How to Properly Close Your Pool for Winter

Properly closing your pool for winter is important to ensure your equipment is protected from the harsh winter months. To close your pool, there are important steps to take and you may require additional swimming pool supplies. Thankfully, an online pool supplies store such as Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs can help you get prepared for the winter. In this article, we have helped outline a step-by-step guide to closing your pool.

Organize Equipment

Before you start the process of closing your pool, it is important to take stock of your equipment, ensure that everything is in order, and make sure you do not require any repairs or replacements. It’s important to check your winter pool cover and winter bags for any leaks or tears and patch them with vinyl. Make sure you also have the appropriate winter chemicals to prevent stains and the growth of algae over the winter months. Finally, you will also need an air compressor to help clear your lines so you should double-check that your compressor is in good shape. If you are lacking any equipment, visit our online pool supplies store.

Make Sure Your Pool is Prepared

To prepare the pool for the winterizing process, start by removing everything from the pool. This includes toys, flotation devices, any diving boards, water slides, or waterfalls. These accessories should be cleaned and stored for the winter, preferably indoors in a shed or garage. Then, drain the water in your pool until it is just below the return lines.

Clean Pumps and Filters

Start by disconnecting both your pump and filter, pull out the drain plug, and completely drain all the water. Store the pump drain plug for the winter. Next, drain the filter tanks and clean the filter. After the pump is fully drained and all the jet fittings are removed, you can briefly turn on the pump to make sure all the water is removed. Then you can store both your pump and filter indoors for winter.

Prepare Your Heater

Use your air compressor to blow out the lines of your heater and ensure that it is drained of all water. Locate and pull out all the drain plugs and store all the equipment for winter.

Drain Your Lines

Use your air compressor to clear your plumbing of all water. Keep the air compressor on for long enough that you see air bubbles coming out of the jets in your pool. Each line (jet) should then be securely plugged for the winter.

Prepare the Skimmer

Over the winter, you will not need your skimmer. Therefore, you can remove the skimmer basket, clean it, and store it for the winter. All the skimmer pipes can then be cleared using your air compressor. Finally, you can use a skimmer plate to cover the mouth of the skimmer and prevent any water from entering the system.

Balance Your Water Chemistry

As always, the chemistry of your water is important for ensuring the longevity of your pool and equipment. Balanced chemistry can help prevent your liner from developing stains and algae from growing throughout the winter. Before closing up your pool for the winter, you will want to balance the pH and alkalinity of the water as well as the calcium hardness. All these chemicals can be purchased through an online pool supplies store to ensure your water is prepared for the winter.

Install Your Winter Pool Cover

A pool cover helps to protect both your pool water and its liner. With a properly installed winter pool cover, you will be able to avoid leaves, sticks, and other debris from collecting in the bottom of your pool. This will make it easier to re-open your pool and clean it in the spring. To install your winter pool cover, place it over your pool and carefully place water bags along the perimeter of the cover. Water bags should only be partially filled as the water will expand when it freezes. Make sure that the water bags are attached through the loops of your winter cover to keep it securely in place.

Alternatively, some pool owners have a safety cover instead of a winter cover. These require the installation of anchors around the perimeter of the pool. To install your safety cover, it will need to be snapped into the anchors. Over the course of the winter, you can then maintain your safety cover by occasionally clearing the top of any leaves, sticks, or other debris.

Store Your Pool Supplies

Finally, once you have completed all the above steps, you can ensure all your equipment is cleaned and safely stored for winter. Although there are a lot of steps to winterize an inground pool, it is important to properly prepare your equipment and pool to avoid expensive damage. If you are concerned about any of the stages of closing your pool, you might consider hiring a professional company to complete the process. An expert team will then complete all the necessary steps and can even store your equipment securely offsite if you do not have space in your shed or garage. In this way, you will ensure that your equipment and pool are properly protected for the winter, without the hassle of going through all the steps yourself.

Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs Can Help!

At Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs, we have over 30 years of experience providing homeowners with pool and spa services in the Greater Toronto Area. Our comprehensive online pool supplies store makes it easy to browse through equipment, chemicals, and accessories to compliment your backyard pool or hot tub. Many homeowners forget about the swimming pool supplies they will need to close their pool for winter. At Seaway, we provide a range of chemicals and equipment to help you prepare for the winter months. We also offer closing services if you would prefer to have your pool properly closed without all the hassle. No matter what your pool or spa needs, Seaway can help. For more information on any of our services or to discuss closing your pool this winter, contact us today at 905-294-8030 (Markham) or 905-853-8500 (Newmarket).