If you live in the northern part of the United States or anywhere in Canada and have a swimming pool, listen to this. Although it can be a sad day, sometime in the fall you will have to close that pool. I know, it’s a terrible thing, the hot days perfect for sunbathing and splashing in the pool are over, but giving it a little thought now will make it easier to get it back up and running in late spring. . And hey, winter won’t last forever!
If you have a temporary pool, just drain it, clean the liner thoroughly so it’s dry before repacking it and waiting for the winter. Throw away the old filter, make sure all the water is out of the pipe, and you’re good to go.
However, if you have a permanent pool, either in-ground or above-ground, you will need to do a little more in winterizing. Start by cleaning the sides of the pool and vacuuming up dirt and debris from the bottom. This will make the pool clean before you start closing it. Next, it is time to turn the water down. Ideally, the water level should end below the skimmer inlet hole, as you don’t want any excess water to freeze around anything important to keep the pool running for the next year or so.
Make sure all hoses and pipes are free of water and it is a good idea to keep them in a bag or box that can hold all the little clips and pipes together, so nothing is lost during the winter. Some people keep the little things in the filter, just make sure all the water is outside and the inside has completely dried before storing anything inside.
When it’s time for the cover, make sure it’s properly positioned in the pool, and it’s a good idea to put some water on top to keep it low. We all know that the wind can be very unpredictable in the fall. The more careful you put the pool in bed for the winter, the easier it will be next spring to find all the necessary parts and put it back together so you can once again enjoy splashing and swimming in the hot summer sun.