Guide to Winterizing Your Pool

Winterizing your pool properly helps prevent damage from freezing temperatures, protects your equipment, and makes opening your pool in the spring much easier. It's also an important annual step to take to help protect your pool long term. Anyone with a pool knows how expensive repairs and upgrades can be, spending the time, effort and money to properly winterize your pool can help save you money and headaches in the future.

Most homeowners don't drain their pools during the off season. Fully draining your pool can cause damage to your pool's lining and the concrete layers around your pool due to the freeze thaw cycle of seasonal winter weather in most parts of the country. That doesn't mean you shouldn't stop maintaining your pool's chemistry or doing some important deep cleaning.

Follow these steps to winterize your pool:

1. Clean the Pool

• Skim and Vacuum: Remove all debris such as leaves and dirt.
• Brush Walls and Floor: Scrub the pool’s surfaces to prevent algae growth.
• Check Water Chemistry: Ensure balanced levels:
  • pH: 7.2–7.6
  • Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
  • Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
  • Chlorine: 1–3 ppm

2. Lower the Water Level

• Lower the water level below the skimmer and pool returns:
  • In-ground pools: Use a submersible pump or the pool’s filter system.
  • Above-ground pools: Drain to a level specified by the manufacturer.
• Avoid fully draining the pool to prevent liner or structure damage.

Failing to lower the water level by a few inches can lead to ice damage on and around the upper edges of your pool surfaces.

3. Add Winterizing Chemicals

• Use a winter chemical kit or add these individually:
  • Shock: Apply a chlorine shock to kill contaminants.
  • Algaecide: Prevent algae growth during the winter.
  • Stain and Scale Preventer: Protect pool surfaces from scaling or stains.
  • Enzyme Products (Optional): Break down organic material.

4. Drain and Protect Equipment

• Filter and Pump:
  • Turn off the power and drain water from the pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator.
  • Remove and store plugs in a safe place.
• Heater: Blow out water or follow the manufacturer’s winterizing instructions.
• Pipes: Use a shop vacuum or air compressor to blow water out of the lines.
• Skimmer: Add a skimmer guard or Gizzmo to prevent cracking.

It's important to clear pipes of old standing water because as water freezes, it expands and can cause pipes to burst or crack. Since you're not running your pump, you won't realize the issue until you try and open up your pool in the spring or summer.

5. Install a Pool Cover

• Safety Cover: Ideal for in-ground pools for added safety and durability.
• Winter Cover: Use for above-ground or in-ground pools to block debris.
• Secure the cover tightly using straps, cables, or weights to prevent movement during winter storms.

Make sure guests and children understand that there is still water under the pool cover. Pool covers can be deceiving surfaces, especially to kids who may think it is safe to walk on the surface of the pool cover. Add proper fencing or guard rails to help prevent tragedy.

6. For Above-Ground Pools

• Remove and store ladders and accessories.
• If your pool has a vinyl liner, avoid draining too much water to prevent the liner from shrinking.

7. Regular Maintenance

• Check the pool cover periodically for debris, damage, or water accumulation.
• Use a cover pump to remove excess water if necessary.

By following these steps, you can protect your pool from winter damage and ensure a smoother opening next season.