Do You Need to Close Your Pool in Florida? Seasonal Guide

If you're new to Florida — or just new to pool ownership — you might be wondering whether you need to "close" your pool for winter like they do up north. The short answer: no, you don't winterize a Florida pool the traditional way. But that doesn't mean you can ignore seasonal changes entirely.

Brevard County's climate is mild year-round, but there are real seasonal shifts that affect your pool. Here's what every Space Coast pool owner needs to know about seasonal pool care.

Do You Need to Close Your Pool in Florida?

In northern states, closing a pool means draining the water below the skimmer line, blowing out the plumbing with compressed air, adding antifreeze to the pipes, covering the pool, and shutting everything down for 4–6 months. This is necessary to prevent freeze damage to plumbing, equipment, and the pool shell.

Florida pools don't need any of this. Our winters rarely see temperatures below freezing, and when they do, it's only for a few hours. The water in your pool, plumbing, and equipment almost never gets cold enough to freeze.

However, there's an important exception: during those rare freeze warnings (which Brevard County gets maybe 2–5 nights per winter), you should run your pump continuously to keep water moving through the plumbing. Moving water doesn't freeze as easily as standing water. If your equipment has a freeze guard feature, make sure it's enabled — it automatically turns on the pump when temperatures approach freezing.

Beyond freeze protection, Florida pools benefit from seasonal adjustments rather than full opening/closing cycles.

Winter Adjustments for Brevard County Pools

Brevard County winters (December through February) bring temperatures in the 60s and 70s during the day, dropping into the 40s and 50s at night. Water temperatures hover between 58–68°F for most of the winter. Here's how to adjust your pool care:

• Reduce pump run time: You can cut pump run time to 6–8 hours daily instead of 8–10. Cooler water means slower algae growth and less chlorine demand.
• Lower chemical doses: Chlorine consumption drops significantly in cooler water. Your pool tech will adjust doses accordingly — this means winter months are typically cheaper for chemical costs.
• Watch for leaf drop: Winter is when many Florida trees shed leaves, especially oaks. Skimmer baskets may fill up faster.
• Check heater functionality: If you have a pool heater and want to swim comfortably in winter, now's the time to make sure it's working properly. A maintenance check before December can prevent mid-winter breakdowns.
• Monitor phosphates: Decaying organic matter from fall and winter leaf drop introduces phosphates. Keep levels in check to prevent spring algae blooms.

The Snowbird Pool Problem

Brevard County has a large seasonal population — snowbirds who head north in spring and return in fall. If you're leaving your Florida home (and pool) unattended for months, you have a decision to make:

Option 1: Keep it maintained. The best option. Hire a pool service to visit weekly while you're gone. They'll maintain chemistry, clean debris, run the pump, and keep everything in working order. When you return, your pool is swim-ready. Cost: your normal monthly service rate.

Option 2: Reduce service. Some snowbirds drop to monthly visits to save money. Better than nothing, but risky — a lot can go wrong in 30 days during Florida's hot, wet summer months. You'll likely need a significant cleaning when you return.

Option 3: Shut it down. The worst option, but some homeowners do it. They turn off the pump, don't add chemicals, and hope for the best. The result is almost always a green swamp that costs $300–$500+ to restore, plus potential equipment damage from sitting idle in corrosive Florida air. We strongly advise against this.

Running a pool pump regularly actually extends its life — seals stay lubricated, gaskets stay flexible, and internal components don't corrode as quickly. A pump that sits idle for 6 months in Florida humidity often develops problems when you try to restart it.

Spring Startup: Getting Ready for Heavy Use

As temperatures rise in March and April, your pool transitions from low-demand winter mode to high-demand summer mode. Here's a spring checklist:

• Increase pump run time back to 8–10 hours daily as water temperatures rise above 75°F
• Test and adjust all chemistry levels: After winter's lower chemical usage, make sure chlorine, pH, alkalinity, CYA, and calcium hardness are all dialed in
• Deep clean the filter: A thorough filter cleaning (chemical soak for cartridge filters, full DE recharge for DE filters) sets you up for summer
• Inspect equipment: Check the pump for leaks, the filter for cracks, the heater for corrosion, and the pool light for proper operation
• Check seals and o-rings: Winter's cooler temps can dry out rubber components. Replace any cracked or brittle o-rings
• Shock the pool: A good spring shock treatment kills any early algae and establishes a strong chlorine baseline for the season
• Clean the deck and equipment area: Power-wash the deck, clear cobwebs from the equipment pad, and make everything presentable

Hurricane Season Pool Prep

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity in August through October. Brevard County sits directly on Florida's hurricane-prone east coast, so pool prep is essential:

Before a storm:

• DO NOT drain your pool. The weight of the water helps hold the pool shell in place against groundwater pressure. An empty pool in saturated soil can literally pop out of the ground.
• Lower the water level by 6–12 inches to allow room for heavy rainfall without flooding the deck and equipment.
• Remove loose items: Pool furniture, toys, floats, skimmer lids, and any loose deck items become projectiles in hurricane winds. Store them indoors.
• Turn off all electrical equipment: Switch off the pump, heater, lights, and chlorinator at the breaker. Power surges during storms can destroy pool equipment.
• Super-shock the pool: Adding extra chlorine before a storm helps combat the contamination that heavy rain introduces.
• Trim overhanging branches: Reduce the amount of debris that can fall into the pool during the storm.

After a storm:

• Remove all debris from the pool — do this before turning the pump on to avoid clogging the system
• Inspect equipment for damage before powering back on
• Test and rebalance water chemistry — heavy rain dramatically alters pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels
• Run the pump continuously for 24–48 hours to clear the water
• Clean or backwash the filter — it will get dirty quickly from storm debris

Summer: Peak Season Demands

June through September is when your pool works hardest and demands the most attention:

• Chlorine demand doubles or triples compared to winter due to heat, UV exposure, and heavier usage
• Algae pressure is at maximum — warm water, long days, and frequent rain create ideal conditions
• pH rises faster from high temperatures and aeration (splashing, water features)
• Daily thunderstorms require constant chemical adjustment and skimmer maintenance
• Higher usage from family, guests, and summer activities means more organic load (sweat, sunscreen, body oils) in the water

Weekly professional service is absolutely essential during summer. This is not the season to try to save money by skipping visits.

A Year-Round Pool Care Calendar

Here's a simplified seasonal guide for Brevard County pool owners:

• January–February: Minimal demand. Weekly service continues but at reduced chemical levels. Watch for freeze warnings.
• March–April: Transition period. Increase pump run time, spring clean, and prepare for summer. Heavy pollen season.
• May: Summer mode begins. Full chemical doses, maximum pump run time, algae prevention priority.
• June–September: Peak season. Highest chemical demand, daily rain impact, maximum vigilance needed.
• October–November: Storms taper off, temperatures begin cooling. Leaf fall increases. Begin transitioning to winter mode.
• December: Winter mode. Reduced pump time and chemicals. Equipment check before the holidays.

When to Call a Professional

Year-round professional pool service takes the guesswork out of seasonal adjustments. Your pool tech automatically adapts their approach based on the season, weather conditions, and your pool's specific needs. You don't have to remember when to change pump schedules, adjust chemical doses, or prep for storms — it's all handled.

At Orbit Pools, our weekly service adapts to every season automatically. Whether it's a mild Brevard County winter or the peak of hurricane season, we keep your pool protected, clean, and ready to swim. No seasonal upcharges, no contracts — just consistent, professional care year-round.

Want year-round peace of mind? Contact Orbit Pools for a free pool assessment and let us handle the seasonal details so you can just enjoy your pool.