If you live in the northern part of the United States or anywhere in Canada and have a pool, listen up. Although it may be a sad day, sometime in the fall you will have to close that pool. I know, it’s a terrible thing, gone are the perfect hot days for sunbathing and splashing in the pool, but a little thought now will make it easier to get it back up and running in late spring. . And hey, winter won’t last forever!
If you have a temporary pool, simply drain it, thoroughly clean the liner so it’s dry before repackaging it and waiting it out for the winter. Throw away the old filter, make sure all the water is out of the pipe and you’re good to go.
However, if you have a permanent pool, either in-ground or above-ground, you’ll need to do a little more winterizing. Start by cleaning the sides of the pool and vacuuming up any dirt and debris from the bottom. This will make the pool clean before you start closing it. Next, it’s time to lower the water. Ideally, the water level should end below the skimmer inlet hole, as you don’t want the leftover water to freeze around something important to keeping the pool running for the next year.
Make sure all hoses and pipes are free of water and it’s a good idea to store them in a bag or box that can hold all the little clips and pipes together, so nothing gets lost over the winter. Some people keep the little things in the filter itself, just make sure all the water is out and the inside is completely dry before you put anything inside.
When it comes time to put the cover on, make sure it’s securely fastened to the pool, and it’s a good idea to put a little water on top to keep it down. We all know that the wind can be very unpredictable in the fall. The more care you put into putting your pool in bed for winter, the easier it will be to find all the necessary parts next spring and put it back together so you can get back to enjoying splashing and swimming in the summer sun.
