Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool

For most of you in the United States and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere now is a good time to start thinking about winterizing your pool.

And for those of you in warmer or temperate climates this information may still benefit you. Here are some basic tips to help you get started.

Before you shut off and drain your pool for the winter, you'll first need to clean and service the pool. Make sure your water chemistry is balanced too.

It's unlikely that algae will be a big problem if you drain your pool. However, you don't need to risk an algae bloom while you're shutting down your pool for the winter. So go ahead and service the pool as you normally do before drainage. Also, consider adding more chlorination than normal or an algicide.

Also, remember that your water won't be circulating during the winter so don't leave chlorine tabs in the water once you shut the pool down.

Next you'll want to shut off the pump, any electrical sources, and gas for the heater if applicable. From there, you'll drain the pool. You don't have to completely drain the pool but it's recommended that you drain at least below the outlet and skimmer level.

Also, make sure you drain all lines and the plug them up for the winter. Don't leave water in your tubes or pipes for the winter. This protects your above ground pools equipment from freeze damage. So make sure you drain your equipment completely.

Once the above tasks are done, seriously consider covering your above ground pool. This will keep your pool clean and help prevent algae. Sheet vinyl is a good cover for the money. And to be on the safe side you may want to lock gates or fences that lead to your pool or deck.

I've simply covered the basics here. But, by using the above information to winterize your pool you'll make the job of re-opening of your above ground pool in the spring much easier.

Enjoy your pool!

Regards,

Paul Ottaviano
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