Seasonal Pool Care in Central Texas

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer is a resounding yes, but with a caveat. While we don't experience the months of sub-zero temperatures that northern states do, Central Texas is prone to sudden, severe freeze events—like the historic storms we have seen in recent years. In northern climates, pools are often drained significantly, and plumbing is buried below the deep frost line. Here in the Round Rock and Austin area, our plumbing is often shallower, and our equipment pads are exposed to the elements.

Winterisation in Texas is about risk management. You can choose to leave your pool open and running year-round, relying on the freeze guard sensors to activate the pumps when the air temperature drops. Moving water doesn't freeze easily. However, this strategy has a fatal flaw: it depends 100% on electricity. If a winter storm knocks out power for even 4 to 6 hours when it is 20 degrees outside, the water inside your expensive pumps, heaters, and filters will freeze, expand, and shatter the equipment. Our winterisation service drains the water from these specific components and protects the plumbing, providing passive protection. If the power goes out, your pool is already safe. It is an insurance policy against Mother Nature’s unpredictability.

A standard cleaning visit assumes the pool is already operational and just needs maintenance. A Spring Opening, by contrast, is a mechanical and chemical reboot of the entire system. When a pool has been dormant or covered for several months, the water chemistry undergoes drastic changes. Rainwater changes the pH, and sanitiser levels drop to zero. Simply turning the pump on isn't enough. Our Spring Opening service involves a multi-step commissioning process.

First, we physically reassemble the equipment pad—reinstalling drain plugs, lubricating O-rings, and unsealing the plumbing lines that we had plugged in the fall. We inspect the system for any damage that might have occurred during the off-season, such as rodent damage to wires or dry rot on gaskets. Once the water is flowing, we perform a heavy-duty shock treatment to eliminate any bacteria or algae spores that may have taken hold during the winter. We also clean the filter elements thoroughly to handle the sudden influx of pollen and debris. Our Certified Pool Operators adjust the alkalinity and calcium hardness to protect the plaster. Essentially, a cleaning visit maintains the status quo, while a Spring Opening restores the pool to life and prepares it for the heavy bather load of summer.

We strongly advise against draining your pool completely without consulting a professional. In Central Texas, our soil has a very high clay content. When the ground gets wet during our rainy winter season, the clay expands and exerts tremendous hydrostatic pressure on the pool shell. If the pool is full of water, that internal weight pushes back against the earth, keeping everything stable. If the pool is empty, that external pressure can actually lift the pool out of the ground—a catastrophic phenomenon known as floating or popping the pool. This can crack the shell and destroy the decking.

Furthermore, leaving plaster exposed to the air for months can cause it to dry out, shrink, and crack, resulting in costly resurfacing needs. Our winterisation process typically involves lowering the water level slightly—just below the tile line or skimmer mouth—to allow us to clear the plumbing lines, but we leave the vast majority of the water in the vessel to provide structural stability. We treat this remaining water with winterising chemicals to keep it stable. This approach protects the structure of your pool while still allowing us to safeguard the plumbing and equipment from freeze damage.

Timing is critical for effective seasonal care. For winterisation (closing), we generally recommend scheduling service in late October or November. You want to wait until the water temperature consistently drops below 65°F. Algae goes dormant at these lower temperatures, which makes it much easier to keep the water clear while the filtration system is turned off. If you close the pool too early while it is still warm, you risk opening a green, algae-filled swamp in the spring because the winter chemicals will degrade too quickly.

For Spring Opening, most of our clients in Round Rock and the surrounding areas aim for March or early April. The goal is to get the system running and the chemicals balanced before the water warms up and algae starts to bloom again. Additionally, opening in early spring allows us to identify and address any equipment issues before the summer swimming season begins. As a family-owned business with a dedicated but finite team, our seasonal schedules fill up quickly. We encourage clients to book their slots well in advance to ensure their pool is protected before the first freeze and ready before the first heatwave.

Yes, the heater is a major focus of our seasonal inspections, particularly because it is often the most expensive and fragile piece of equipment on the pad. During winterisation, heaters are especially vulnerable. They contain copper or cupronickel heat exchangers with small, intricate tubes that can burst easily if water freezes inside them. We take extra care to open the draincocks and blow out the heater headers to ensure no water remains trapped inside. We also shut off the gas supply and protect the electronic ignition systems from moisture and rodents, which love to nest inside heater cabinets during the winter.

During the Spring Opening, we perform a test fire of the heater. We check for gas leaks, ensure the pilot or ignition assembly is firing correctly, and verify that the unit is heating efficiently. Since heaters often sit unused for months, spiders often build webs in the burner trays or orifices, which can cause dangerous malfunctions. We clean these out and ensure proper airflow. As licensed and Insured professionals (TICL #1114), we possess the qualifications to work safely on these gas and electric components. If we find that your heater has rusted or failed over the winter, we can discuss repair or replacement options immediately.