How to Use an Ice Equalizer for a Pool

Never neglect your pool during the off season.

After your above ground or in-ground pool puts in its paces for the spring and summer seasons, it must be thoroughly winterized. Proper winterizing procedures include adjusting water levels, removing accessories and exterior pipes and adding a pool cover. Ice equalizers, flotation pillows that help keep pool covers in the right position and absorb ice pressure, also help your pool stay in shape as it hibernates away the winter. Use may vary per each brand of equalizer.

Things You'll Need

• Pool vacuum
• Winterizing chemicals
• Shop vacuum or hand pump
• Duct tape
• Pool cover

Instructions

1. Prepare your pool for winter before using an ice equalizer pillow. Vacuum the pool, adjust its pH range to about 7.2 to 7.6 and add soluble winterizing tablets. Backwash the filter, lower the water level and remove filter hoses and pool accessories before breaking out the ice equalizer.

2. Select an appropriately sized ice equalizer for your pool. Use a 4-foot by 4-foot equalizer for pools with diameters between 12 and 21 feet or a 4-foot by 8-foot equalizer for pools between 24 and 33 feet. Use a 4-foot by 15-foot equalizer for larger pools.

3. Inflate the ice equalizer pillow. Attach a shop vacuum set to blow or use a hand pump depending on the brand of ice equalizer. Fill the pillow to 2/3 capacity; do not fill it all the way.

4. Tape over the equalizer's valve plug with duct tape, creating an "X" shape over the valve with two pieces of tape.

5. Place the ice equalizer directly in the center of the pool with the valve plug facing up.

6. Tie the bands attached to the ice equalizer to the side of the pool, leaving a bit of slack to allow for slight bobbing movement.

7. Secure the pool cover in place over the ice equalizer according to the instructions included with the cover.

Tips & Warnings

• Inflate the equalizer a few days prior to installation to check for leaks.

• Do not allow water to collect on top of the pool cover during the winter season as it may exert unwanted pressure on the equalizer.

• Do not tie soluble winterizing chemical tablets to ice equalizer pillows as the chemicals may not disperse properly this way.

References

• Island Recreational: Winter Survival Guide
• Cryan: Checklist for Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool
• Specialty Pool Products: Pool Closing Instructions

Resources

• Above Ground Pools Experts: Winterizing Your Pool