How To Winterize Your Home Swimming Pool

Winterizing your swimming pool protects it from freeze damage, algae growth, and costly repairs when temperatures drop. Proper closing ensures your pool reopens sparkling clean next spring. This guide covers the essential steps for inground and above-ground pools.

Start with a thorough cleaning to remove debris that could stain or feed algae over winter. Skim the surface, brush walls and floor thoroughly, then vacuum bottom to top. Shock the pool with chlorine (1-2 lbs per 10,000 gallons) the night before closing to kill organics. Balance water chemistry: pH 7.2-7.6, alkalinity 80-120 ppm, calcium hardness 200-400 ppm.

Add winterizing chemicals: non-foaming algaecide (16 oz per 10,000 gallons), metal sequestrant, and stabilizer. Run pump 8-24 hours to circulate. Clean or backwash filter completely. For inground pools, lower water 12-18” below skimmer; above-ground, drain to below return jets. Never fully drain—water weight stabilizes structure.

Remove ladders, cleaners, skimmer baskets. Drain pump, filter, heater completely. For inground pools, blow out lines with air compressor (60+ PSI) from pump drain port, watching return jets for air bubbles. Insert expansion plugs in returns, skimmer (use Gizzmo plate), and main drain. Store equipment indoors. Above-ground: disconnect/reverse plumbing, plug returns.

Install winter cover tightly—mesh safety cover for inground (anchored), solid cover for above-ground with air pillow (covers 30-50% surface). Secure cables/corners to prevent wind lift. Use water tubes/winter dam around above-ground walls. Check cover weekly, pump off standing water immediately.

Follow these steps and your pool stays protected through winter. Contact Sunset Pools NJ for professional closing or questions.