Guide to Winterizing and Closing Your Above Ground Pool

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Pro Guide to Winterizing an Above Ground Swimming Pool

How to Close Your Above Ground Swimming Pool
Closing and “winterizing” your above ground swimming pool may seem like a challenge, but Doheny’s assures you that it is a task you can handle! Our Pro Guide blog series is here to help simplify the DIY process and turn you into a pool professional, and doing the work yourself could save you $150-$450 depending upon your location! Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast has all of your pool winterizing supply needs and we ship direct to your door, in some cases the very next day! Visit doheny for pool supplies!

What is winterizing a swimming pool?
Winterizing is a crucial step in prolonging the life and quality of your above ground swimming pool. If you live in a region where it snows or freezes, then it’s a must-do. The main purpose of winterizing your above ground swimming pool is to protect pool water from freezing and damaging your equipment. Water freezes and expands, which could cause major issues with your pool’s liner, plumbing and filtration system. It is still important to winterize your pool when it is not in use in warmer climates to prevent massive algae and sediment buildup. Plus, covering your pool helps prevent accidents from occurring. Special steps and precautions are necessary to take since above ground pools differ from in-ground pools.

What types of pools need to be winterized?
Inflatable pools and spas can be drained, folded and stored for the winter. In-ground and above ground pools need to be filled with water and winterized. DO NOT drain these pools completely and leave the pool sitting! Above ground pools with vinyl liners are susceptible to damage when they do not contain water. The vinyl can shrink and you would have to purchase an entirely new pool liner, which can be costly to replace and install. Plus, a pool without water is much lighter and the chance of it being blown over by the wind is much higher.

What supplies do I need to winterize my above ground swimming pool?
1) Pool water chemistry tester
2) Pool rake or leaf skimmer
3) Pool cleaning brush
4) Pool maintenance chemicals (chlorine or bromine)
5) Winter pool cover
6) Cable and ratchet kit (winter pool covers from http://www.Doheny.com come with a kit for free!)
7) Doheny’s Pool Closing Winterizing Chemical Kit
8) Doheny’s skimmer plug
9) Winterizing plugs
10) Non-toxic swimming pool antifreeze
11) Seal Wrap for added protection from wind.
12) Pool cover pump

How do I winterize my above-ground swimming pool?

5 steps before you tackle the swimming pool itself:
1) Check your winter supplies: Take inventory of all swimming pool winterizing chemicals and check that they have been properly stored over the summer. Dispose of any containers that are unsealed, have expired or have been stored in direct sunlight. Keep all chemicals in a dark and secure location away from pets and children. Inspect your winter pool cover for rips and tears. If you don’t have one, then you will need to purchase one. Be sure to order all necessary equipment and pool winterizing chemicals from Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast! Our free shipping gets all of your pool winterizing chemical supplies to you lightning fast!

2) Clean the entire pool area: Sweep the surrounding area to remove all dirt, leaves and branches from the deck or patio. Also, prune all bushes, flowers and overhead trees to eliminate future contamination before covering your swimming pool. You want to prevent debris from entering the pool and causing algae buildup once it is buttoned-down for the winter.

3) Secure the pool area: Check all fencing and gates to protect the pool from unwanted guests and intruders during the winter months. This is especially important if you have small children in the neighborhood. Make sure that there are no sharp objects, cracked tiles or slippery surfaces which may cause injury. Keep a first aid kit and other lifesaving devices nearby in case of an emergency. Be sure to check Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast for more lifesaving devices and pool safety equipment.

4) Inspect your pool equipment: Look for any cracks or leaks in your above ground pool’s vinyl liner and casing. You may be able to patch or repair small cracks in your vinyl liner or swimming pool yourself; however, larger cracks and damage warrant calling a professional. Check your pool filter, pool pump, gauges, fittings, and other items before storing for the winter. Making repairs before the season ends can help prevent further damage from your pool and its equipment. If you need to repair your pool liner, then make sure to try one of Doheny’s vinyl liner repair kits and add years of life to your pool liner.

5) Clean off your winter pool cover after summer storage: Remove all leaves, debris and dirt from the winter pool cover before installation. Use Natural Chemistry Cover Cleaner for hard-to-remove stains on your pool cover. Note that above ground pool covers differ from in-ground pool covers. If you don’t have a winter pool cover, then pick one up at Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast and have it shipped directly to your door!

Now on to your pool:
1) Clean and brush your pool. Use a pool rake or leaf skimmer to remove all leaves and debris from inside of the swimming pool. If you don’t have an automatic pool cleaner, then clean your pool’s floor and walls with a pool cleaning brush or manual above ground pool vacuum before closing to prevent algae growth and discoloration of your liner.

2) Maintain all water chemical levels 24 hours before adding additional winterizing chemical kit. It is important to properly balance all pool chemicals before you start to winterize your pool water. Testing your pool water and maintaining pH and alkalinity levels should be done at least 24 hours before proceeding with the winterizing process.

