As summer comes to a close and temperatures begin to drop, it’s essential to prepare your pool for the winter months. This DIY Pool Closing Guide will provide you with a step-by-step process to close your pool effectively and ensure it’s ready to be opened again when warmer weather returns. Whether you have an inground pool or a ground pool, following these simple instructions will help you winterize your pool properly and maintain its longevity.
Before You Begin...
Gather All Necessary Pool Closing Supplies
For a seamless pool-closing process, make sure you have all essential supplies. Here is a checklist:
- Pool cover for winter free of tears or damage
- Air pillows (for above-ground pools)
- Water testing kit
- Winter pool chemicals (including antifreeze for inground pools)
- Pool skimmer net
- Pole brush
- Pool vacuum
- Garden hose
- Air compressor or shop vac that has a blow setting
- Winterizing plugs and covers for skimmers, returns, and drains
- Submersible pump (if necessary to help drain water)
All these items will help you avoid last-minute trips to the store and ensure an efficient closing process.
Read to begin your step-by-step Pool Closing Checklist?
STEP ONE: Balance Your Pool's Water Chemistry
Note: This first step must be completed 24 hours before you continue
Proper water chemistry is crucial for maintaining the longevity of your pool. Balanced water prevents corrosion and scale buildup on pool walls and equipment throughout the winter. Begin by using a pool water testing kit to check the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels.
- pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8
- alkalinity between 80-120 ppm
- calcium hardness around 200-400 ppm
- Chlorine between 1 and 3 ppm
Adjust these levels using appropriate chemicals as needed. For simplicity, many pool companies offer Pool Closing Kits to ensure you have everything you need on hand. You may also wish to shock the pool with chlorine and add algaecide. This extra step kills all the remaining bacteria and keeps algae from growing in the water.
As noted, allow the chemicals to circulate for at least 24 hours to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the pool water before moving on to the next steps to close a pool.
STEP TWO: Clean the Pool and Accessories
After the winterizing chemicals have circulated for 24 hours, remove all debris from the pool using a skimmer net. Next, thoroughly vacuum the pool to remove any dirt, debris and other organic matter. Finally, brush the walls and floor of the pool to prevent algae growth. Pay special attention to areas where debris tends to accumulate, such as corners and steps.
Now you can remove any accessories such as rails, ladders and diving boards. Rinse them off and set them out to dry before storing them in a dry, safe place. Clean any additional accessories, such as portable heaters, following the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent damage.
If you use a solar cover during the summer, rinse it off with a hose, lay it out to dry and put it back on the reel for storage. Properly storing your equipment will protect it from harsh winter conditions and ensure it’s ready for use when you open your pool again.
STEP THREE: Lower the Water Level to Prevent Ice Damage
INGROUND POOLS:
Turn off the filter and skimmer valve by setting the multi-port valve handle to “Backwash” and then turn the pump on. This will start backwashing the filter and water levels will begin to lower. Continue lowering the water level according to the type of cover you plan to install:
- Solid or floating cover: about 6 inches below the skimmer.
- Mesh pool covers: approximately 12 to 18 inches below the skimmer.
- Automatic Cover: do not lower water levels. Without normal water levels, automatic pool covers will not be able to support any weight such as snow leading to potential damage
ABOVE GROUND POOLS:
Use a submersible pump or siphon hose for efficient water removal.
STEP FOUR: Drain and Clean the Filter
Now that water levels are optimized for winter, take your filter apart and clean it. Start by opening the vent valve at the top then remove the drain plugs from the bottom. Once the water has drained, remove the filter and clean it with a hose. If necessary, soak in a filter cleaner for approximately 12 hours or so.
STEP FIVE: Drain and Winterize Plumbing Lines
To prevent freezing or potential cracks, drain the return and skimmer lines, as well as the pump and chlorinator. To dry them, use a shop vac or air compressor to blow out the lines until you can no longer feel any water coming out.
Ensure all return lines, fittings and equipment are completely dry. For extra protection, you may wish to add antifreeze. Then you can put your winter plugs into the fittings and confirm everything is turned off or closed.
Confirm everything is turned off or closed including power supply and timers, If you have a heater, make sure you turn off the gas valve and shut off the gas line for the winter.
For above-ground pools, disconnect filter hoses and store equipment in a non-freezing location such as your basement or insulated garage. Since equipment won’t freeze, the winterizing step is not required.
STEP SIX: Install the Pool Cover
Once your pool has been chemically treated and the water level lowered, install a winter pool cover to protect it from debris, snow, and ice throughout the winter.
INGROUND POOLS:
Begin by spreading the cover over your pool, ensuring it’s centred and evenly distributed. For traditional, solid winter pool covers, use water bags or cover weights to secure the edges and prevent the cover from blowing off during strong winds. If you have a safety cover, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach it securely to the anchor points around your concrete pool deck.
ABOVE GROUND POOLS:
First, place an air pillow (or similar option) in the center of the pool before installing the cover. This will help to evenly distribute the weight of snow and ice, preventing damage to the pool walls and cover.
When placing the cover over the pool, make sure the cover overlaps the pool edge by at least 1 foot. Use a cable and winch system to tighten the cover around the pool’s perimeter. Then add cover clips for additional security.
For both types of pools, check that the cover is taut and free of any gaps that could allow debris or animals to get underneath. Periodically check the cover throughout the winter to remove excess snow and debris, ensuring it remains secure and intact. This will help maintain your pool’s condition and make the opening process much easier when warmer weather returns.
Conclusion
Winterizing your pool doesn’t need to be an overwhelming task. Follow this DIY Pool Closing Guide to ensure that your pool remains in peak condition throughout the cold months.
Remember, thorough preparation is key:
- Balance your pool’s water chemistry
- Clean and store accessories
- Lower the water level to prevent ice damage
- Drain and clean the filter
- Winterize plumbing lines
- Install the pool cover securely
Regularly monitoring the pool cover for snow and debris accumulation will further protect your investment. Following these steps not only preserves the lifespan of your pool but also simplifies the process of opening it when the warm weather returns. Cheers to a well-maintained pool and a hassle-free spring opening!
