In most parts of the country, the inevitable end of summer’s warm weather will arrive. And unless you’re a polar bear, you’ll want to close your pool until the spring. Properly closing above ground pools protects them from debris and harsh winter weather. This helps reduce the time and money needed to open your pool in the spring. You’ll also eliminate additional electrical and chemical costs by closing the pool and avoid possible freeze damage to equipment and plumbing. Follow the steps below for winterizing your above ground pool.
Lou Posted: 9/6/2020
I bought your closing kit and read the directions. When putting winterizing chemicals in shouldn't the pump run for a few hours to circulate the chemicals well before covering AG pool? The directions just say to mix with water and pour in while walking around the pool.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/9/2020
You can run your pump or mix it in using a brush or telescoping pole to agitate the water. I have seen it done both ways. I would read the instructions carefully, as some chemical kits include a product that should not go through the filter media. For sand and DE filters, the multiport valve would be set to recirculate, and for cartridge filters, the cartridges should be removed.Reply
Melissa S Posted: 9/1/2020
I’ve never used a skimmer cover but am considering it this year assuming I can forgo draining the pool by using one. Is this true? Is there anything else I need to do if I use this cover? Typically I drain below the lowest hole (pool return), use a pillow, and cover. Thanks!Reply
BARB Posted: 6/5/2019
CAN I LEAVE THE POOL STAIRS IN THE POOL FOR THE WINTER, OR DO I NEED TO TAKE THEM OUT?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/6/2019
Most step manufacturers advise that you should remove the pool step during winter.Reply
tami Posted: 10/31/2018
I live in Phoenix AZ so I covered my 14'x42" pool last winter and only ran my pump about 8hrs a day. I did add liquid chlorine once a month. I covered my poolin Nov and opened it in March. It was a seemed to work well last year. Is there something else I should be doing?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 10/31/2018
Hello Tami - We would recommend adding winterizing chemicals when closing the pool. Our winterizing kits include Rust and Scale Preventer, Shock, and Winter Algaecide. The liquid chlorine that you added is similar to the shock in our kit. The other two chemicals in our kit are meant to prevent metal stains, scaling, and algae.Reply
Kristy Posted: 10/19/2017
When do I turn my pump to winterize?Reply
Inyopools Posted: 10/13/2017
Jim - The skimmer is the approximately 4"x 6" opening in wall at the top of the pool surface that sucks or "skims" debris off the top of the water and supplies water to the pump and filter. Water is returned back to the pool through jet returns.Reply
Jim Posted: 10/9/2017
So, yes, remove the filter and store it inside. What do you mean by skimmer? Is that the lines that pull the water to the filter or the one that pumps it back into the pool from the filter?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/28/2017
Jodie - You would generally drain the pool to 3-4" below the skimmer and then plug the holes below that. Here is a link to Rubber Expansion Plugs.Reply
Jodie Posted: 9/26/2017
I've read and others have told me to completely remove the pump from the pool and store in garage or other warm environment. Would I drain pool below all the holes in the pool or can you plug those holes with something (can you tell I'm a new pool owner??)Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/17/2017
New - I don't see your reference to 65 degrees. I would guess it is more of an arbitrary point in the season where you probably won't be using your pool anymore and can start closing it down. You can add your winterizing chemicals anytime prior to the pool water freezing.Reply
Gigi Posted: 9/17/2017
I use bungee cords and hang kitty litter containers (full) from the wholes in pool cover as well as clips. Windy area didn't work with deck and cable. No cover lift.Reply
New Posted: 9/14/2017
Why does the directions tell me to wait until water temp is 65 or below to put chemicals in? Water temp is still 70 degrees.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/14/2017
Eeeddd - Thank you for this comment. In my response 3-4 comments below, I'd suggested crisscrossing the top of the pool with ropes to keep the cover from parachuting, but this is a good answer too.Reply
Eeeddd Posted: 9/9/2017
Always make sure there is some water on your pool cover then the weight of the water holds tbe cover keeping it from acting like a parachute.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/7/2017
JSinNY - I'd recommend buying 2 or even 3 4x4 pillows. That way if one fails, you still have 1 or 2 to hold up the middle of the cover.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/6/2017
ldw - Your pool holds 7,000 to 8,000 gallons of water. There should be instruction on the container to tell you how much algaecide to add for your size pool. They may vary by brand of algaecide.Reply
JSinNY Posted: 9/4/2017
I have to buy a new air pillow before closing my pool. Last year's pillow went flat last winter. Always used a 4'x4' but I was wondering if I can/should use a bigger one under the cover? My AG pool is 15x30'. My neighbor had a new 4.5'x15' pillow that he gave me but I think that would be too big for my pool?Reply