3) Open your Doheny’s Pool Closing Kit and pour an entire bottle of Doheny’s Algaecide into the pool. Make sure that the product is evenly distributed throughout the water.

4) Pour the entire bottle of Doheny’s Metal Out from the Winterizing Kit into the pool. Make sure that it distributes evenly as well.

5) Wait 15 minutes for the Algaecide and the Metal Out to distribute before sprinkling and emptying the contents of Doheny’s Chlorine Free Oxidizing Shock into the water. Sprinkle the shock treatment around the perimeter of your swimming pool.

6) Run your pool pump for at least one hour after dispersing chemicals. Allowing your pool pump to circulate the pool water will help the effectiveness of the winterizing chemicals after your above ground pool is covered.

7) Make sure that pool water is clean and debris free before covering your pool. The last thing you want is to cover the pool if additional leaves and debris has fallen into your pool. Remember, organic matter is what causes algae formation so keeping dirt and leaves out of the pool will help keep it free of bacteria.

8) Drain your pool water to under your skimmer or 2” below your pool’s return. You want to prevent your skimmer system from getting water inside and cracking over the winter. Using a skimmer plug is extremely beneficial if you do not want to drain your pool water.

9) Disconnect your plumbing hoses and drain your pump, filter and pool heater of all water according to the equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Draining your plumbing and equipment will prevent damage from water from freezing and expanding inside of its components.

10) Cover your pool equipment. Covering your pool equipment will help prolong its lifespan by protecting it from snow, ice and debris. Pool heater and heat pump covers are available at Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast.

11) Assemble the Floating Slow-Dissolving Winter Oxidizing Tablet Dispenser in Doheny’s Winterizing Kit. Punch holes in ALL the dimples located on both sides of the floating dispenser. Slide the foam collar onto the dispenser and place in the pool with the smallest diameter down. This allows water to flow through the perforated dimples. Do NOT throw the winter oxidizing tablet dispenser into the pool.

12) Protect your swimming pool’s skimmer system. Add Skim-Insure to your skimmer system to protect it from freezing and cracking. Check out Doheny’s YouTube video for more information and instructions on how to install Skim-Insure.

13) Uninstall all above ground pool accessories: Remove pool steps, ladders and lighting equipment that were installed for the summer. Safely store them where they won’t get damaged or broken over the winter.

14) Put a heavy duty air pillow in the center of your pool before covering. Pool air pillows help reduce the accumulation of water, snow and ice throughout the winter by raising the pool cover; therefore, less stress is put on the winter cover. Reference Doheny’s YouTube video on how to install a pool pillow.

15) Install your swimming pool’s winter cover. Doheny’s winter covers come with installation instructions as well as a free cable and ratchet kit! Read your pool cover’s instructions for information on how to properly install your cover. Watch Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast’s YouTube video for a visual demonstration on how to install an above ground pool cover. Also reference our supplemental YouTube video on how to use a cable and ratchet kit to secure your above ground pool cover.

16) Secure your above ground pool cover with cover clips. Above ground pool cover clips help your winter cover withstand wind and heavy rainfall. Doheny’s YouTube channel has a video on how to install winter pool cover clips.

17) Wrap your above ground swimming pool with Seal Wrap. This is an ingenious invention! Wrapping your above ground pool secures it for the entire season. This is a perfect product for those with swimming pools in hurricane zones, too. Visit Doheny’s YouTube video on how to wrap your above ground pool.

18) Drain excess water and snow off of your pool cover throughout the winter. It is important to maintain your hard work now that your pool has been winterized and covered. Remove all snow and standing water from the top of your pool cover with a pool cover pump periodically throughout the winter. This will prevent unnecessary pressure and weight on top of your pool cover. Reference Doheny’s YouTube video on how to use a pool cover pump. Handheld cover pumps are also available from Doheny’s Pool Supplies Fast.

Additional Above Ground Swimming Pool Winterizing Tips:
1) Do NOT cover your pool before testing and adjusting your pool water’s chemistry. The last thing that you want is a pool filled with algae when you uncover your pool in the spring.

2) Toss in a Doheny’s Winterball (also known as a winter pill) under your pool cover. These can be used in addition to pool closing kits. Winter pills help your pool water stay clean and cloudless all winter long. Plus, they will not stain your above ground pool’s liner!

3) Do NOT throw loose bromine or chlorine tablets into your pool. They will bleach, stain and potentially ruin your swimming pool liner.

4) If you don’t wrap your pool, then use wall bags over the sides of your above ground pool or on top of your pool cover to weigh it down so that heavy wind does not blow the cover off. Fill the wall bags ¾ full with water and attach to your above ground pool.

5) Visit Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast's Blog for more Pro Guides to Pool Maintenance!