Living in LA, winter doesn't necessarily mean freezing weather.

During the day, it can be warm, and on sunny days, there are many times when you can wear short sleeves even near the pool in the middle of winter. This leads to concerns about how to manage the pools that many homes have. Some people even wonder, "Should I just drain the water in winter?" To put it simply, draining the water is almost a loss in terms of cost and maintenance.

The reason is clearer than you might think. The structure of a pool is designed to withstand the pressure of the water. If you drain the water, the internal pressure disappears, and the force from the soil can cause problems like wall cracks, tile lifting, and liner damage. In areas with high groundwater, the pool itself can even pop out. Moreover, it costs quite a bit to refill the water. You have to refill tens of thousands of gallons, and when you add the cost of balancing chemicals, it leads to the conclusion that "it's better to just leave it and manage it." Therefore, in most of LA and Southern California, it is common to keep the water as is during winter while slowing down the maintenance process, known as 'winterizing.'

The first step is chemical balance. Adjusting pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels is essential. In winter, the water temperature is lower, which slows down bacterial growth, but if you let your guard down, algae can bloom and the water can become cloudy. Do not completely stop chlorine; keep it at a low level, and adding algaecide once will make things much easier in the spring.

The second step is filter maintenance. Unlike summer, you don't need to run it every day, but the pump should run for about 2 to 4 hours a day to circulate the water. Stagnant water can cause problems. Don't delay the filter cleaning schedule; if you have a cartridge filter, clean it separately, if it's a DE filter, replenish the media, and if it's a sand filter, backwash it once.

The third step is removing leaves and debris. Even in winter, a gentle breeze can blow leaves into the yard and onto the grass. If left alone, organic matter accumulates, leading to faster chlorine consumption and stains on the bottom. It's important to develop the habit of emptying the skimmer basket, cleaning with a leaf net, and running an automatic cleaner if you have one.

The fourth step is checking the water level. Since there is no evaporation or splashing, the water doesn't drop rapidly, but if it goes below the skimmer line, the pump can suck in air and break. If you don't have an automatic refill device, it's reliable to check visually once a month.

The fifth step is considering using a cover. Using a cover significantly reduces cleaning effort and chlorine consumption. However, since most of LA does not have a completely freezing climate, there are quite a few homes that go without a cover. If you want to see the blue water under the sun, you can maintain it without a cover but increase the cleaning frequency a bit.

From a cost perspective, winter maintenance costs often drop to less than half of summer costs. This is because the pump runs less and the amount of chemicals used decreases. The problem is that if maintenance is neglected in spring, you will end up spending more on chemicals and cleaning. Ultimately, consistent, gradual maintenance is the most cost-effective. The thought that "draining the water means maintenance is done, right?" may seem plausible, but in the Southern California climate, keeping the water is much more realistic.

Considering the structural risks and circumstances, draining the water is actually a loss.

The key to managing a winter pool in LA is simply to leave the water, reduce the chemicals, run the pump for shorter periods, and remove leaves on time.

When spring arrives, you can enjoy a clear blue pool again with just a little adjustment. If you don't want to wrestle with a 'teal swamp' before summer, investing a little attention in winter is the wisest choice.