Why Boston Winterization Is Not Optional
Greater Boston experiences sustained freezing temperatures from December through March, with overnight lows regularly dropping below 10°F during cold snaps and occasional multi-week periods where daytime temperatures do not exceed freezing. Any water remaining in pool plumbing, equipment, or fittings during these periods will freeze, expand, and crack whatever contains it — PVC pipe, pump housings, filter bodies, heater headers, and heat exchangers are all vulnerable. The cost of freeze damage repair frequently exceeds the cost of a professional closing by a factor of ten or more.
This is not a climate where pool owners can rely on a partial closing, leaving some water in the lines and hoping for a mild winter. Boston's winter severity is variable, but the freeze risk is present every year and the consequences of inadequate winterization are severe enough that a thorough professional closing is the only appropriate approach for in-ground pools in this region.