Winterizing or closing your above-ground pool is part of the deal when it comes to taking proper care of your swim pool.
Doing so, and doing it properly, protects the investment that is your swimming pool and will make it significantly easier to reopen it in the spring.
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about closing and winterizing your above ground pool so that you can do it with complete confidence.
Let’s jump right in.
Why It’s Necessary to Winterize an Above Ground Pool
If you live in an area with cold winters, your pool is susceptible to the elements. Take essential steps to winterize your above-ground pool if you want it to function properly and to get the most longevity out of it as possible.
During the summer months, it’s likely you’re frequently maintaining your pool since it’s the time of year when you’re using it, and the nice weather makes you not mind taking care of it. However, it’s pretty uncomfortable to get out there and maintain things during the cold of winter.
That’s why it makes sense to do the bulk of the work of winterizing your above-ground pool when the weather’s still reasonable and just have a few things to do here in there once winter comes around.
The Right Time to Winterize Your Above Ground Pool
How long you keep your pool open depends on where you live.
In general, it’s a good idea to close your pool when temperatures regularly fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can do this by running your filter and chlorinating your pool until final closure. Your water should be clean before final closure.
The Supplies You Will Need
- A winter cover for above ground pools
- A winch and cable for your cover
- Cover clips
- A winterizing chemical kit
- A pool air pillow
- Pool antifreeze
- Winter expansion plugs
- Return line winter plugs
Checklist for Successfully Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool
Here are the steps to take to winterize your above-ground pool successfully.
Clean Out Your Pool
Cleaning out your pool for the winter ensures that leaves and debris from inside your drains won’t clog up your pump or cause other problems when it’s time to reopen. This includes vacuuming the pool, brushing the walls down, and skimming at the surface level.
Not cleaning your pool for the winter can cause algae and mold growth. Cleaning your pool out also helps to balance your waters.
Stow Away Your Skimmer for The Winter
Your best option is probably to remove your skimmer basket and store it in a dry, somewhat temperature-controlled place during the winter. This will help get the most longevity out of your skimmer.
You then seal your skimmer for the winter with a skimmer cover built to keep the elements out. If you don’t use a skimmer cover, you need to watch your water levels, because if water gets in your skimmer and freezes, it could crack.
Remove All Pool Toys & Accessories for Winter Storage
Avoid leaving any pool toys or accessories in your pool over winter. Pool tools and accessories can be damaged, or worse yet, they could damage your pool.
So be on the safe side and remove any pool toys or other accessories when you clean out your pool.
Lower Your Water Levels
You need to lower your water level to at least below the skimmer to protect your skimmer. Otherwise, water will get in, and freezing water can expand and crack it.
You also might need to drain your water throughout the winter if you have any precipitation that brings your water level back above your skimmer. However, if you use a skimmer plate, you don’t need to drain your pool.
Do keep in mind that you should never completely drain an above-ground pool for winterizing, as this can damage your vinyl pool liner.
Test & Adjust Your Water Chemistry
Test your pool water with a water testing kit for the most accuracy. You can also use testing strips, although they’re less accurate.
The ideal numbers that you’re looking for include:
- 1ppm (parts per million) to 3ppm chlorine levels
- pH levels between 7.4 and 7.6
- 100ppm to 150ppm of alkalinity
- 175ppm to 225ppm calcium hardness
Add The Appropriate Winterizing Chemicals
The easiest way to winterize your above-ground pool is to use a winterizing kit. These kits have all the chemicals you need to winterize a pool mixed. Otherwise, buy each ingredient separately and measure how much you’ll need for your pool.
If you want more control over winterizing your above ground pool, here are the individual chemicals for proper care:
- Pool Algaecide
- Calcium Hypochlorite Shock
- pH Increaser
- Alkalinity Increaser
- Calcium Hardness Increaser
Winterize Your Filter & Pump
You want to drain the filter.
Take your pump out and remove the drain plugs and hoses. It’s also a good idea to store the pump drain plugs and hoses in the pump basket to keep track of them for when you open your pool back up in the spring.
Extend the life of your filter and pump by storing them in a dry, climate-controlled storage area.
Use a Pool Pillow
If you haven’t heard of a pool pillow yet, it’s a lifesaver for winterizing an above-ground pool.
The magic of a pool pillow is that it compensates for the added weight when it snows, and your pool cover has to hold more weight from snow and ice. So a pool pillow will protect not only your pool cover but the walls of your pool as well.
You should inflate your pool pillow to only about 50-60% of its capacity so it has some give to it and won’t pop.
Center your pool pillow in the middle of the pool for maximum effectiveness.
Put on the Pool Cover
Once you have your pool pillow in place, install your pool cover. A quality winter pool cover will wrap over the edges of the pool and can be fastened in place to prevent the over from flapping in the wind.
The most effective way to keep your pool cover in place is to secure it using a cable, winch, and winter cover clips for good measure.
Avoid using makeshift materials like rocks or bricks to tighten your pool cover, as that can easily damage your pool cover.
Putting It All Together
I hope our guide to winterizing an above-ground pool has helped close your pool for the year. Remember to always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using winterizing chemicals.
Winterizing your above-ground pool can be a bit of a pain, but it’s worth it because your pool will have protection for the winter; it is faster to open your pool in spring, and your pool will last longer.
Best of luck with your closing!
