Curious about the steps required for closing your pool? Winterizing your pool is an important process for any swimming pool owner to ensure their pool remains in good condition over the winter. Closing your swimming pool properly can save you time and money when it comes time to open it again in the spring.
Let’s review the steps necessary to close your pool for the winter from draining water to adding chemicals, so you can confidently ensure your pool is prepared for the cold winter months ahead. Plus, we will address the differences between closing in above above-ground pool and an inground pool.
Why must you close your pool for the winter?
- Protect from freezing temperatures
- Maintain water quality
- Save time and money
Winterizing your pool is an essential step for any pool owner to ensure the longevity and functionality of their pool. Closing your pool for the winter may seem like an extra hassle, but it is crucial to protect your investment and prevent costly damage.
Protect From Freezing Temperatures
One of the main reasons you need to close your pool for the winter is to protect it from freezing temperatures. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause damage to your pool’s plumbing, pumps, and filters. When you properly close your pool, you remove water from the system and prevent any potential freezing-related issues.
Maintain Water Quality
Additionally, closing your pool helps maintain water quality. Without regular maintenance and filtration during the winter months, your pool can become a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. Instead, winterize your pool properly to ensure that you start the next pool season with clean and clear water.
Save Time and Money
Closing your pool also helps save you time and money in the long run. By following the pool closing steps, you can prevent any major repairs or replacements that may be necessary if your pool is left exposed to the elements during the winter.
Overall, winterizing your pool for the winter is an important maintenance step that will ensure the longevity and functionality of your pool, saving you time and money in the process. Don’t skip this crucial step in pool ownership!
10 Steps to Closing Your In-Ground Pool
Closing your in-ground pool properly is a crucial step to ensure that it remains in good condition during the winter months. By following these pool closing steps, you can protect your investment and save yourself time and money when it’s time to open your pool again in the spring.
Balance the water chemistry:
Start by testing the water and adjusting the pH and alkalinity levels. It’s important to ensure that the chlorine level and water chemistry are balanced before closing the pool. A simple test kit should do the trick.
Clean the pool:
Remove any debris, leaves, and dirt from the pool using a pool net. Make sure to also brush the pool walls and floor to prevent algae growth during the winter. You should also clean your skimmer baskets and any other accessories.
Remove accessories:
Storing items such as ladders, diving boards, and handrails will ensure they won’t interfere with the placement of your cover. Give these a clean before putting them away for the winter too.
PRO TIP: Store all bolts and fasteners in your skimmer basket to locate them easily in the spring!
Disable timers:
If you set timers for equipment such as filters and heaters, make sure you turn those off and switch off the pool pump breaker to prevent potential damage to equipment from accidental engagement.
Lower the water level:
Drain the water so it falls below the skimmer line. Close the skimmer suction valve and force water through the main drain plug. This prevents any potential freezing damage to the skimmer and pipes.
Clean and drain water from all equipment:
Disconnect and drain all equipment, such as the pump, filter, and heater. Remove any remaining water from the equipment to prevent freezing and damage. And don’t forget small equipment like your vacuum either! If you have a sand filter, backwash it first then remove all water including the filter head. Cartridge filters should be removed, cleaned thoroughly and stored inside or covered away from chemicals.
Winterize with antifreeze:
Blow any remaining water with a shop vac or air compressor from return lines and skimmer pipes. For added protection, fill the plumbing lines back up with antifreeze compatible with pool water (not car antifreeze).
Add winterizing chemicals:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and add winterizing chemicals to the remaining pool water. This will help to maintain water quality and prevent algae growth during the winter months.
Plug returns and open pipes:
Prevent water from re-entering or anti-freeze from leaking by using rubber plugs to all unsealed ends. Don’t forget to do the same for any additional water features like fountains.
Cover the pool:
Finally, securely cover the pool with a winter cover. Make sure it is tight and properly secured to prevent any debris from entering the pool.
By following these pool closing steps, you can ensure that your in-ground pool is properly prepared for the winter. Remember, a little extra effort now will save you time and money when it’s time to open your pool again next year. Happy winterizing!
What's different about closing an above-ground pool?
Closing an above-ground pool for the winter requires a few different steps compared to closing an in-ground pool. Since above-ground pools have different construction and components, it’s important to be aware of these differences to properly winterize your pool.
First, many above-ground pools have removable plumbing. Therefore, instead of blowing out the water from skimmers and lines, you can simply disconnect all the hoses to let them dry completely before storing them indoors. You still need to plug the return, remove the skimmer basket, and protect the skimmer.
Above-ground pools may have different accessories such as pool lights. Don’t forget to remove all accessories such as diving boards, mats, ladders, handrails and slides.
Next, when lowering the water level, without a main drain, above-ground pool owners will need to use a submersible pump or siphon out the water with a garden hose. Even without skimmer lines, you still want to allow room for expanding water during the freeze-and-thaw cycles of a Canadian winter. But leave enough water to support the cover.
Additionally, above-ground pools may require specific steps for winterizing the pump and filter. Consult your pool manufacturer or professional to ensure you properly drain and winterize the equipment for an above-ground pool. Often the equipment for an above-ground pool is found outside to be sure to cover that too.
Finally, when closing an above-ground pool, one key difference is the pool cover. Above-ground pools often use an air pillow or water tubes to secure the cover and prevent debris from accumulating in the centre of the pool. These additional features help maintain the integrity of the cover and protect your pool during the winter.
Winter Safety Tips for Pool Owners
The most important winter safety tip is not to perform any activities that you don’t have experience with or are uncomfortable doing. Hire a professional to maintain your pool plumbing and electrical equipment. It can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.
Once you’ve closed your pool for the winter, you should keep safety in mind during the colder months.
Here are some winter safety tips for pool owners to ensure a safe and worry-free winter season:
- Install a pool alarm that alerts you if anyone or anything enters the pool area.
- Keep the area clear from toys, furniture, or other objects to prevent them from blowing into the pool during strong winds or snowstorms.
- Ensure the pool cover is securely fastened and in good condition to prevent accidents and keep debris out of the pool.
- Avoid walking on the cover even if it claims to be strong enough to withstand an elephant to maintain the cover’s integrity.
- Monitor the water level throughout the winter to ensure excessive rainfall or melting snow doesn’t cause the water level to rise, potentially leading to damage to the pool or cover.
- Regularly inspect the pool equipment to look for any signs of damage or potential issues, and address them promptly to prevent further problems.
Conclusion
By following these winter safety tips, you can ensure that your pool remains a safe and enjoyable space even during the colder months. Stay vigilant, take precautions, and look forward to the next pool season!
Closing your pool for the winter is a necessary and important step to protect your investment and ensure the longevity of your pool. By following the proper steps to winterize your pool, you can save yourself time, money, and potential headaches when it comes time to open it again in the spring.
Remember, winterizing your pool is not just a hassle, but a necessary maintenance step. By investing a little extra time and effort now, you can ensure a worry-free winter and a smooth pool opening in the spring. So take the time to properly close your pool, follow the winter safety tips, and look forward to another enjoyable pool season. Happy winterizing!
