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It is getting cooler outside and our summertime fun is becoming a distant memory. All pool owners will need to take a few steps to ensure that pool equipment survives the winter without damage. Warmer winter climate regions may simply need to change their filtration times from twelve to six hours whereas much cooler winter climate regions need to take more drastic measures when preparing their pool for the winter. When water freezes it expands ten percent of it's volume which can have costly affects on pipes, pumps, and other expensive equipment if winterizing a pool is not done properly and with care. Your pool service company may offer to provide this service for a few hundred dollars plus materials which could offer you a piece of mind. However, if you are trying to pinch pennies and/or have that extra DIY bone in your body, then follow these few simple steps to winterizing your pool properly.

5 Steps to
Winterize Your Pool

Step 1- Clean out the pool

Use your pool vacuum, or skim the pool with a leaf skimmer net to clear items on the bottom of the pool and floating on top. Empty out all skimmer and pump baskets as well. Use a tile cleaner to clear the scum away. Don't allow these things to set all winter.

Step 2- Balance Water Chemistry

Use a water test kit to test the levels of pH, total alkalinity, calcium (hardness), and chlorination. Adjust levels to normal according to results. Once balanced, purchase a winter chemical kit which will download your pool with high levels of chlorine and algaecide to prepare it for the winter months.

If you still have chlorine or bromine tablets in your feeder, then let them run out before doing anything else as they will damage equipment if they remain through the winter. When adding winterizing chemicals, turn on your pool filtration to avoid stains on your liner, or damage to your equipment from high levels of setting concentrated chemicals in your pool.

Step 3- Avoid Freeze Damage

Drain pool water past the skimmer mouth. Leave the remanding water as some pools need the pressure of the water to keep the pool in tact. The pressure of the water in the soil freezing underneath the pool can cause damage as well.

Drain all water from your pump and filter. You may need to tip them upside down to make sure all the water is dumped out. Remove any drain plugs which can trap water inside. Once everything seems free of water, turn on the system for just a few seconds to spit out any remanding water within the impeller.

Drain heaters and use a compressor or shop vac to remove any remanding water. Remove any drain plugs and store away. The Air Supply Cyclone Liner Vac is also a great tool to remove water from your plumbing lines.

Remove all skimmer and pump baskets as well as the return jet fittings. Place fittings inside baskets for storage. Remove any ladders and diving boards (add the bolts for these in the baskets).

Next you need to blow out drains to avoid cracking from freezing water. Hook up a compressor or the Cyclone Vac to the return lines, or screw into pump's drain plug, and blow out water until you see air bubbles from the return jets. Use a rubber plug to plug the fitting below the water line, and any other exposed pipes.

If you have a main drain line, blow that out as well. When you see bubbles you only have plug your end to create an air lock in the line, or close the gate valve. Don't worry about diving to plug the pool side end of the line.

Step 4- Clean Filter

If you have a sand filter, then clean it by simply backwashing. For D.E. filters, drain water and leave the backwash valve open. Spray the Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids with Filter Cleaner, leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with a garden hose. DON'T acid wash the D.E. filters for winterizing. Rinsing the filter of the acid isn't enough and will eat away at the filter components all winter.

For all filter types open the air relief valve on top of the filter and open the drain at the bottom of the filter to release the water. Blow excess water out then move the multi-port valve to the closed position. Remove the pressure gauge and store away.

Step 5- Winter Cover

Above Ground Pools: Before covering your pool, get a winter cover install kit to cover your pool with ease. Screw in the skimmer guard to protect your skimmer elements from the freeze. The cover clips will hold your cover in place. Fill the air pillow only half way with water, and place it in the center of the pool under the cover. It absorbs freezing water as it expands which takes the pressure off the walls, and makes it easier to remove the cover in the spring. To extend the life of your cover and keep your cover from blowing off from wind whip, use the roll of winter cover seal over-top of your cover. The kit also includes one plug with an o-ring to screw into a return line. You may need more plugs depending on the size of your pool. Lastly, the kit comes with a siphon to easily drain your pool cover in the spring with no electric required.

Pool covers: Pool covers are the most important element to this process both for the pool and to ensure the safety of the people and pets around it. It is meant to hold up to rain, snow, and ice, but if there are multiple tears then you may need to replace the cover completely. For in-ground pools, solid or mesh safety covers provide the highest level of protection and safety. Above ground pools will do fine with either a solid or a mesh above ground winter cover.

You can find more information about how to choose the best pool cover here.