Enjoying Your Swimming Pool: A Guide to Proper Winter Closing
Spending hot summer days splashing around in your own swimming pool with family is one of the greatest joys of pool ownership. However, unless you have an indoor pool or specific circumstances, your pool will likely sit unused during the chilly winter months. To ensure your pool remains in excellent condition throughout the off-season, there are essential steps you must take before closing it for the winter. Neglecting to properly winterize your swimming pool can lead to a host of problems, such as:
- Cloudy, uninviting water.
- Algae growth, which, although dormant in winter, can lead to a murky pond-like appearance if not handled correctly.
- Frozen and busted hoses or pipes due to extreme cold, leading to costly repairs.
- Irreparable damage to the liner, resulting in unexpected maintenance expenses.
- A frustrating pool opening next spring, requiring extensive cleaning and repairs instead of a smooth transition into the new swimming season.
While my advice may differ from that of others regarding swimming pool winterization, that’s perfectly acceptable. Different methods may work for different pool owners. As long as your approach ensures a hassle-free opening next season, you’re on the right track. My personal method has yielded fantastic results for the past three years; when I unveil the cover each spring, the water looks as pristine as it did when I closed it, without excessive chemical use or exorbitant costs.
Essential Steps to Follow Before Closing Your Pool
Closing your pool is not a daunting task; it can often be completed in a single afternoon, depending on the weather and seasonal conditions. One crucial factor to consider is the water temperature. It’s important to note that simply closing your pool because the water is too cold for swimming is unwise. While the water may not be enjoyable for swimming, it can still be conducive to algae growth. Closing your pool prematurely may invite algae to flourish, resulting in a green pool when you open it next season.
1. Balance Your Swimming Pool’s Water
As the season draws to a close, maintain your regular maintenance schedule and conduct water tests. Keep your chlorine levels between 1-3 PPM to prevent algae from taking hold. Additionally, ensure that your pH, alkalinity, and water hardness are within the recommended ranges:
| pH | 7.2 – 7.6 ppm |
| Alkalinity | 80 – 120 ppm |
| Hardness | 150 – 400 ppm |
Properly balancing your pool water before it becomes inactive for several months not only facilitates a much easier opening experience but also helps safeguard your liner and pool components from potential winter damage.
2. Wait Until Water Temperature Drops Below 65 Degrees
It’s beneficial to keep your pool open for a few weeks to a month after you’ve stopped swimming. Many people mistakenly believe that closing their pool is synonymous with cold water. This misconception often leads to algae infestations during the off-season. Algae can thrive in water temperatures above 65 degrees. For optimal results, monitor the average water temperature weekly by taking readings in the morning and evening, then averaging them:
(Morning water temperature + Evening water temperature) ÷ 2 = Average Water Temperature
Once the average temperature falls below 65 degrees, it’s the right time to close your pool for the season.
3. Skim the Pool Surface
Before closing, remove any leaves, grass, insects, and other debris floating on the surface of the water. Clean the skimmer baskets and remove any items like toys or floats that may have been left in the pool or caught in the filtration system.
4. Vacuum Your Swimming Pool
Once it’s time to close your pool, give the bottom a thorough cleaning. If you’ve maintained your pool well throughout the season, this task should be straightforward. Connect your pool vacuum and hoses to the filter, and slowly vacuum the pool bottom, ensuring that all settled debris is captured. While this step isn’t strictly necessary, it greatly enhances your experience when you remove the cover next season to find a clean pool waiting for you.
5. Clean Your Pool’s Filter
Only clean the filter after you’ve vacuumed the pool. For sand filters, backwash for about two minutes or until the water runs clear. If you have a cartridge filter, use a hose to clean it until all dirt is removed. Remember to run the rinse cycle for at least 30 seconds after backwashing before turning off the pump.
6. Shock Your Swimming Pool
Although not mandatory, it’s advisable to give your pool a final shock treatment to eliminate any lingering bacteria. After adding pool shock, run the pump for several hours, preferably overnight. Continue operating the pump for a few days until you’re ready to close the pool completely.
7. Lower Water Levels Below the Return
To prevent water from freezing in the hoses and causing damage, lower the pool water level several inches below the return. There are various methods to achieve this, but avoid leaving the filter in backwash mode for an extended period, as this can damage the filter. Here are several options:
- Set your sand filter to WASTE and start draining the pool. This method will only work until the water level is too low for the pump to siphon.
- Remove the plug if applicable, allowing water to drain from the walls or bottom of the pool.
- Take out the sand filter plug at the bottom. This method can be ineffective if sand blocks water from exiting.
- A submersible pump can efficiently lower water levels. Place it in the pool and connect a hose to drain the water.
- My preferred method involves disconnecting the return hose from the filter, allowing water to drain until it falls below the return level. Use the WASTE setting on the sand filter until the water level is too low, keeping in mind this will create a significant amount of water around your pool.
8. Disconnect All Hoses
Water freezes at temperatures below 32 degrees, expanding as it turns to ice. This can cause hoses, pipes, and filters to bulge and ultimately burst, leading to costly repairs. Even after draining the water, some may still remain in the filter, pump, and hoses. Disconnect all hoses to allow any residual water to drain completely.
9. Turn Off/Disconnect Power
If you have a dedicated power box installed by a certified electrician, switch off the power for the off-season by flipping the breaker. Do not leave extension cords or other power sources connected, as they can be hazardous during winter weather. To prevent the risk of electrical shock, ensure all power is disconnected from your pool equipment.
10. Remove Your Pump and Store Indoors
Keeping the pump in a dry location during winter is highly recommended. While some pool owners leave pumps connected during the winter, this can lead to damage from snow and ice accumulation. I once made the mistake of leaving my pump attached, and the snow covered it completely. When I tried to power it up the following season, it only hummed. Thankfully, I was able to fix it with a bit of lubrication, but I learned my lesson. Disconnect your pump from the mount and store it in a dry place such as a shed or garage until the next season.
11. Place an Air Pillow in Your Pool
An air pillow will float on the surface of your pool and can be found in various sizes. After experimenting with and without one, I strongly recommend using an air pillow. It helps alleviate the pressure from precipitation on the cover, preventing stress on the pool walls. While some may opt for alternative floating objects, I find that air pillows are effective and inexpensive, typically costing around $10 at pool supply stores. Inflate the pillow and place it beneath the cover before sealing your pool.
12. Cover the Pool with a Quality Pool Cover
The importance of this step cannot be overstated. Pool covers come in various materials and price ranges. With some diligent shopping, you can find a durable cover at a reasonable price. I purchased my current cover for around $30, and it has served me well for several years. When covering the pool, ensure that no part of the cover touches the water; if it becomes wet, it may weigh down and become difficult to secure properly. Once the cover is in place, tighten it using any straps provided or secure it with clamps to prevent wind damage during winter storms.
Bonus: Pro Tip – Place a Winter Cover Seal Around the Pool
Once you’ve covered your pool, you can breathe easy knowing it’s protected for the winter. For added security, consider using a winter cover seal around the perimeter of the pool. This wrap helps prevent debris from blowing in and adds extra support to your cover. It comes in a roll and can be applied easily with a friend. Properly securing it will ensure it lasts throughout the off-season.
Opening Your Pool in Spring
After successfully covering your pool for winter, the next step is waiting for spring. However, timing is critical when it comes to reopening your pool. Waiting too long can lead to algae growth. For guidance on the best times to open and close your pool, check out my article titled “How to Keep Your Pool Clear Year-Round.”