10 Steps Tutorial to Winterize Your Inground Pool

As the long summer days come to a close, it's time to think about how to properly winterize your inground pool. For those in colder climates, closing your pool for winter is essential to protect it from the harsh temperatures and ensure it’s ready for the next swim season. While pools in warmer regions don’t need winterizing, those in colder climates should follow a proper winterizing procedure to ensure the pool’s longevity and ease of opening in spring.

Winterizing your pool may seem like a challenging task, but with the right guidance, the process is straightforward. Follow this guide to close your pool efficiently and ensure it’s well-prepared for the cold months ahead.

1. Remove Pool Ladders, Rails, Pool Cleaner, and Other Accessories

Before you begin the winterization process, it’s crucial to remove all pool accessories. This includes ladders, handrails, pool cleaners, skimmer baskets, and fill spouts. For the ladder, loosen the anchor socket bolt and carefully remove it to ensure your pool cover fits properly. Inspect the ladder for cracks, and make sure all bolts are tight. You can leave most accessories outside, but plastic components should be stored indoors to avoid freezing or cracking.

If you have a robotic pool cleaner or a manual pool cleaner, be sure to thoroughly clean them before storing for the winter. A pool cleaner that has been stored dirty could develop mold or other issues by the time spring comes.

2. Balance Your Pool Water Chemistry Before Winterizing

Properly balancing pool water chemistry before winterizing is crucial to prevent algae growth and other issues over the winter months. A few days before you close the pool, test and adjust the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels. The ideal ranges are:

• pH: 7.4–7.6 ppm
• Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
• Chlorine: 2.0–4.0 ppm

After adjusting, brush your pool thoroughly, then shock the pool to remove any algae or organic materials. This will ensure your winterizing chemicals work effectively and keep your pool in good condition during the colder months. If you have a robotic pool vacuum or automatic pool cleaner, make sure these are used thoroughly to remove any lingering debris that could interfere with the effectiveness of your winter chemicals.

3. Thoroughly Clean the Pool Before Closing

A clean pool is essential for an effective winterizing process. Skim the pool, vacuum, and brush the pool thoroughly to remove all debris, leaves, and organic matter. Any organic material left in the pool will dilute the strength of the winter chemicals, potentially causing issues when you reopen the pool in the spring.

If you use an automatic pool cleaner or robotic pool vacuum, allow them to run a final cleaning cycle before closing the pool. This will ensure that all debris is removed, especially from hard-to-reach areas that are typically overlooked. After the cleaning, perform one final skim to ensure the pool is spotless before covering it for winter.

4. Lower the Water Level to Proper Winterizing Height

When winterizing your pool, it’s important to lower the water level. If you have a safety cover, lower the water level 6-12 inches below the bottom of the tiles. For solid covers, lower the water level just a few inches below the skimmer. Do not lower the water more than 18 inches to avoid straining the cover, which could result in tears or anchors coming loose.

If you are using a skimmer plug, lower the water level 3-4 inches below the skimmer opening, which will prevent water from entering the skimmer.

5. Shut Down System Components to Winterize Pool Equipment

Now it’s time to shut off pool system components. Start by turning off the pilot light and gas supply to the pool heater. Drain all water from the intake and outlet headers and disconnect any pressure switches or siphon loops. Then, turn off the power to the pool pump, heater, and lighting system at the circuit breaker. If your pool has a timer for the pump, remove the timer trippers to avoid accidental operation.

Disconnect power from any other electrical components, such as salt systems or chemical pumps, to ensure they don’t run during the winter months. Be sure to also unplug or remove any automated pool cleaners to prevent them from being inadvertently activated.

6. Use Winterizing Chemicals for Pool Closing

To protect your pool throughout the winter, you’ll need to add a set of winterizing chemicals. We recommend using a chlorine-free pool closing kit, which includes shock, algaecide, and stain and scale preventers. These kits are specially designed to treat the pool during winter.

If you’re not using a kit, be cautious when using chlorine-based shock and wait 5–7 days before adding the winterizing algaecide. Chlorine can interfere with the algaecide, rendering it ineffective. Additionally, consider using non-chlorine shock or oxidizing agents for the best results.

For those with automatic pool cleaners, consider running your pool cleaner for a final cycle after applying the winterizing chemicals to ensure that any debris or remaining chemicals are properly filtered out before the pool is covered.

7. Drain Pool Filter, Pump, and Other Equipment

It’s important to thoroughly drain your pool’s filter and pump to prevent damage. For Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filters, remove the grids and clean them. Inspect for any damage and reassemble the filter media for storage. For cartridge filters, remove and clean the cartridges before reinstalling them.

Be sure to drain all other equipment, including chlorinators and heaters, to avoid water freezing inside. Never add antifreeze to the pump or filter system, as it can damage the seals. Properly draining all equipment will ensure it remains intact through the winter. Also, remember to remove any pool cleaners from the system and store them properly to prevent freezing damage.

8. Blow Out Water Lines to Prevent Freeze Damage

One of the most crucial steps in winterizing is to blow out the water lines. Use an air compressor or high-powered vacuum blower to force air through all the lines connected to the pool equipment. This will help prevent water from freezing inside the pipes, which can lead to cracks. Install pool plugs in the return lines to seal the system and prevent water from flowing back in.

If desired, add non-toxic antifreeze to the lines for added peace of mind and protection against freezing temperatures. Be sure to blow air through the lines connected to your pool cleaner, as these lines can also freeze if not properly cleared.

9. Secure the Pool Cover with Water Bags or Anchors

Once the pool is cleaned, drained, and the chemicals have been added, it’s time to secure the pool cover. If you’re using a solid pool cover, fill water bags to hold the cover in place. Be sure to fill them to 80% capacity to allow for expansion when the water inside freezes. If you prefer a more durable option, consider Aqua Blocks, which are more resistant to wear and tear.

For pools with safety covers, use the hex key tool to raise the anchors and secure the cover in place. Tighten all components securely to ensure the cover stays in place throughout the winter.

10. Properly Cover Your Pool to Protect It for Winter

The final step in winterizing your inground pool is to cover it securely. After performing a final cleaning and checking the pool cover for any tears, spread the cover over the pool. If necessary, patch any rips or tears using poly patches for solid covers or mesh patches for safety covers.

Secure the cover using water bags, safety cover straps, or a cable and winch system, depending on the type of cover you have. Make sure the cover is taut and secure to prevent debris from accumulating and to keep your pool safe during the winter months. Don’t forget to double-check that your pool cleaner and all other accessories are properly stored and ready for next season.

Conclusion: Winterize Your Pool for a Smooth Spring Opening

By following these steps and properly winterizing your inground pool, you’ll protect your pool from freeze damage and ensure it’s ready to use when warmer weather returns. Keep the pool cover clean and secure throughout the winter and perform a final check before opening your pool in the spring.

Remember that safety covers, while effective, are not designed to keep children or pets safe, so it’s important to restrict access to the pool area. Keep an eye on the condition of your cover, and if you have any concerns, replace or repair it before the spring season begins. With proper winterization, your pool cleaner and your entire pool system will be in great shape when it’s time to open again. Check out CHASING for more pool maintaining skills.