7 Mistakes You're Making with Arizona Winter Pool Care (and How to Fix Them)
While homeowners across the country are draining their pools and battening down for harsh winters, Arizona pool owners get to enjoy a completely different reality. But here's the thing – Arizona's mild winters can be deceiving. Just because it's 70 degrees in January doesn't mean your pool maintenance can go on autopilot.
After years of helping pool owners throughout Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and San Tan Valley, we've seen the same costly mistakes happen year after year. The good news? They're all totally preventable once you know what to look for.
Mistake #1: Draining Your Pool for Winter
The Mistake: This is the biggest Arizona winter pool care mistake we see. Many new residents think they need to drain their pools like they did back east, or they assume an empty pool requires less maintenance.
Why It's Wrong: Arizona's clay soil and extreme temperature swings create unique challenges. When you drain a pool here, the soil can shift and cause your pool shell to crack or even pop out of the ground entirely. The repair costs? We're talking thousands of dollars, not to mention the water waste in our desert climate.
The Fix: Keep your pool filled to normal levels year-round. Arizona's mild winters mean you can potentially swim in December and January, so why drain it? Instead, adjust your maintenance routine for reduced usage while keeping the pool ready for those surprise 80-degree February days.
Mistake #2: Shutting Down Circulation Completely
The Mistake: Some pool owners think they can turn off their pumps and filters completely during winter to save on electricity costs.
Why It's Wrong: Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for algae and bacteria, even in cooler temperatures. Arizona's winter highs still reach the 60s and 70s – perfect conditions for algae growth when water isn't moving.
The Fix: Reduce your pump runtime instead of eliminating it. During winter months in the Phoenix area, aim for 4-6 hours of circulation daily rather than the 8-10 hours you'd run in summer. This keeps water moving while cutting your electricity bill significantly.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Water Chemistry All Winter
The Mistake: Clear water looks clean, right? Many Arizona pool owners assume their winter water chemistry is fine because the pool "looks good."
Why It's Wrong: Arizona's intense UV rays don't take a winter break. Clear water can still be harboring bacteria, have improper pH levels, or lack adequate sanitizer. When spring temperatures hit and usage increases, these hidden problems explode into expensive algae blooms or equipment damage.
The Fix: Test your water weekly, even during winter. Maintain chlorine levels between 1-3 ppm, pH between 7.2-7.6, and total alkalinity between 80-120 ppm. Yes, you can reduce chemical usage compared to summer, but don't eliminate it entirely.
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Freeze Protection
The Mistake: "It doesn't freeze in Arizona!" Wrong. Desert cities like Queen Creek, Mesa, and Chandler regularly see temperatures dip into the 20s during winter nights.
Why It's Wrong: Frozen pipes can burst, pool equipment can crack, and you'll face expensive repairs come spring. Even one hard freeze can cause thousands in damage.
The Fix: Install freeze protection devices on your pool equipment. Most modern pool systems have automatic freeze protection that runs pumps when temperatures drop below 34°F. If you don't have this feature, manually run your pumps during freeze warnings. Keep water moving through all equipment and plumbing lines when temperatures threaten to drop below freezing.
Mistake #5: Neglecting Equipment Maintenance
The Mistake: Pool equipment gets ignored during winter because "we're not using it much."
Why It's Wrong: Arizona's dusty conditions don't stop during winter. Pool equipment still accumulates debris, filters still clog, and mechanical parts still wear. Neglecting maintenance during winter means starting spring with compromised equipment.
The Fix: Clean or replace filters monthly during winter (instead of bi-weekly like in summer). Remove debris from skimmer baskets weekly. Check and clean pool equipment monthly – pumps, heaters, and salt chlorine generators need attention year-round in Arizona's harsh environment.
Mistake #6: Overlooking Evaporation and Refill Needs
The Mistake: Pool owners assume evaporation stops during cooler months and ignore water levels.
Why It's Wrong: Arizona's low humidity means evaporation continues year-round. Winter winds and low humidity can actually increase evaporation rates on some days. Low water levels stress your pump and can cause equipment damage.
The Fix: Check water levels weekly and maintain proper levels regardless of season. Arizona pools typically lose 1-2 inches per week to evaporation, even in winter. Keep water at the proper level (typically mid-skimmer) to ensure optimal equipment operation.
Mistake #7: Skipping Professional Inspections
The Mistake: Many homeowners think winter is the wrong time for pool service or equipment checks because they're not swimming regularly.
Why It's Wrong: Winter is actually the perfect time for equipment maintenance, leak detection, and system upgrades. Problems that develop during winter become expensive emergencies when spring swimming season arrives.
The Fix: Schedule a professional inspection during winter months. This is the ideal time to service heaters, check for leaks, update equipment, and handle any repairs without disrupting prime swimming time. Winter service calls are often less expensive and more readily available than emergency spring repairs.
Arizona Winter Pool Care: The Bottom Line
Arizona's unique climate means your pool care strategy should be unique too. Don't copy strategies from Minnesota – adapt your approach to our desert environment.
The key is reducing maintenance intensity without eliminating it completely. Your pool should be ready for those perfect 75-degree January afternoons when you decide to take a quick dip. More importantly, proper winter care prevents costly spring surprises and extends the life of your pool equipment.
Remember, pools in Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Mesa, and San Tan Valley face unique challenges from our alkaline water, intense UV exposure, and dust storms. A little attention during winter months saves major headaches and expenses when swimming season kicks into high gear.
If you're unsure about any aspect of your winter pool care routine, don't hesitate to contact a professional pool service. The cost of preventive winter maintenance is always less than emergency spring repairs – trust us, we've seen the bills.
Your Arizona pool is an investment worth protecting year-round. With the right winter care approach, you'll be ready to dive into spring with clean, safe, properly functioning water that's been maintained correctly through our unique desert winter conditions.
