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Follow the guidelines below to close your own swimming pool this winter! Remove ladders and accessories. Balance your water chemistry. Clean the pool. Lower the water level. Turn off the system components. Add your winter closing kit chemicals. Drain water from pump and filter. Blow out the water lines.
How far down do you drain your pool for winter?
Drain the water down to no more than 6 inches from the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a standard floating winter cover. Use your pool filter, switched to the “Drain” setting, to empty the pool water. Attach a pool hose to the end of the filter opening that leads to your yard’s drain to avoid flooding.
How much should I drain my above ground pool for winter?
Adjust Water Levels In most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.
Is it OK to drain inground pool for winter?
It’s not good to leave your pool empty when the weather gets cold. You may naturally assume it’s best to completely drain your pool of water for the winter months, because you fear the water will freeze and cause damage. Actually, it’s not good to leave your pool empty when the weather gets cold.
How do you close a pool for the season?
How to Close Your Above Ground Pool in 10 Steps Step 1: Deep Clean. Step 2: Balance your Water. Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals. Step 4: Add Pump Protector. Step 5: Protect Your Return and Skimmer. Step 6: Prepare Your Filter for Hibernation. Step 7: Clear the Pool. Step 8: Set Up Ice Equalizer Pillow.
How do you winterize an inground pool without water?
How to Winterize a Pool Without Lowering the Water Skim and vacuum the sides and bottom of the pool to remove dead leaves and other debris. Maintain proper pool chemical levels throughout the winter. Cover the pool if it will be used infrequently over the winter months.
What chemicals do you use to close a pool for the winter?
What chemicals do I need to close my pool? Chlorine. Pool Shock. Soda Ash. Baking Soda. Muriatic Acid. Winter Algaecide. Pool Antifreeze. Stain and Scale Prevention.
Can you leave an above-ground pool up during winter?
If you have a vinyl-lined above-ground pool, leaving it full for the winter will protect the vinyl liner from shrinkage and other damage. Since these pools are above ground level, keeping them full ensures that the wind will not damage the walls, liner, or frame.
Do I need to lower the water level in my above-ground pool for winter?
When winterizing your above ground pool, lower the water level around 4″ to 6″ below the skimmer. You can do this with a submersible pump or by siphoning the water out with a short garden hose.
Does an above-ground pool freeze solid?
Above ground pools can freeze solid, especially in negative degree temperatures. Above ground pools will freeze solid from side to side within a few days in temperatures below zero degrees. However, very rarely will a pool freeze all the way to the bottom.
When should I run my pool pump in the winter?
Even if you have your pool covered, some debris may still get in it during the winter. For this reason, you should consider running your pump on occasion whenever the outdoor temperature is between 35 and 65 degrees. Around four to six hours should be sufficient to remove debris and help promote good circulation.
Do you have to drain pool below skimmer for winter?
Do you need to drain any water when winterizing an above ground pool? The answer hinges on how you protect your skimmer during the winter. If you’re concerned about freezing and cracking, and don’t use a winter skimmer cover plate, then you should drain the water level below the skimmer and returns.
How long can an inground pool stay empty?
If ground water is not a problem a pool can be left empty for weeks or even months as long the hydrostatic relief in the bottom of the pool is open and functioning. If the time frame of the pool being empty gets into freezing weather there is real risk of freeze-thaw damage to surface of the pool.
Should I close my pool for winter?
In most cases, pool owners use fewer chemicals during the winter than spring and summer. The cooler temperatures preserve the chemicals in your water. That means you are losing less chlorine and water through evaporation. For some, this may be the only reason they need to close their pool for winter.
Do I need to add chlorine to my pool in the winter?
During the winter months, the amount of chlorine needed from your salt cell to keep the pool clean is reduced. This is due to the fact that it is difficult for bacteria to grow in cold temperatures.
What is in a pool closing kit?
This kit comes with high-quality winter stain-away, winterized algaecide, and pool shock, as well as a time-release pool floater, which allows you to keep your pool clean all winter.
How many bags of shock does it take to close a pool?
For use, consult the directions listed on the packaging of the shock you buy. Typically, a 1-pound bag is enough for 10,000 gallons of water. Mix the product with some pool water in a large bucket. Then, as the filter is running, pour the mixture into the pool.
Should I shock pool before closing?
Shocking kills any bacteria that might linger in your pool during the winter. We recommend shocking a few days before you close the pool. If that is not possible, make sure to shock the pool the night before you close it for winter.
Are pool winterizing chemicals necessary?
You do not need a pool winterizing kit. You really only need one chemical (algaecide) to properly winterize a swimming pool. You need some other stuff to protect your pool from harsh winter conditions, but only one chemical to add when closing.
