Fall is right around the corner, which means it might be time to prep for cold weather. Winterizing a pool for cold weather is necessary for these key reasons:
- To protect the pool from damage due to freezing water
- To keep the pool as clean as possible so re-opening the pool next spring is easier
Six Steps to Winterizing a Pool
- Make sure your pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness are balanced. This protects the surface of the pool from staining and etching
- Lower the water level below the mouth of the skimmer(s). This prevents any water from getting into the throat of the skimmer, which would cause damage if the water were to freeze. If you have a vinyl liner pool, you can simply put a ground skimmer cover like Aquador over the mouth of the skimmer to keep the water out, allowing you to leave the water level up all winter (saving water).
- Blow out all of the water from your plumbing lines using a shop vac. After drying out each line, plug up the lines at the pool end. Threaded plugs are best. If your fittings are not threaded, use a rubber freeze plug.
- To seal the skimmer(s), use a Gizzmo (a hollow tube that protects your skimmer from cracking if water freezes). Put Teflon tape on the thread of the Gizzmo to make a seal. This tape also makes removal much easier in the Spring.
- Cover your pool to keep out debris.
- Drain all water from the filter equipment. Here is a video that walks you through the steps of draining the water from your filter equipment.
What Not to Do When Winterizing a Pool
- Do not use a floater that contains a strong oxidizer (chlorine or bromine) because the floater will stick against the wall and stain or bleach your wall.
- Do not throw chlorine or bromine tablets into the pool. They will sink to the bottom and damage your pool’s surface.
- It is usually impractical to plug the main drain at the bottom of the pool because it is so deep that it is unlikely to freeze.