ldw Posted: 9/4/2017
How many ounces of algaecide need to be added to an 18' round pool before closing? Thanks.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/3/2017
Anonymous (cover blowing) - Try tying 2 or 3 ropes crisscross across the top of the pool cover. Secure to stakes at the base of the pool.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 8/30/2017
How do you keep the cover from blowing up like a parachute? I am scared it is yanking on the sides way to much.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/15/2017
NewToThis - Lower the water level to just below the skimmer and plug the return port. Remember to drain the tubes to and from the pump.Reply
NewToThis Posted: 8/12/2017
FOr a 21' Wilbar REprieve (above ground),for winterizing should we lower the water level below the skimmer and below the return, or just below the skimmer and use a plug For the return? What do you recommend?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/20/2016
New owner - We generally recommend lowering the surface of the water below the skimmer so you shouldn't have that problem.Reply
New owner Posted: 10/19/2016
Do you some how cover the inlet to the skimmer so the winter cover does not force water out of the pool?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/1/2016
closing pool - Yes, for hard freezes, you should drain your pool below your light to prevent it from cracking. See recent comment on light cracking.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 9/28/2016
Drain below the light. I made that mistake once and the pressure of the ice cracked the light and the housing.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 9/28/2016
I live on Ontario and I am closing my above ground pool for the winter. My question is when draining the water I know you are supposed to drain it 2" below the pool return, however when I do that my light that is installed is still under water ? Will this crack the light? Should I drain the water below the light?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/20/2016
lost - You probably have to get the organic debris off the bottom before you will be able to have clear water. Use a wet vac or invest in an above ground suction cleaner. Make sure your chemicals are balanced. Then shock your pool to a chlorine level of 15 ppm with liquid chlorine. Brush down sides daily for a week. Re-shock if required. This may take a week to clear up.Reply
lost Posted: 9/18/2016
I have not been able to get my pool crystal clear all summer. Its' been swimmable but the water is no pea soup green. I can shock it and add algaecide but it wont' get crystal clear. My kids say they can feel grit at the bottom of the pool I had some pool guys open the pool this year and they let ALL of the crap that was on top of the pool fall into the pool It's been a nightmare every since. I said I was going to change the lining and everything next year because I just can't get it crystal clear this year. What should I do?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/13/2016
neg - If you have an above ground pool, you do not have to add antifreeze to your pools, but some people add it as a back up in case water gets back in the piping. Make sure the water in the tubes between the pool, pump and filter is blown out. You should also add a gizzmo to your skimmer to keep the freezing water from cracking your skimmer. And I would take the solar cover off of the pool during the winter. It is not as durable as the winter cover.Reply
neg Posted: 9/10/2016
Do you recommend using anti-freeze? I never used it before. Also, can I leave my solar cover on and put the winter cover over it? Last year I used a mesh cover which was a much heavier cover than the typical cover except I had a bunch of leaves on one side of the pool.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 11/2/2015
Gizzmo - Yes. Gizzmos come in two sizes, 9" and 16". The 9" Gizzmo is recommended for the AG pools.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 11/1/2015
Have you ever heard of putting a Gizmo in the skimmer box of an above ground pool?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/12/2015
Terri - The old fashion way to drain a body of water is through gravity. Fill a garden hose with water. Block the ends of the hose to keep water from draining out. Then place one end in the pool and the other end outside the pool on a downward slope. Gravity on the water in the hose will pull water out of the pool.Reply
Terri Posted: 10/9/2015
My local pool company says to drain 4-6" below the skimmer. Is a pump the best way to do this? Just wondering if there is a super-secret that I can't find on google. I don't really want to buy another pump, but will do so if that is the only option.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/14/2015
tinner2002 - I would not recommend draining your AG pool completely. The water provides the pressure needed to keep the wall from collapsing. If you have any kind of wind at all, it can blow the wall in and crease it beyond repair.Reply
tinner2002 Posted: 9/14/2015
I live in Las Vegas where we only see temperatures as low as 28 degrees a few days in the winter. most days the low is 35 or above. I was planning on draining completely and just putting on the cover that I just ordered from you. I CAN do that, right? (21 foot x4 foot deep round splash pool).Reply