How to Winterize Above Ground Pools With a Bottom Drain
Above ground swimming pools provide hours of entertainment and relaxation during the warmer months of the year. Once winter arrives, however, the pool needs to be closed up. Winterizing a pool is done to protect the pool from damage during winter freezes as well as keep it relatively clean to make opening it in the spring easier. Winterizing an above ground pool is similar to winterizing an in-ground pool, but with fewer steps. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Pool cover
- Air pillow
- String
- Skimmer plug
- Pool chemicals
- Pool water testing kit
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn the dial on the pool filter to "Backwash" and then turn the filter on. Allow the water to run through the filter for several minutes to clean out all the dirt and debris. If the pool uses a sand filter, unplug the filter plug and leave it out for the winter.
-
2
Use an air compressor to blow out any water that remains in the multiport valve of the air filter.
-
-
3
Place the skimmer plug securely into the skimmer and place the return cover over the water return opening.
-
4
Disconnect the pool pump and filter and remove the pump from the ground.
-
5
Turn the pool pump upside down to remove any water that is inside of it. Remove the pump drain plug and the place the pump back into the ground.
-
6
Fill the air pillow with air and tie two strings to the loops on either side of the pillow.
-
7
Tie one string to the edge of the pool wall. Position the air pillow in the center of the pool and tie the remaining string to the other side of the pool wall.
-
8
Remove the pool ladder, slide and other extra equipment and place them in storage.
-
9
Add standard pool chemicals to raise the water's pH, alkalinity and chlorine levels. The pool's pH must be raised to between 7.2 and 7.6. The pool's alkalinity must be raised to between 100 and 150 parts per million. The pool's chlorine level must be raised to over 3.0. Use a pool water testing kit, available at home improvement stores, to determine when the proper chemical levels have been achieved.
-
10
Place the pool cover over the pool and secure it to the edges of the pool per the manufacturer's instructions. Pull the pool cover tight so that it rests on the air pillow, but does not dip into the pool water.
-
1
