How to Properly Winterize Your Pool and Avoid Costly Damage

When the colder months roll in, your pool needs extra care to stay in top shape. Failing to prepare it for winter can lead to costly damage, from cracked pipes to algae growth that’s tough to clean. Winterizing your pool isn’t just about avoiding repairs, it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring an easy start when the swimming season returns.

You don’t have to be a pool expert to handle this. With the right steps, you can keep your pool safe from freezing temperatures and debris. Whether you’re a first-time pool owner or looking to improve your routine, understanding proper winterization will save you time, money, and stress.

Importance of Winterizing Your Pool

Winterizing isn’t just a seasonal chore, it’s essential protection for your pool. Freezing temperatures can cause water to expand, leading to cracks in pipes, pumps, and other equipment. By closing your pool properly, you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your system.

Unmaintained water during winter becomes a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. Balancing and treating the water before closing keeps it healthier and makes reopening far less work.

A well-fitted pool cover adds another layer of defense by blocking out debris and reducing exposure to sunlight, which helps preserve water quality. Together, these steps keep your pool protected, clean, and ready for use when warmer weather returns.

Preparing Your Pool for Winterization

A smooth reopening in spring starts with careful preparation in fall. The process involves four key steps: cleaning, balancing the water, lowering the water level, and draining equipment.

Cleaning and Balancing the Water

Start by skimming away leaves, vacuuming the floor, and brushing pool walls to remove dirt and algae. Test your water and adjust levels to the recommended range:

• Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
• Calcium hardness: 200–400 ppm
• pH: 7.2–7.6
• Chlorine: 2–4 ppm

Finish with a pool shock treatment to eliminate bacteria and leave the water sanitized before closing.

Lowering the Water Level and Blowing Lines

Bring the water level down below pool return height, or follow the guidelines for your specific pool type. Next blow all the lines and close them with winter plugs. This precaution helps prevent freezing water from backing up and damaging plumbing or surfaces.

Draining Pool Equipment

Empty pumps, filters, heaters, and plumbing lines to avoid freeze-related cracks. Remove and clean accessories like ladders, skimmer baskets, and return fittings, then store them in a dry place. Finally, shut off the power to your pool equipment and remove any fuses or breakers for added safety.

Protecting Pool Components During Winter

Taking the right steps to protect your pool’s parts helps prevent freeze damage and makes spring reopening much easier.

Covering Your Pool

Choose a sturdy winter cover that fits tightly to block debris and minimize ice damage. Placing an air pillow beneath the cover reduces pressure from expanding ice and prevents water from pooling on the surface.

Adding Winterizing Chemicals

After balancing your pool’s water, add specialized winterizing chemicals to discourage algae and bacterial growth. Enzyme treatments can also help keep the water clearer, reducing cleanup when it’s time to reopen.

Protecting Plumbing and Accessories

Blow out water from plumbing lines and add pool-safe antifreeze for extra protection against freezing. Disconnect pumps, filters, and hoses, then store them in a dry location. Periodically check your cover, fencing, and stored equipment throughout the season to ensure everything remains secure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even small oversights during winterization can lead to big problems later. Keep these mistakes in mind:

• Skipping the process entirely exposes your pool to freeze damage, cracked liners, and broken equipment.
• Leaving water in the plumbing allows ice to form, which can burst pipes. Always blow out lines and use antifreeze if needed.
• Neglecting water chemistry can result in scaling, staining, or corrosion. Balance pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine before closing.
• Improperly securing the pool cover may cause wind damage or trapped moisture. Make sure it’s fitted tightly and free of excess debris.
• Over-inflating air pillows reduces their ability to absorb pressure. Inflate them only halfway for the best results.

Benefits of Proper Winterization

Closing your pool the right way pays off in more ways than one. Winterization protects surfaces, plumbing, and equipment from freeze damage, sparing you from costly repairs in spring.

By treating and balancing the water before closing, you reduce the risk of algae blooms and bacterial growth, keeping the water cleaner during the off-season. Proper chemistry also prevents rust, scaling, and staining, which helps maintain your pool’s structure and finish.

A securely fitted cover shields the pool from debris and limits sunlight exposure, meaning less cleanup and better water quality when it’s time to reopen. Altogether, these steps make spring startup faster, save money on maintenance, and extend the overall lifespan of your pool.

Keep Your Pool Protected All Winter Long

A pool is more than just a backyard feature, it’s part of your lifestyle. Protecting it through the colder months ensures it stays beautiful, functional, and ready for use when warm weather returns. Proper winterization – cleaning, balancing water chemistry, lowering levels, draining equipment, and covering securely – helps prevent freeze damage, algae growth, and costly spring repairs.

At People for Pools, we specialize in keeping pools in top condition year-round. From expert winterization to full-service maintenance, our team brings the experience and care needed to safeguard your investment.

Schedule your pool closing appointment before it's too late.