How to Prepare your Pool for the Fall Season

Pool Tips

10-1-26

Technician covering a backyard pool for the fall season

The morning temperatures are cooler and the leaves are falling, but that doesn’t necessarily mean swim season is over. Plenty of people continue to enjoy their pools during the cooler fall weather. Below are several tips from our pool care experts on fall pool maintenance:

Cover Your Pool

Covering your pool overnight, or when not in use, is a seasonal pool maintenance best practice. While winter pool covers provide permanent cover in the offseason, an overnight pool cover (often called a solar pool cover or bubble blanket) can be a temporary way to:

Keep your water slightly warmer for off-season swimming.
Keep your pool clean and clear of fall foliage, dirt and debris, cutting down time spent cleaning.
Reduce the amount of time it takes to heat your pool, if you have a heater.

Check your Pool Equipment

Fall pool maintenance starts with checking your equipment. It’s important to clean your filter after a busy summer swim season to help prevent summer debris from building-up and clogging your filters. Fall pool maintenance for equipment should also include:

Clean filters periodically to clear fall foliage, debris and silt.
Adjust your pumps as needed to address changing temperatures and usage. Check with your pool maintenance service provider for guidance on when and how long to run your pump; this may vary depending on several variables.

Need help preparing your pool equipment for fall? Contact the pool care experts at RIPL today.

Clean Dirt and Debris

Cleaning your pool regularly is important, even in the off-season. Weekly pool cleaning should be a part of your seasonal pool maintenance plan. In the fall, there are several main reasons to stay on top of your pool cleaning routine:

A buildup of leaves and debris can clog filters, stain your pool plaster, and cause algae and bacteria to grow.
Fall leaves will inevitably end up in your pool. Taking the time to remove them efficiently each week will help maintain balanced water quality and keep debris out of filters.
If you plan to cover your pool over the winter, it’s important that your water is clean and clear before doing so.

It's important to prepare your pool for the fall season to ensure you can use it during the cooler months, and also to keep your pool hassle free during the off-season. Enjoy the fall colors, but keep those leaves out of your pool!

Need help preparing your pool for fall?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I cover my pool with a thermal cover during fall?

Covering your pool while it’s not in use with a thermal cover or bubble blanket during the cooler fall season helps to keep your pool warmer longer, reduces the amount of time it takes to heat your pool, and keeps debris and falling leaves out of your pool.

Do I need to prepare my pool equipment for the fall season?

Yes, you should always perform a full cleaning of your filter and pump basket at the end of summer to ensure all your equipment is working efficiently through fall, and in good shape prior to winterization.

Do I still need to clean my pool weekly, even during the fall?

Maintaining your pool year-round is essential for the health of your plaster or liner and equipment. Perform weekly cleaning, at a minimum, to make sure fall foliage and debris does not stain your pool or clog your filters and equipment.