is the spa and its many virtues.
The magic of a spa in winter
If you can't enjoy your pool during the winter season, the spa is obviously the ideal alternative. The jacuzzi will offer you a real moment of pleasure. Its benefits go far beyond simple comfort and relaxation. It will obviously be necessary to keep a good water temperature and ensure the maintenance of the spa on a frequent basis.
- The virtues of the spa
Hot tubs can relieve many ailments and thus bring health and well-being to everyday life. The muscle relaxation provided by the spa helps reduce stress. It promotes the production of endorphins by the body, thus reducing sleep and digestive disorders. The action of the hydrojets contributes to firming the skin. In the same way, the combined massage of water and air improves blood circulation. In addition, muscle pain and other chronic pain can be relieved thanks to the psychological relaxation caused by bathing in the jacuzzi.
The magic of the spa will help you fight against the gloom of winter. You will feel undeniably better, more serene and relaxed. You will then be able to go about your daily activities in complete peace.
- The importance of spa water temperature
The water temperature should ideally be between 37.5°C and 39°C. Above 40°C, there is a risk of heat stroke in adults, or even more serious pathologies (cardiovascular, etc.). It is always best to immerse yourself in the jacuzzi between 36.5°C and 37°C and then gradually increase the thermostat according to your personal comfort.
In order to save energy, it is not recommended to vary the water temperatures of your jacuzzi each time you use it. It is wiser to keep an average temperature. To do this, you can use an insulating spa cover. It will also reduce heat loss. You can also add insulating panels around the structure of your spa as a supplement.
Heat loss can also be caused by faulty seals or air leaks. It is therefore important to carry out regular checks of the seals surrounding the cover, as well as the seals on the panels and components of your hot tub. You will need to ensure that they are always in good condition to ensure optimum sealing.
- Spa maintenance
To ensure the proper functioning of your spa, its maintenance and cleaning are just as important. To enjoy the benefits of a spa in the long term, this maintenance must be done regularly.
One of the essential steps in spa maintenance is drainage. In the case of an indoor spa, it will be necessary to operate it every 3 months by emptying the tank. You can siphon the water from the spa using a drain pump or drain the water after removing the drain plug. At the same time, you can check the condition of the pipes and filters before filling your spa. Then, all you have to do is treat the water and test its alkalinity. You will then be ready for 3 full months of relaxation in perspective!
Regarding the cleanliness of the water, to ensure this, the filtration system must run at least 8 hours per day. Also use bromine, disinfectant chlorine or an ozonation machine to remove impurities from the spa water and check that its pH is between 7 and 7.4. To limit the accumulation of dirt, it is always recommended to shower before each swim. Indeed, sweat and cosmetic products can harm the quality of the water.
Every 2 weeks, thoroughly clean your spa with a Pool Blaster Max Li CG cordless pool and spa vacuum cleaner , specially designed for intensive use. Equip yourself with a specialized cleaning kit, compatible with the material of the tub. Clean all accessories such as the pool, pipes and filters. For frequent maintenance, you can use a lightweight model of cordless pool and spa vacuum cleaner such as the Water Tech Volt FX-2 .
Safety points: swimming pools and spas
It is important to know that installing safety devices around the pool to prevent the risk of drowning, especially for children, is mandatory. These facilities must comply with current standards. The equipment to be installed for this purpose is:
- the protective barrier;
- the sound alarm system: either an immersion alarm, signaling the fall of a child into the water, or a perimeter alarm indicating if a child is approaching the pool;
- the safety cover (tarpaulin);
- the shelter completely covering the pool, veranda type.
This type of device is all the more important during the annual closing of the swimming pool during the winter. It helps prevent all types of accidents.
Please note that only above-ground, inflatable or removable pools are exempt.
Safety features also apply to spas. If you have children, it is important to never let them access them on their own. Indeed, the risks of drowning exist just as much in a jacuzzi.
Children can of course enjoy the spa just like adults. From the age of 6, they can, like their parents, enjoy its benefits. That being said, certain precautions must be taken to ensure their safety. The time spent in the hot tub must not exceed 20 minutes. While for adults, the water must not exceed 40°C, for children, the limit is 30°C. It is also necessary to take into account the dehydration factor which increases considerably with the high temperature of the water. It will therefore be necessary to ensure that children do not move around too much or put their heads under water.
Even though the pool is now closed for the winter, you still have the spa to continue enjoying swimming and its benefits. Make yourself comfortable in your jacuzzi and let yourself be carried away by the gentle massage of the jets and the sound of the bubbles. Relaxation and serenity guaranteed!
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