Close Pools

How to Close Pool for Winter: Complete Guide, Tips, and Step-by-Step Instructions

The Swimming Pool Store offers this comprehensive guide to closing pools with tips and essential steps to prevent costly damage and ensure a hassle-free pool opening in the spring. Discover how balancing your water chemistry, installing the right safety cover, and protecting your equipment can extend your pool’s lifespan.

Save time, money, and effort by following best practices for pool closings, or contact The Swimming Pool Store to schedule your professional pool closing and order your pool safety cover.

Tips to Close Pools in Preparation for Winter

Learning how to close your pool for the winter is crucial to protect it from the harsh effects of cold weather. Freezing temperatures can damage pool equipment, plumbing, and surfaces if not properly winterized. Taking the right steps to protect your pool now helps extend the life of your pool equipment and prevents costly repairs in the future.

Additionally, a properly closed and winterized pool ensures a smooth, easy pool opening in the spring, reducing the time and effort required to get your pool back to pristine condition. The Swimming Pool Store offers more than 50 years of experience in closing pools, and these tips for closing and winterizing your pool.

What You Need To Close Pools

Winters in New England come quickly and can cause damage and costly repairs if pools are not properly closed. It is important to properly winterize above-ground and in-ground pools to prevent damage and reduce stress when opening in the spring. It is essential to balance your pool chemistry first, so that you will need test strips or to have your water tested professionally to balance:

  • Chlorine
  • pH
  • Alkalinity
  • Calcium hardness

You will also need winterizing chemicals, including:

  • Chlorine shock
  • Algaecide
  • Winter clarifier
  • Phosphate reducer
  • Stain prevention
  • Antifreeze

You can usually find winterizing chemicals in a pool closing kit. You will also need closing equipment like the rubber plugs to plug the jets, a gizmo or skimmer plate for your skimmer basket, an air compressor or shop vac with a blow setting to blow out the lines before you plug the holes, and, of course, your winter safety cover or water tubes for closing.

Steps to Properly Close a Swimming Pool

Thoroughly Clean

The first step in properly closing your pool is ensuring that it is clean and free of debris. Begin by removing any leaves, dirt, or other debris from the water using a pool net or vacuum. Thoroughly brush the pool walls and floor to remove algae or buildup. Once the pool is clean, it’s important to balance the water chemistry for the winter season.

Balance Pool Water Chemistry

Properly balancing your pool’s water chemistry is an essential step to closing your pool correctly and protecting it from potential damage during the winter months. Failure to balance key elements such as pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness can lead to problems like corrosion, staining, and scale buildup, which can be costly and time-consuming to fix when you reopen your pool in the spring.

  • pH: Maintaining the correct pH range (7.2-7.6) is essential to prevent scale buildup and corrosion. A balanced pH prevents your pool’s water from becoming too acidic or too basic during the off-season, which can damage the pool’s surfaces and equipment.
  • Alkalinity: Proper alkalinity (80-120 ppm) acts as a buffer for pH, helping stabilize it over time. This prevents sudden pH fluctuations that can negatively affect your pool’s health during the winter.
  • Calcium Hardness: Maintaining the correct calcium hardness level (200-400 ppm) prevents plaster etching, surface degradation, and scale formation on your pool surfaces and equipment. This balance is especially important if your pool water remains stagnant for several months.

Adding sodium borate to your pool before closing can further stabilize the water by helping to maintain a consistent pH level throughout the winter. Sodium borate acts as a buffer, helping stabilize pH and reduce the likelihood of algae growth, improving the overall clarity of your pool water.  Learn how to Start Realizing the Many Benefits of Sodium Borate for Pools.

Balancing your pool chemistry now will help protect your pool during the off-season and ensure a smooth, hassle-free opening when the warmer months return.

Lower the Water Level

Lowering the water level is a crucial step to prevent freezing damage and overflow caused by winter precipitation. For in-ground pools, lower the water level below the skimmer, typically about 4 to 6 inches. In above-ground pools, reduce the water level slightly, but don’t lower it too much, as this could damage the pool liner.  For a step-by-step guide specific to above-ground pools, check out our detailed instructions on Closing Above Ground Pools.

Drain and Winterize Pool Equipment

After lowering the water level, it’s time to winterize your pool equipment. Start by backwashing and cleaning your pool filter to ensure it’s free from debris. Next, drain the pool filter, heater, chlorinator, and any other equipment to prevent water from freezing inside the components.  Attach a hose to the filter drain plug and let the water completely drain out over a few days. Then you can disconnect the hose and close the valve. If you have a cartridge filter, you should remove the cartridges and clean them.  Remove any pool accessories, such as ladders and skimmer baskets, and store them in a dry, safe place.

