How to Close an Above Ground Pool for the winter

When the winter cold is here, it’s time to close the pool until the spring. This is vital to prevent maintenance costs after the freeze. Leaving the pool as it is, invites damage and breakage in pipes. Below is a guide on how to winterize your above-ground pool.

Check the water balance

This step is done a week before you winterize your pool. You will be required to test the PH, alkalinity, chlorine, and calcium hardness. This step will save your pool from corrosion and scale build-up. Your pool needs to have a 7.4PH, 150ppm alkalinity, and calcium hardness of 200ppm. Chlorine should be 1 to 3ppm.

Shock and clean

This is done to rid your pool of any algae or contamination. You can do so with diluted granular chlorine or a non-chlorine pool shock. If you notice a green color or haziness in our pool, triple the dosage to get it cleaned up. You will need a pool brush to clean up the walls and the floor, a pool vacuum, and a skimmer net. Any debris left will affect the winterizing chemicals and leave stains.

Take out all accessories

These include ladders, skimmer baskets, pool alarms, solar blankets, and any other pool accessory. Dry them in the sun and store them indoors.

Lower the water level

The water level should be 6 inches below the skimmer opening. You can use the pool cover pump to remove the water or let the water drain through the return line hose. Remove all the hoses on the return fittings and skimmer, and install the skimmer lid.

Work on the pipes

Disconnect the hoses and drain them dry. If your pool has PVC pipes that cannot be removed, use a large vac to blow the water from the pipes and add antifreeze. Remove the hose connected to the pump when working on the skimmer. If you have PVC pipes, blow out as mentioned above and use a winter skimmer plug. You can also add antifreeze for extra safety.

Winterize the equipment

The next step is to drain all the pumping, chlorinating, filtering, and heating equipment. After all the water is drained, plug the pipes. Ensure that the gas supply and power are off and cover the heating system with a pool heater cover. Ensure that you leave your filters and cartilages cleaned.

Lubricate

The soft rubber O-rings and the threaded metal parts need to be lubricated. Use a pool lube for best results.

Winter closing chemicals

This is the part where you add algaecides and chemical floaters. Find the right winter closing kit for your pool size. You will get a package with winter algaecide, scale and stain preventative, non-chlorine shock, oil absorbing sponge, and floater.

Cover up

This is the final stage of winterizing your pool. Invest in a tight pool cover that's right for your pool size. Use air pillows to break the ice sheets under the cover. You might need a leaf catcher if your above-the-ground pool is surrounded by trees.

Conclusion

Winterizing the pool is essential to keep the pool functional for the next season. For the rainwater and snow above the pool cover, you will need a pool cover pump to remove it.

FAQs

When should you winterize your above-the-ground pool?

Close when temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.