How to Close a Pool For Winter
If you don’t already know how to close a pool for winter, don’t let icy old man winter turn your backyard oasis into a frozen tundra! Follow this comprehensive winter pool closing guide to keep sparkling blue waters ready for fun next spring.
Diligent winterization safeguards your pool equipment, water clarity, and structural integrity season after season. Neglecting proper winter prep risks cracked tiles, cloudy water, damaged machinery, and rampant algae growth or even green swimming soup come spring thaw.
Arm yourself with pro tips for your climate and pool type to lock in longevity and help the open season go swimmingly. Bid summer a fond farewell by taking time now to button up your backyard gem for the impending cold dormancy ahead.
Know Your Pool Type and Climate-Specific Needs.
Like a tropical bird flying south for winter, certain pools need extra preparations and precautions depending on their design and local climate realities. Consider key differences based on whether you own an:
Inground vs Above Ground Pool
- Inground Pools sit partially below frost lines making them vulnerable to freeze damage from expanding ice crystals without adequate precautions.
- Above Ground Pools avoid the freeze issue due to sitting atop the surface. However, total drainage may be required in extreme northern zones.
Regional Winter Severity
- Northern zones with subzero temps and abundant snow require the most intensive winterizing efforts.
- Southern climates still necessitate winter care to prevent stagnation and algae but have less freeze concerns.
Now let’s explore the step-by-step winterizing process compatible across all pool types and regions.
9 Step-by-step Instructions for winter pool maintenance.
Follow this battle-tested checklist to button up your pool using best practices refined over countless seasonal cycles. This is how to close a pool for winter. So, take notes!
1. Test and Balance Water Chemistry
- Maintain pH between 7.2 – 7.6.
- Total alkalinity 80-150 ppm.
- Add shock treatment to sanitize.
- Winter algaecides prevent growth.
Balanced water intact over the winter provides a healthy head start come spring opening.
2. Lower the Water Level
- Inground pools: Below skimmer openings to prevent freeze damage.
- Above ground pools: Follow manufacturer guidance on partial or full drainage.
3. Clean Surroundings and Drain All Equipment
Vigorously brush and vacuum to remove leaf debris and sediment accumulation. Completely drain the pump, filter, heating system, and connected plumbing lines. Disconnect accessories like pool cleaners.
4. Detach and Store Equipment Properly
Relocate detached components to a dry, protected area safe from frost, moisture, and curious wildlife seeking shelter. Prevent frozen damage which necessitates expensive replacements come spring.
5. Insert Winterizing Plugs
Install gizmos into skimmer and return line openings to seal moisture out of the empty internal system. Some use inflatable bladders while others use threaded corkscrew seals to create an impenetrable barrier.
6. Add Pool Antifreeze
Further protect plumbing runs by pouring antifreeze into various fittings around the pad and equipment to avoid ruptures from expanding ice.
7. Secure Protective Pool Cover
Shield above ground pools with waterproof canvas barrier covers to provide maximum insulation. Drape drainable mesh covers over inground pools to prevent leaf accumulation while allowing melted precipitation to escape underneath. Weigh down covers firmly and evenly around the entire perimeter using stakes or socks filled with sand. Leave an access hole for periodic inspections.
8. Clear Surroundings
Remove all removable debris and vegetation from the immediate pool deck vicinity to prevent blowing plant matter and pest infestations over the inactive period. Designate flags around any buried yard components to prevent accidental holes or slicing from spring landscape projects.
9. Lock It Up
Install protective winter covers over distant equipment or outbuildings and engage pool padlocks to secure the area against curious neighborhood kids or vagrants seeking warm refuge who could accidentally damage infrastructure.
That completes shutting swimming operations down safely! Now just kick back through winter comforted your pool patiently awaits intact for next season.
Spring Wake Up Call! Reopening Your Pool After Winter Hibernation
When the thermometer finally creeps above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and spring greenery emerges, rouse your pool from its protective slumber to ready for action!
Carefully remove all protective elements installed earlier and thoroughly clean any compacted leaves or debris. Reconnect all plumbing and mechanical components before restarting the pump and filtration system. Refill to regular levels using fresh water, not old melted rest in stagnant lines which concentrated chemical residues.
Finally, retest and balance alkaline, pH, sanitizer levels and shock the pool to burn away any organic sediment or organisms that infiltrated over winter. Let the system circulate and filter overnight allowing chemistry to stabilize.
Now you know how to close a pool for winter. So, go take that first post-winter dip to kick off a new summer of fun in your revived backyard oasis!
Pool Winterizing FAQs
Still have lingering winter pool prep questions? Check the handy FAQ guide below:
Question | Answer |
---|---|
How do I winterize my above ground pool? | For above ground pools, fully drain the water to below outlets and filter then disconnect all hoses and equipment. Clean debris before installing waterproof cover secured tightly across the top lip using stakes or sandbags to prevent wind lifting. |
Does my pool need chemicals before closing for winter? | Yes, properly balanced pH, alkalinity, and sanitizers along with algaecides before closing help maintain water quality over winter to prevent issues reopening come spring. |
Can I leave my pool pump running during winter? | No, all equipment including pumps and filters should have water lines drained fully before disconnecting and safely storing for the winter in a dry indoor location to prevent freeze damage. |
How do I reopen my inground pool in spring? | To reopen, remove covers, clean debris, reconnect equipment, refill to proper level with fresh water, restart system, test & rebalance chemicals, then vacuum and shock before swimming again! |
Is it okay to open my pool if there is still snow on the ground? | Ideally wait until overnight temperatures stay reliably above freezing before reopening your pool to prevent refreezing issues. If snow remains, ensure melted runoff has flowed away before accessing the covered pool. |
Adequate winterization takes some elbow grease but prevents exponentially more work reviving a severely neglected frozen or stagnant pool full of problems next year. Instead, keep summer memories alive through the winter to make next season’s opening a breeze!
The key is realizing pools require year-round care, even when hidden beneath ice and snow. So take advantage of the checklist and tips above to do it right so backyard fun resumes promptly when warmer weather returns. Soon you’ll be lounging poolside while others still struggle reactivating their algae petri dish puddles!