Blow Out and Plugging Lines

To prevent freezing damage to your pool’s plumbing, it’s essential to blow out all water from the lines. Using an air compressor or a shop vacuum, blow air through the plumbing lines until all water is cleared. Once the lines are dry, plug the return lines and skimmers with freeze plugs to prevent any residual water from freezing inside.

You should then add pool antifreeze to the lines to ensure no water remains that could cause freezing and expansion. Double-check that all plugs are secure for the winter season. Store your antifreeze jug in the skimmer area for added protection.

Install a Winter Cover

The final step to close pools safely is to install a high-quality pool cover. The right pool cover will protect your pool from debris, reduce water evaporation, and prevent accidental falls. Choose between mesh, solid, or custom pool covers based on your needs and climate. Mesh covers allow water to pass through while keeping debris out, while solid covers completely block water and debris, making them ideal for preventing algae growth. Custom covers provide a perfect fit for uniquely shaped pools.

Check out our blog on Preventing Winter Pool Cover Failures to learn more about how to close a pool for the winter and for more tips on preventing common pool cover issues.  If you’re using water bags to secure your cover, inspect them regularly to ensure they aren’t deflating or slipping. We recommend upgrading to a winter safety pool cover for a more secure and durable solution.

Best Pool Cover Brands for Safety and Protection

Installing the right pool safety cover is crucial to keep pools safe, protect your pool during the off-season, and prevent accidents. Here are leading brands known for their high-quality, durable safety covers:

Merlin Pool Safety Covers
  • GLI Pool Products Safety Covers: GLI offers a wide range of pool safety covers designed for strength and reliability. Their covers are built to provide superior protection against debris and accidents while withstanding harsh weather conditions.
  • Merlin Pool Safety Covers: Merlin is known for producing strong and stylish pool safety covers that provide excellent protection. Their custom covers are designed to fit any pool shape perfectly, offering peace of mind by keeping your pool secure during the off-season.
  • LOOP-LOC Pool Covers: LOOP-LOC is a leader in the industry, offering some of the strongest and safest pool covers available. Their covers are known for their durability, and they provide a wide range of colors and styles to complement your backyard aesthetics. LOOP-LOC’s patented design ensures that their covers meet and exceed ASTM safety standards, preventing accidental falls and protecting your pool.
  • Latham Pool Covers: Latham offers a variety of solid and mesh pool covers known for their durability and ease of use. Latham’s pool covers are designed with the highest safety standards in mind, offering both protection from debris and preventing accidental falls. Their covers are built to last and provide reliable protection throughout the winter season.UV Light: Ultraviolet (UV) light, specifically in the C-band spectrum (UV-C), is used to activate specific reactions that produce hydroxyl radicals. When UV light interacts with water and ozone, it initiates photolysis, generating hydroxyl radicals.

These brands offer some of the best safety covers on the market, giving you peace of mind during the off-season while protecting your pool and loved ones. To learn more about maintaining your pool cover throughout the winter and keeping it in top condition, check out our guide on Winter Maintenance for Pool Covers.

Close Pools with Water Bags vs. Safety Covers

When it comes to closing your pool for the winter, choosing between water bags and safety covers can significantly affect protection, convenience, and long-term benefits.

Close Pools with Water Bags

Water bags are often seen as a budget-friendly option for securing a pool cover. They are designed to hold a standard winter cover in place by being placed around the pool’s perimeter. While they can be effective for keeping debris out of the pool, water bags come with a few limitations:

  • Affordability and Ease of Use: Water bags are a more affordable option and are relatively easy to install. Fill the bags with water and place them along the edges of your pool cover to secure it.
  • High Maintenance: However, water bags require regular monitoring and maintenance throughout the winter. They are prone to shifting, leaking, or deflating, which can cause the cover to sag or even collapse into the pool. This can lead to potential damage and require more frequent inspections and adjustments.
  • Limited Safety: Water bags do not offer the same level of safety as dedicated safety covers. They are not designed to support the weight of a person or pet, so they provide minimal protection against accidental falls into the pool.

Close Pools with Safety Covers

Upgrading to a safety cover provides a more secure, durable, and low-maintenance solution to close pools for the winter. Safety covers are designed to provide complete protection, preventing debris and ensuring the safety of your family and pets.

