Managing Home Maintenance Costs

In our last post, we said we would provide more detail about Swimming Pool Closing for the Winter. Here it is. Please note that we are going to assume that the weather during the winter is well below freezing and therefore you need to take special precautions when closing your pool. These instructions are also for an in-ground swimming pool, however, for above ground pools, you can follow many of the same steps.

We have added some details to the steps in our previous post. If they do not apply, just ignore them. Of course, we cannot be responsible for your pool, since every installation is a bit different. Above all use these instructions along with the detailed instructions you received from the pool company you deal with.

Swimming Pool Closing for the Winter

• Clean the pool and make sure that the water is clear, that there is no debris or dirt in the pool
• Back wash your filter in the usual manner to make sure it is also clean
• Using the attachments that come with the pool, lower the water level below the return lines
• Once the water is below the return lines, shut the pump off and disconnect the hoses you used to lower the water
• If you have a main drain, plug the line coming from the main drain in your pool. Usually you place an 18 inch long foam rod into the line at the skimmer and screw in the plug
• Make sure you use plumbers tape on the plug so that it provides a watertight seal

Remove All Water From Lines

• Blow the lines using a shop vac to get all of the water out of the lines
• Make sure every drop of water is removed from the lines to the pump and the lines back to the pool.
• Plug the lines so water cannot get back in and freeze using the plugs provided and plumbers tape
• Drain all water out of the pump and the filter
• Remove all plugs from the pump and the filter, the pressure gauge and the glass water observer attached to the filter
• Place the filter control in the winter position
• Cover the pump and filter to protect them from the elements if they are not enclosed in a shed
• Place Styrofoam in the skimmer to absorb the expansion of the ice and in the pool around the skimmer
• Place chlorine and algaecide  in the water to prevent the build-up of algae
• Remove ladders, diving board, and any other attachments and store them for the winter
• Cover the pool to protect the liner from UV rays, dirt and leaves
• Fill your water bags and place them around the pool on the cover to hold it in place
• Shut the power off to the pump to avoid it accidentally being turned on
• I also remove the pump and take it inside to protect it from winter’s elements

Summary

This is a pretty good list for most pools. However if you have heaters such as a gas heater or a solar heater, you will need to ensure that they are also drained properly and prepared for winter storage.

It is really important that all of these steps are completed properly. The most important of course is to ensure that all of the water is drained from the lines, the filter, and the pump to avoid freezing and cracking of any of these things. Also, you want to make sure that water cannot get into the lines during the winter. This will be equally bad and cause you a major headache next spring when you try to open your pool.

Doing this work yourself can save you a lot of money. This is the point of this blog. However, if you are unsure or uncomfortable with closing your swimming pool, hire a professional and book early since everyone wants their pool closed at the same time. No one wants to keep operating their pool when it is cold waiting for the pool guy to show up!

We welcome comments and hints about closing pools for the winter. Spam comments will be deleted. For more information about seasonal money-saving ideas, click here.

Save