Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool

When Should I Winterize My Pool?

Wait until temperatures are consistently below 60 degrees. If we have a warm day after you’ve winterized, you may want to vent your cover to allow heat to escape. If it gets too warm, resin parts may warp and the heat can cause premature wear and tear to the pool.

Winterizing Your Pool

  1. Thoroughly clean your pool. Scrub your liner, especially at the water line.
  2. Using a winterizing chemical kit, or individual chemicals, get your water ready for winter. Check and adjust your alkalinity first. The ideal level is between 100-150 ppm. Higher is better for the winter. Adjust your pH to 7.4-7.6. Adjust the calcium hardness to 175-225 ppm. Shock your pool one last time with a non-chlorine shock. If you use regular shock, be sure to use it the night before you close the pool. The last thing you’ll add is algaecide. Be sure to follow the instructions on any chemicals you use, including wait times.
  3. Drain the water until it’s below the skimmer and return. Do NOT drain the pool completely. Tip on draining the pool: attach the vacuum hose to the return and the water will drain out away from the pool.
  4. Disconnect and drain all your hoses and allow them to dry out before storing them. Remove all plugs for the drain points and pump housings. You may choose to store these plugs in your pump’s strainer pot. The pump can be stored indoors for best protection, but it’s not necessary.
  5. If you have an ionizer, make sure there is no water in the chamber. Use a shop vac to completely remove water, if needed.
  6. Set your filter to “winterize” if leaving your filter outside for the winter. Don’t forget to clean and put away any accessories, such as your ladder. Do not leave these in the pool all winter. If you have wedding cake steps, this is a great time to give them a thorough cleaning. For best results, leave these out of the water for the winter.
  7. Place a pool float or a pool pillow in the center of your pool and cover the pool, following the directions that came with your particular winter cover. The height of the pool pillow in the center will allow water to drain to the sides, making it easier to siphon it off after rains.
  8. Keep your cover clean. Don’t forget about your pool during the winter. Regularly remove water and debris from the cover.