  • Enhanced Safety: Safety covers are engineered to support the weight of children, pets, and even adults, providing a secure barrier that prevents accidents. These covers are securely anchored to the pool deck, ensuring they stay in place and provide consistent protection throughout the winter.
  • Low Maintenance: Once installed, safety covers require less maintenance than water bags. They are designed to remain secure without the need for constant adjustments, and their durability ensures long-lasting protection against debris and winter weather.
  • Long-Term Investment: While safety covers may involve a higher upfront cost, they are a worthwhile investment in the long run. Their durability and safety features protect your pool and provide peace of mind during the off-season.

Winter Pool Care and Off-Season Checklist

Once your pool is closed for the winter, regular maintenance remains essential to keep everything in good condition until spring. Here’s how to maintain your pool during the colder months:

  1. Inspect the Pool Cover Regularly: Check your pool cover periodically for signs of wear, sagging, or debris buildup. If you are using water bags, make sure they are still properly inflated and that the cover is still holding in place. If you’ve upgraded to a safety cover, ensure that all anchors are secure and that the cover remains tight over the pool.
  2. Clear Debris Off the Cover: Remove any leaves, branches, or other debris that may accumulate on the cover, as excess weight can cause the cover to sag or even collapse. Use a pool cover pump to remove any water that collects on solid covers.
  3. Inspect Pool Equipment: Periodically check your pool equipment, such as pumps, filters, and heaters, to ensure they remain winterized and free from damage. Make sure rodents or pests have not taken refuge in your pool area during the colder months.
  4. Monitor Water Levels: Keep an eye on the water levels under your cover. If levels rise significantly due to snow or rain, you may need to lower them again to prevent overflow.
  5. Protect Equipment from Rodents: As the colder months approach, your pool equipment becomes a prime target for rodents seeking shelter. These pests can chew through wires, nest in heaters, and cause significant damage to your pool system. Appropriately protecting your pool equipment from rodents during the winter is crucial to avoid costly repairs and ensure everything functions smoothly when the pool is reopened.

Make sure to clean and store any loose items such as pool floats, skimmer baskets, and hoses that could attract rodents. Enclose vulnerable areas, such as the heater, pump, and filter, with rodent-proof materials, and learn more about mouse-proofing pool heaters. Keeping the pool area clean and clutter-free reduces the likelihood that pests will make your equipment their winter home.

Pool Opening After Winter: What to Expect

Following the proper procedures to close pools saves both time and money. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to open your pool after winter:

  • More straightforward Opening Process: A well-closed pool will require much less effort to open in the spring. If your water was properly balanced before closing and your cover remained secure throughout the winter, you can expect fewer issues with algae, debris, and equipment.
  • Cleaning and Restoring Water Balance: Once the cover is removed, the first step is to remove any debris that may have entered the pool. After that, test your water chemistry and adjust pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels to restore balance. You will typically need to shock the pool after opening to ensure it’s safe for swimming.
  • Time and Cost Savings: By following proper procedures to close pools, you’ll save time during the opening process because your pool will be cleaner and better protected. Additionally, the cost of chemicals, repairs, and equipment maintenance will be significantly lower, thanks to the protective measures taken during the pool closing.

A well-executed pool closing sets you up for a smooth, stress-free spring opening, so you can enjoy your pool sooner and avoid the hassle of extensive repairs or cleanup.

Pool Closing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Close Pools

Closing a pool correctly is essential to protect your investment from freezing temperatures and harsh winter conditions. The Swimming Pool Store provides professional closing services designed to safeguard your pool’s plumbing, liner, equipment, and water balance until spring. The following FAQs explain the closing process, timing, costs, and key homeowner responsibilities to help you prepare your pool for a safe, efficient, and damage-free winter season in Connecticut.

Why is properly closing a pool so important in Connecticut?

Proper pool closing prevents costly damage caused by freezing water and unbalanced chemistry during winter. It ensures that plumbing lines, pumps, filters, and liners are protected and ready for next season. Failing to close correctly can lead to cracked pipes, damaged fittings, or algae growth.

Connecticut’s freeze-thaw cycles put extra stress on pool systems. A thorough closing includes lowering water levels, draining and blowing out lines, winterizing equipment, and securely covering the pool. This preparation helps avoid spring repairs and keeps water quality manageable when reopening.

When should homeowners close their pool for the season?

The ideal time to close a pool in Connecticut is when daytime temperatures regularly fall below 65°F. This timing minimizes algae growth and ensures the system is protected before the first freeze.

For most homeowners, late September through early November is optimal. Closing too early can waste energy, while closing too late increases the risk of freezing lines. Professional scheduling fills quickly during this window, so booking early ensures timely service.

What steps are included in a professional pool closing service?

A professional closing involves balancing water chemistry, lowering water levels, cleaning surfaces, winterizing lines and equipment, and securing the cover. Each step prevents damage and ensures the pool reopens smoothly in spring.

