How to Close Your Pool
The way the Pros do
With our Canadian climate, it's vitally important to ensure that your pool is properly winterized to prevent damage and to make sure you are able to get it up and running quickly when the warmer weather returns.
We've worked hard to create a closing checklist that anyone can follow. If you run into any issues, or have any questions, get in touch with us and we'll get you back on track.
Follow the steps below to close your pool safely and efficiently!
To print this page for your reference, follow these directions.
Bring in a water sample approximately one - two weeks before you plan to close. We will test your water and let you know what you need to do balance the chemicals to last the winter.
Two days prior to the actual close, add your final balancing chemicals (Aqua Trol, etc.). We'll let you know exactly what to add after your pre-close water test. Remove any accessories (stairs, etc).
The day before closing, clean the pool using Aqua Citro-Solve on the bathtub ring. Vacuum the pool thoroughly on waste. Brush the walls of the pool. Remove all floating debris. Cleaning the pool throroghy now will prevent suprises in the spring!
If you use well water or have a saltwater pool, we recommend adding Aqua Cop-Out (well water) or Aqua Sea Quest (salt water). This will protect your liner from mineral fall out or missed leaves staining the liner. Again, we'll let you know how much to use when we do your pre-close water test.
That night, shock your pool, and run the pump all night to get optimal circulation.
The next day (the day you are closing), drain the water level to 1 ½ " to 2" below the return jets. Add a full bottle of algaecide (Aqua Whamo). This is important so no algae can develop over the winter, especially if you've had issues with murky water or algae in the past. Circulate it around the pool using the long handled pool brush.
Above ground pools - Remove the skimmer basket, and store inside for winter. Leave the skimmer hole open. Put a threaded plug in the return jet hole. Make sure the pump is drained of water and disconnect. Put some antifreeze in the pump basket. If possible, bring the pump into a shed, garage, or basement for winter storage.
In ground pools - Follow the above steps for an above ground pool. Blow out the suction and return lines and blow antifreeze through the lines using a ShopVac until you see some antifreeze come out of the return lines. Put rubber expansion plugs into return line openings.
Drain the filter by taking the bottom drain plug out. Store the plug in a safe place for winter.
Put your winter cover on and secure according to the model. Don't use bricks, concrete blocks or anything hard to hold the cover down. Use the proper clips for your cover, and water bags to assist (if needed). Put a couple of inches of water on the winter cover to help hold it down.
That's it! Great job! Now that your pool is put to "bed" for the winter, you can sit back, relax, and dream of summer days!