What Happens If You Don’t Winterize Your Pool Properly?

When winter approaches, many homeowners shift their attention from swimming and relaxing to packing up their backyard oasis. But a common question that arises is: what happens if you don’t winterize your pool properly? The short answer? A lot can go wrong. Winterizing your pool is not just a recommendation—it’s essential if you want to avoid expensive repairs, structural damage, and unsafe swimming conditions.

Let’s break it down in simple terms so you know exactly why winterizing is necessary and what can happen if you skip it.

Why Winterize a Pool?

Winterizing your pool is the process of preparing it for the colder months when it’s not in use. This includes balancing the water chemistry, lowering the water level, draining water from pipes and equipment, covering the pool, and more.

You might wonder: Do I really need to winterize my pool? Yes, absolutely. When temperatures drop, the water in your pool and plumbing can freeze. This expansion can crack pipes, damage the filter system, and cause irreversible harm to your pool structure.

What Can Go Wrong If You Don’t Winterize Your Pool?

Skipping pool winterization might seem harmless at first—after all, it’s just a few months of cold. But the consequences of not winterizing a pool properly can pile up fast. Here’s what you might face:

1. Frozen Pool Pipes and Equipment

When water freezes, it expands. If there’s water left in your pipes or filter system, it can freeze and burst the pipes. This leads to pool plumbing freeze damage and costly frozen pool pipe repair come spring. Cracks in pipes and pumps can often go unnoticed until you try to restart the system.

2. Cracked Pool Walls and Surface Damage

If water isn’t drained to the right level or the pool surface is not properly protected, freezing temperatures can cause the pool walls or tiles to crack. This type of pool damage from not winterizing is usually extensive and expensive to fix.

3. Contaminated Pool Water

Uncovered or improperly closed pools allow debris, algae, and bacteria to build up. This results in murky, unsafe water when it’s time to open the pool again. You’ll spend more time and money on cleaning and chemicals just to make it swimmable again.

4. Damaged Pool Cover

A poorly fitted or low-quality cover won’t protect your pool properly. Snow, ice, and debris can damage the cover, allowing harmful elements into your pool and risking damage to the pool liner.

Pool Winterization Risks You Should Know

You might think, “How does winter affect my pool if not winterized?” Here’s how:

Internal damage to pumps and filters due to freezing water
Chemical imbalance leading to corrosion or scaling
Waterline tile damage from ice expansion
Unwanted pests nesting in or around the uncovered pool
High repair costs in the spring

Even if your area experiences a mild winter, sudden cold snaps can catch you off guard. What if I skip pool winterization? Even one freezing night can cause enough damage to set you back thousands of dollars.

Effects of Skipping Winter Pool Maintenance

The effects of skipping winter pool maintenance aren’t just about repairs. It’s also about time, effort, and peace of mind. Here’s what you might be dealing with in the spring:

Proper winterization helps preserve the investment you made in your pool. If you skip this step, you risk reducing the pool’s lifespan.

Is It Necessary to Winterize a Pool?

Yes. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, it is absolutely necessary to winterize a pool. The risk of pool equipment winter damage is too high to ignore. For areas with milder winters, it’s still recommended to close your pool or perform light winter maintenance to avoid any surprise issues.

Even if you use a pool heater, it won’t protect your equipment or pipes if the power goes out during a cold spell.

Winter Pool Maintenance Tips

Even if you don’t fully close your pool for the season, basic maintenance is still essential. These winter pool maintenance tips can help prevent many common problems:

Balance the water chemistry before cold weather arrives
Lower the water level to prevent overflow and ice damage
Blow out and plug return lines to protect pipes from freezing
Clean the pool thoroughly to remove debris
Use a high-quality winter cover and secure it properly
Check the pool periodically during the off-season for any signs of damage

If the process sounds overwhelming, professional pool winterisation services like those offered by The One Pool Care can handle it for you with expertise.

Pool Closing Services: A Smart Investment

Professional pool closing services don’t just save you time—they help protect your pool from costly damage. Trained technicians can identify weak points in your system, ensure the water chemistry is correct, and use industry-grade tools to safely close the pool for the season.

Many homeowners who attempt DIY winterization miss small but important steps—leading to spring surprises they’d rather avoid. Pool experts ensure everything is done right the first time.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Risk It

So, what happens if the pool is not winterized? In short: expensive damage, contaminated water, and a delayed swimming season. The consequences of not winterising a pool can be much worse than the time and cost of preparing it properly.

If you’re still asking, “Is it really worth it?”—remember this: A few hours of prevention now can save you weeks of repair and hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in the spring.

Whether you do it yourself or hire professionals for pool winterisation services, take the right steps to protect your pool this winter. Don’t wait for damage to teach you the importance of seasonal care.

Ready to Protect Your Pool This Winter?

If you’re unsure about how to properly close your pool or simply don’t have the time, The One Pool Care is here to help. Their expert pool winterisation services ensure every detail is covered, so you can head into the cold season with confidence.

Contact The One Pool Care today to schedule your pool closing and avoid costly damage this winter.

By The One Pool Care,
April 21, 2025

About The One Pool Care

The One Pool Care is a trusted provider of professional pool and spa maintenance services in Australia. With a team of expert technicians and a commitment to using the latest pool care technologies, we help our clients maintain clean, safe, and healthy pools. Whether you’re managing a residential or commercial pool, The One Pool Care offers tailored solutions that ensure long-lasting pool enjoyment. We pride ourselves on delivering reliable, customer-centric services with a focus on quality, safety, and the overall wellbeing of your pool. The One Pool Care is your trusted partner for all things pool care.