The Swimming Pool Store technicians blow out and plug lines, add winter chemicals, clean filters, and remove accessories like ladders and skimmer baskets. They also inspect covers and fittings for wear, providing peace of mind through the winter months.

Can homeowners close their pool themselves?

While do-it-yourself closings are possible, hiring a professional ensures each system is winterized correctly. Mistakes such as missed water in pipes or poor installation of covers can cause significant winter damage.

Professionals have the equipment to properly evacuate plumbing lines, test fittings, and apply the right amount of chemicals. Homeowners without experience often underestimate the steps required for freeze protection or chemical balancing, leading to spring repairs that outweigh any initial savings.

How much does a professional pool closing cost?

Costs vary based on pool size, equipment, and cover type, but most Connecticut homeowners spend between $400 and $650 for full professional closing service. Larger or complex systems may cost more.

The price typically includes line blowing, equipment winterization, chemical balancing, and secure cover installation. Given the potential for costly freeze damage, professional closing provides substantial long-term value.

What’s the difference between mesh and solid safety covers?

Mesh covers allow rain and snowmelt to drain into the pool, while solid covers completely block sunlight and debris. Both provide safety and winter protection when installed correctly.

Mesh covers are lighter and easier to handle, but allow some fine particles through. Solid covers block nearly everything but require a pump to remove standing water. The Swimming Pool Store installs both types and can recommend the best fit for your pool’s environment.

How should water chemistry be adjusted before closing?

Balancing pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness before adding winter chemicals prevents corrosion, staining, and scale during the off-season. Proper chemistry keeps water clear and easier to reopen.

Professionals use chlorine or non-chlorine shocks, algaecide, and stabilizers to maintain equilibrium. The goal is clean, balanced water that won’t degrade equipment or liner surfaces over the winter.

What equipment is winterized during pool closing?

Pumps, filters, heaters, chlorinators, and plumbing lines are drained or blown out to remove water and prevent freeze damage. Valves and plugs are installed to seal openings.

For pools with heaters or automatic systems, technicians follow manufacturer-specific steps to protect sensitive components. Neglecting to drain or disconnect equipment properly is one of the most common causes of winter repair issues.

What can homeowners do during winter to maintain a closed pool?

Periodic cover inspections and debris removal help maintain water quality and prevent damage. Check water level and cover tension throughout winter, especially after storms.

Use a leaf blower or soft broom to clear snow and leaves. Ensure safety cover anchors remain tight and visible. Avoid walking on covers unless rated for safety. This light maintenance prevents stretching, tearing, or structural stress.

How soon can a pool be reopened after winter?

Pools can usually be opened once the risk of freezing has passed and daytime temperatures remain consistently above 60°F. Opening early helps manage water balance and avoid algae growth.

Many Connecticut homeowners reopen between April and early May. Early scheduling with The Swimming Pool Store ensures technicians can inspect for winter wear and prepare equipment efficiently for the new season.

The Swimming Pool Store Pool Closing Services

When you schedule a pool closing service with The Swimming Pool Store, our experienced technicians will handle all the necessary steps to protect your pool throughout the winter. We offer comprehensive pool closing services, which include:

mesh pool safety cover
  • Removing ladders, fittings, and rails, and storing them on your property if requested.
  • Thoroughly clean and inspect your cartridge, sand, or DE filters to ensure they are in good working condition.
  • Winterizing pumps, filters, heaters, and plumbing lines, draining all water from the equipment, and adding essential chemicals to maintain water quality during the winter. This includes liquid sodium hypochlorite shock, winter algaecide, and pool line antifreeze for pools up to 30,000 gallons.
  • Blowing out and plugging all circulation lines to prevent freezing, and installing your mesh or solid pool cover securely. If you have a solid cover, we will also fill and place your water bags.
  • Documenting any issues we notice with your pool, water quality, or equipment during the closing process.
  • Installing your winter pool safety cover. For solid covers, hose-fill the owner’s water bags. Additional water bags may be needed at an extra charge.
TSPS Logo

Contact Us to Close Pools

For more than 55 years, The Swimming Pool Store has been a trusted leader in Connecticut’s pool industry, known for craftsmanship, integrity, and long-term customer care. Founded by a master pool builder who installed countless in-ground pools throughout the region, the company is now led by his son—continuing a family legacy of excellence and service. Its expert crew of seasoned technicians, many with decades of experience, ensures each closing is handled with precision and reliability. Backed by outstanding customer reviews, a loyal client base, and one of the region’s most comprehensive online learning centers, The Swimming Pool Store demonstrates true Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust—protecting pools and preserving homeowner confidence season after season.

Contact Us
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top