It is essential to follow proper winterization steps when closing above-ground pools in Connecticut and other areas that experience freezing winter temperatures. The Swimming Pool Store has been protecting pools from harsh New England winters for more than 50 years and offers professional pool-closing services and tips.
Closing Above-Ground Pools Properly is Crucial
It is crucial to properly close above-ground pools for the winter to protect against costly damage and make opening in the spring easier. Improperly closing your pool can result in ice damage to your pool’s frame and equipment, and could lead to serious water chemistry problems in the spring.
It is essential to continue chlorinating your water and to run the filter until closing, even if you are no longer swimming. This will make your pool closing easier and prevent imbalanced water problems before your final closing. You will save time, headaches, and money by winterizing your pool to avoid the risk of freezing damage and contamination.
Materials Needed for Closing Pools
It is essential to test your water and balance the chemistry of your pool before closing above-ground and in-ground pools. You will need test strips, a water-balancing kit, or have your water tested at your swimming pool store. Before closing your pool, make sure that you balance your:
Chlorine
Alkalinity
pH
Calcium hardness
Winterizing chemicals are also required and include:
Shock
Phosphate reducer
Winter clarifier
Algaecide
Stain preventer
Antifreeze
You can get most of your winterizing chemicals in a closing kit, although make sure you have antifreeze ready to protect your plumbing.
Pool closing accessories and equipment required include:
Winter safety cover
Skimmer plate or gizmo
Shop vac or air compressor to blow the lines
Jet rubber plugs
Proper winter cover materials, like cables or water bags
Steps to Closing Above-Ground Pools
Follow these steps to close your aboveground pool properly:
1. Clean your pool thoroughly – do one last deep clean of your pool before winterizing, including a thorough vacuuming, brushing of the walls, and skimming the surface. This prepares your water for final balancing and winterizing to prevent algae growth and stains over the winter.
2. Test and balance your pool water – properly balanced pool water optimizes winterizing chemicals and makes opening easier in the spring. Your goal is a chlorine level between 1 – 3 ppm, an alkalinity level between 100 – 150 ppm, a pH between 7.4 – 7.6, and a calcium hardness between 175 – 225 ppm. Be sure to adjust alkalinity before adjusting pH. Adjust the calcium hardness as hard water deposits can form unsightly, crusty build-up over time in your pool and plumbing, and too soft water can damage tiled pools and corrode metal.
Add your pool shock and algaecide from the winter closing kit, which usually includes a clarifying enzyme treatment and a bottle or ball to puncture and leave in the water. This helps prevent algae growth, making opening easier in the spring. Some winterizing chemicals need to circulate with the pump running for at least an hour before draining the water and closing. Read the instructions on your pool winterizing chemicals.
3. Drain the water – when your pool is clean, and the water is balanced with winterizing chemicals added, it is time to drain water below the skimmer line. Lower the water 3 to 6 inches below the skimmer when using a solid, floating cover.
4. Blow out the lines – Use your shop vac to blow air through the lines to remove any water that might freeze and crack the plumbing lines over the winter. Add your winter plugs and fittings over the jets, and add anti-freeze in the lines to further protect against freezing damage.
5. Remove any rails or ladders and protect against rodent damage – remove, rinse, let dry, and store rails and ladders over the winter. Be sure to protect your solar cover against mouse damage when storing for the winter.
6. Winterize your pump and filter – you also want to drain the water out of your sand filter and remove any cartridges from a cartridge filter and clean them, allowing them to dry thoroughly and store them for the winter. Be sure to turn off the gas valve if you have a gas heater, and protect your heater against rodent damage over the winter. It is best to move it inside if you can.
Install your winter safety cover and inspect it well in advance of the day you need to use it for signs of damage, such as holes, rips, or tears. Pool safety covers protect children and pets around your pool when it’s closed and prevent drowning accidents during the off-season.
The Swimming Pool Store offers pool closing for above-ground and in-ground pools to protect your pool against winter damage and make opening in the spring easier.
The Swimming Pool Store has been providing professional swimming pool services and quality products for pool owners in Connecticut since 1969. We offer a large, modern pool supply store and services, including pool openings, maintenance, and closings. Contact us to learn more about the right way to winterize and protect your pool with the proper materials and steps for closing above-ground pools.
