How to Close a Swimming Pool

When the nights start turning chilly and the days get shorter, you know summer is coming to an end. One depressing fall chore you don't want to put off too long is closing down your pool. The good news is a properly closed pool will quickly be ready to go next spring once the warm weather comes back.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plumbing antifreeze
• Pool brush
• Frost-protectant tubing
• Clear plastic bag
• Pool vacuum
• Shop vacuum
• Empty pop bottles
• Pool water chemistry kit
• Algaecide
• Teflon tape
• Wet towel
• Styrofoam pieces

1. Remove all ladders, ropes, and the diving board. Clean them up and put them away for the winter.

2. Balance your water chemistry (pH, chlorine and water hardness).

3. Brush down and clean the sides of the pool, then vacuum it.

4. Turn off the pool heater.

5. Shock the pool water and add an algaecide to be sure the water will be nice and clear next spring.

6. Lower the pool water level down below the returns and blow out all the lines with a shop vacuum (set to blow out rather than vacuum), then close off the return openings with screw-in stoppers.

7. Add plumbing antifreeze to your skimmer and insert frost-protecting tubing into the lines.

8. Drain and clean your pump and filter. Adding some plumbing antifreeze to your pump is also a good precaution.

9. Fill and arrange the water bags around the perimeter of the pool.

10. Spread the winter cover over the pool and secure it with the water bags. Don't forget to cover the skimmer opening as well, since rainwater could get in and freeze over the winter.

11. Clean all your pool equipment (such as the skimmer basket and weir) and put them away where you will be able to find them next spring.

Tips & Warnings

• If you put a wet towel around the vacuum hose connection in the skimmer, you can give your pool a final vacuuming while you are lowering the water level.
• Protect your pool's vinyl liner from ice damage by floating some large pieces of Styrofoam in the water before you cover the pool
• Putting some empty plastic pop bottles (with their tops back on) into the skimmer housing will help protect it from ice damage.
• Use Teflon tape on the threads of the stoppers in the returns. This will prevent any water seeping into the lines.
• After cleaning all your pool equipment, put it away in a clear plastic bag. This way when next spring rolls around, you will be able to find it easily.
• Don't put off closing your pool too long into the fall. Closing the pool is never a fun job, but it's a lot worse when it is cold outside.