Swimming Pool Blog - Above Ground Pool Blog

It’s that time of year where the air gets a bit crisper, the leaves will begin to change and fall, jackets and long sleeves get dusted off. Unfortunately for a lot of people, it’s also that time when you need to begin to prepare your swimming pool for winter. Whether you’re winterizing your pool or closing it, there are proper ways to do so.

Here are a few reminders for when you’re getting your pool ready for the changing of seasons:

Address the Plumbing

Obviously, when water gets cold, it freezes. When it freezes, it expands. If there is water left in your plumbing lines or skimmer, your pool can suffer severe damage. If you don’t want to lower the water level below the skimmer, make sure you purchase a skimmer closure or guard.

Make sure there isn’t any water in your plumbing lines. An easy way to do this is to use a shop vac to blow the water out of your plumbing lines. You can use a threaded or rubber plug to assure the water doesn’t refill the lines.

Winterizing Chemicals

Adding a winterizing kit will help keep your water nice and blue until next pool season. You can find these kits nearly anywhere that sells pool supplies. Most kits include algaecide and an intense chlorine-free shock formula that will reduce off-season bleaching.

Some kits will come with a solution to minimize stain on your walls and pool floor as well. Additionally, some kits will include a floater, others won’t. If you already have a floater, again, make sure you do not use a strong oxidizer that will ruin your pool wall.

While closing or winterizing your pool is a sad occasion, there are ways to do it that will help sustain the beauty and operation for next season!

For more information on properly maintaining and caring for your pool, whether it’s above ground or inground, check out our downloadable maintenance guides online.