As the vibrant colors of summer begin to fade and a crispness fills the air, your thoughts might turn from swimming to safeguarding your backyard oasis. Properly preparing your pool for the cold months is one of the most important tasks a pool owner can do. It’s the key to preventing costly damage from freezing water and ensuring a smooth, clean opening when the warm weather returns. If you’ve been wondering How to Winterize an Above Ground Pool: Here’s the Complete Answer, you’ve come to the right place.
Neglecting this crucial process can lead to cracked pipes, a torn liner, and a filtration system that fails you next spring. The good news is that winterizing an above ground pool is a very manageable DIY project. With a little time, the right supplies, and a systematic approach, you can tuck your pool in for a long winter’s nap with confidence, knowing it will be protected from the elements.
Gathering Your Winterization Toolkit
Before you begin, it’s best to have all your supplies ready to go. This makes the process flow smoothly and ensures you don’t have to stop halfway through. You’ll need a water testing kit, winterizing chemical kit (or the individual chemicals), a skimmer cover plate, air pillows, a quality winter cover, and cover accessories like water tubes or a cable and winch. A good pool brush, vacuum, and leaf net are also essential for the initial clean-up. Having everything on hand turns a potentially stressful job into a simple, step-by-step routine.
Step One: A Spotless Send-Off
You never want to close a dirty pool. All the leaves, debris, and algae that are present at closing will be a much bigger, more stubborn problem in the spring. Start by thoroughly brushing the walls and floor of the pool to loosen any dirt. Then, vacuum the pool to waste if possible, which removes the debris from the pool entirely instead of sending it through the filter. Give the water one final shock treatment with chlorine to eliminate any lingering bacteria or algae spores. This clean slate is the foundation for a healthy winter and an easy opening.
Balancing and Adding Winter Chemicals
Once the water is sparkling clean, test and balance it. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6, and the alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm. Balanced water helps the winterizing chemicals work effectively and protects your liner and equipment from scale or corrosion. After balancing, add your winterizing chemicals. A winterizing kit is convenient, but at a minimum, you’ll need a shock treatment and a slow-dissolving winterizing algaecide. Pour these chemicals into the pool with the pump running and allow it to circulate for several hours to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the water.
How to Winterize an Above Ground Pool: Here’s the Complete Answer for Your Equipment
This is the most critical phase for preventing freeze damage. Begin by lowering the water level below the skimmer opening, typically about 4 to 6 inches below. Next, it’s time to blow out the plumbing and add antifreeze. Using a shop vac or a specialized air blower, force air through the skimmer and return lines until you see no more water bubbling out into the pool. Immediately after blowing out a line, plug it securely. For the skimmer, remove the basket and install a winterizing plate or a Gizzmo (a freeze plug), which protects the skimmer body itself.
Drain all the water from your pump, filter, and heater. Open the drain plugs on each piece of equipment and leave them out for the winter. It’s also a good idea to lightly lubricate the o-rings on your pump and filter lids to keep them from drying out and cracking. Store your cleaned filter cartridge, pump, and hoses in a dry, protected place like a garage or shed.
Installing the Air Pillow and Winter Cover
The air pillow serves an important purpose: it absorbs the pressure from expanding ice and snow, preventing it from damaging your pool walls. Inflate the pillow and place it in the center of the pool, loosely tying it to the pool cover or using the attached strings to secure it to the pool deck. Now, you’re ready for the cover. Carefully unfold it over the pool, ensuring it is centered. The cover should be snug but not drum-tight. Secure it using a winter cover seal, water tubes, or a cable and winch system. Water tubes are often preferred for above ground pools as they provide a excellent seal against wind and debris.
Your Off-Season Checklist
Your job isn’t completely done once the cover is on. Throughout the winter, periodically check on your pool. After heavy rain or snow, use a cover pump or a siphon hose to remove excess water from the top of the cover. A sagging cover weighed down by water can become a safety hazard and put stress on your pool walls. Also, quickly remove any large branches or debris that may accumulate on the cover. This simple maintenance will keep everything in good condition until you’re ready to reopen.
By following these steps, you can rest easy all winter long. You’ve not only protected your significant investment from the harsh elements but have also gifted your future self a much easier and less expensive start to the next swimming season. A little effort in the fall guarantees you’ll be able to dive back into fun when summer rolls around again.