It is best to close your pool when the temperature of the water is consistently below 60 degrees. Once the water temperature drops below 60 degrees, microorganisms and algae cannot grow and become dormant for the winter season.
Winterizing Your Pool
Thoroughly clean your pool. Scrub your liner, especially at the water line.
Using E-Z chemical kit, with the pump running, disperse E-Z Pool directly into your pool. Run for 30 minutes.
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.
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.
If you have an ionizer, make sure there is no water in the chamber. Use a shop vac to completely remove water, if needed.
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.
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.
Keep your cover clean. Don’t forget about your pool during the winter. Regularly remove water and debris from the cover.
