This past winter hasn't been very kind to us here in Vancouver. In fact, it's been downright brutal for our pool and spa. We have had the longest cold snap in 32 years. Although mock-able to the rest of Canada, the temperature was below 5 degrees (not factoring in wind chill) for 33 days in a row. On top of that, we've also received several large snowstorms. We've had crazy wind, torrential rain, never-ending temperature fluctuations, snow, ice, and long cold snaps. We usually don’t have to deal with winter anywhere close to the way the East Coast does. As we all know, Vancouver winters tend to be rather mild. This winter, however, has been hard.

For pools and spas, the key weather issues are rain, intense cold snaps and drastic temperature changes. Such conditions have led to structural and surface damage on pools and spas, especially ones that are older or have non-traditional construction/materials.

Bonding DEGRADATION
Simply put, this is when materials stop sticking to each other. Rain soaks into porous materials and between surfaces, filling the tiniest cracks. Then, a drop in temperatures causes it to freeze. Poorly bonded materials will be forced apart.

Lots of older pools with traditional exposed aggregate coping suffer and fall into disrepair, as do structures that weren't bonded properly to start with. Unfortunately, reconstruction is often required.

Tile DAMAGE
Tiles get damaged by harsh winters, especially in:

• Older pools and/or spas where water has penetrated behind the tiles
• Pools and/or spas constructed with non-traditional, porous materials
• Tile work with eroded grout

Wet and cold weather leads to adhesion loss or flaking. It's important to address all affected areas and fix underlying causes to prevent future issues.

Plumbing LEAKS
Our West Coast winters wreak havoc on pipes through frost damage, ground heaving, temperature-induced brittleness, and soil movement caused by frost and saturation. The end result is generally leaks, especially for pre-stressed pipes that were installed carelessly or have been subject to excessive ground settling. It's important to address these issues before water loss leads to erosion, which will just make things so much worse.

Inspecting YOUR POOL
Now is the time to carefully inspect your pool and spa and take note of any damage that may have occurred over the winter. Although the swim season is still a few months away, the work season has already started. Contractors are already filling their schedules, so the sooner you start, the less likely your work will be delayed or even denied. It's time to do your research, speak with your local pool professionals, and book your work. Acting early can also get you better deals on pricing and scheduling, so it's better to beat the rush!

If you have any questions about your pool and spa, please don’t hesitate to contact us.