Fall Swimming Pool Maintenance in Texas - 6 Tips

As the temperatures start to cool down in Texas, it's important to shift your focus toward fall swimming pool maintenance. While the Lone Star State might not experience the harsh winters of other regions, the fall months still bring changes that can affect your pool’s condition.

Proper maintenance during the autumn season is key to ensuring your pool stays clean, healthy, and ready for use when spring comes back around. Below, we’ll walk through several steps you can take to maintain your pool throughout the season.

1. Clear Debris Regularly

Fall in Texas means leaves, twigs, and other debris from oak, pecan, and other native trees can find their way into your pool. While these trees are beautiful, their falling leaves can clog your filters and skimmer baskets, leading to potential equipment damage if not removed regularly.

To keep your pool clear:

• Skim the surface daily with a pool net, especially after windy days.
• Clean out the skimmer baskets regularly to prevent blockages.
• Consider using a pool cover when the pool isn’t in use. This helps minimize debris buildup and can save time on cleaning.

By staying on top of this task, you can prevent clogged filters and reduce strain on your pool equipment, extending its life.

2. Adjust Pool Chemical Levels

With cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours, the sun’s UV rays, which normally burn off chlorine, become less intense. As a result, your pool may require fewer chemicals during the fall than in the peak summer months.

However, maintaining the right chemical balance is still essential to keeping your water clean and safe.

Here are a few adjustments to make:

• Check pH and chlorine levels more frequently as temperature changes can cause imbalances.
• Use a pool test kit to monitor chemical levels regularly, ensuring the pH stays between 7.4 and 7.6 and chlorine around 1-3 parts per million (ppm).

Maintaining the proper balance prevents algae growth and keeps your water clear as temperatures fluctuate.

3. Clean the Pool Filter

During the fall, your pool filter is likely to work overtime due to increased debris, as mentioned above. Ensuring your filter is clean is critical to keeping your pool running properly and keeping the water clean.

Whether you have a sand, cartridge, or DE filter, proper maintenance will help extend its life.

Steps to follow:

• Backwash sand or DE filters to remove dirt and contaminants.
• For cartridge filters, remove and rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose to clear out any debris buildup.
• Replace filters if they are worn or damaged.

By maintaining your filter, you reduce the risk of water flow issues and make it easier to keep your pool clean.

4. Inspect the Pool Pump and Equipment

The fall is a perfect time to inspect your pool pump and other equipment to ensure they’re in good working order before the cooler months arrive.

Texas weather can be unpredictable, and catching potential issues now can save you from costly repairs later.

During your inspection:

• Check for leaks in the pump and filter system, as well as any cracks or signs of wear.
• Make sure your heater is functioning properly, especially if you plan to use your pool into the fall and winter months.
• Inspect pool lights and any other electrical components to ensure they are safe and operational.

Routine checks like these keep your pool running smoothly and can prevent equipment failure during colder months.

5. Adjust Water Levels

With the cooler fall temperatures in Texas, you’ll notice less evaporation, but unexpected rainfall might affect your pool’s water level.

Keeping your pool’s water at the correct level is important to ensure that your filtration system works efficiently.

Here’s how to manage water levels:

• Monitor rainfall during the fall, as sudden storms can lead to an overflow.
• Keep the water level at the halfway point of your skimmer to maintain optimal flow and prevent equipment damage.

If the water level becomes too high or too low, your pump and filter won’t function properly, which can lead to long-term damage.

6. Use a Pool Cover

A pool cover is one of the best investments you can make for fall swimming pool maintenance in Texas.

Not only does it keep out leaves and dirt, but it also helps maintain your pool’s water temperature, reducing heating costs if you use a pool heater.

Pool cover tips:

• Choose a cover that fits snugly over your pool, such as a safety cover, to prevent leaves and other debris from slipping in.
• Consider automatic or manual covers that are easy to remove and replace.
• Clean the cover regularly to prevent mildew buildup from wet leaves.

A high-quality pool cover will make maintenance easier and reduce the wear and tear on your filtration system during the fall.

Do You Need to Winterize Your Pool in Texas?

Unlike states with harsher winters, Texas homeowners often wonder if it's necessary to fully close their pools during the colder months.

The good news is that in most areas of Texas, closing your pool isn't required thanks to the mild winters. However, there are a few factors to consider based on your location and personal preferences.

Mild Winter Areas:

In southern and central Texas, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, it’s common for pool owners to keep their pools open year-round.

Regular maintenance is still necessary, but you won't have to worry about winterizing your pool to the same extent as you would in colder regions.

Colder Regions of Texas:

For homeowners in northern parts of Texas, such as Wichita Falls where temperatures can dip below freezing, partial winterization may be necessary.

Freezing conditions can damage your pool's equipment, so it's important to take precautions like using freeze protection settings on your pool pump or adding antifreeze to plumbing lines if freezing temperatures are expected.

Personal Preference:

Some pool owners choose to winterize their pool even in milder areas simply for convenience.

If you don’t plan to use your pool during the colder months, covering it and reducing maintenance tasks can save time and energy. On the other hand, if you use a pool heater for year-round swimming, keeping it open with proper care is an option.

Ultimately, closing your pool in Texas comes down to personal preference and the specific climate in your region.

While full closure isn’t necessary in most areas, preparing for unexpected cold snaps is always a good idea to protect your pool and its equipment.

Steps to winterize:

• Lower the water level if you choose to close the pool.
• Drain water from the pump, heater, and other equipment to prevent freezing.
• Add winterizing chemicals to prevent algae and maintain water quality.
• Cover your pool securely with a winter cover to keep out debris.

Fall Pool Maintenance Made Easy with Outback Pools, Spas & Supplies!

Swimming pool maintenance in the fall is crucial to preserving the quality of your pool and equipment in Texas.

By staying proactive with debris removal, chemical adjustments, equipment checks, and water level management, you can extend the life of your pool and avoid costly repairs down the line.

Whether you’re keeping your pool open for light use or preparing to winterize it, following these fall maintenance tips will ensure your pool remains in excellent condition throughout the year.

Contact your local Wichita Falls pool technicians at Outback Pools, Spas & Supplies for help maintaining or closing your pool for the upcoming season.