Your pool skimmer is your pool's first line of defense. It pulls floating leaves off the surface before they sink and keeps debris out of your pump. In summer, checking it a few times a week is usually enough. In fall, a single windy afternoon can fill the basket completely. A packed basket restricts water flow, which makes your pump work harder. The pump can then lose prime, run dry, and overheat, leading to an expensive motor repair or replacement. Reduced flow also weakens filtration and circulation, which gives algae a chance to grow.
- Check and empty the basket daily during heavy leaf drop, and twice a day after storms or high winds.
- Turn off the pump first so debris isn't pulled into the line while the basket is out.
- Rinse the basket fully. Wet leaves cling, and even a thin layer restricts flow.
- Check the pump basket at the same time and replace any cracked baskets right away.
- Keep the water level at the middle of the skimmer opening so the skimmer can capture leaves without pulling in air.
A clear pool skimmer keeps water moving, protects your pump, and stops leaves before they become a bigger problem. During leaf season, a daily check is the easiest way to keep your pool running smoothly.
Clear Leaves Before They Sink and Settle
Floating leaves are easy to remove, but sunken leaves take more work. Leaves that sit on the pool floor too long can cause problems beyond appearance. Oak leaves release tannins that can stain plaster and other surfaces, and decomposing debris uses up chlorine and throws off your water balance. To stay ahead of it, skim the surface daily with a deep-bag leaf net, ideally before you empty the skimmer, and brush and vacuum regularly to keep the floor clear. Trimming overhanging branches and blowing leaves away from the pool, not toward it, will also cut down on how much debris reaches the water. Finally, test your water weekly and keep an eye on chlorine levels after heavy leaf drop.
Prepare Your Pool and Equipment for Freezing Temperatures
Atlanta winters are mild most of the time, but hard freezes do happen. When water freezes inside plumbing lines and equipment, it expands. That can crack pipes, pumps, filters, and heaters, which leads to expensive spring repairs.
Whether you keep your pool running year-round or close it for the season, plan ahead:
- Confirm your freeze protection is working if your system has it.
- Schedule professional winterizing if you're closing the pool. Proper winterizing balances and treats the water before shutdown, protects the plumbing from freeze damage, and shuts down equipment that doesn't need to run all winter.
- Consider a pool safety cover. A quality cover keeps leaves and debris out all winter and adds a layer of safety for kids and pets.
Don't wait for the first cold snap. Winterizing appointments fill quickly once temperatures drop.
Trim Overhanging Branches and Clear the Pool Deck
Less debris in the yard means less debris in the pool. Start by trimming any branches that hang over the pool where it's safe to do so. When you clean up the yard, blow or sweep leaves away from the pool, not toward it. Clean out nearby gutters so runoff doesn't carry debris into the water during storms, and keep landscaping beds and pine straw away from the pool edge where possible.
Ready to winterize your pool? Leave it to The Pool Butler!
Fall cleanup is the first step to a well-protected pool this winter. Removing leaves and debris before closing keeps your water clean and your equipment ready for colder weather. From clearing out leaves to protecting your pipes, pumps, and filters from a hard freeze, The Pool Butler's experienced team can take care of it all. Contact us today to get on the schedule!
