Pool Closing Instructions For Above Ground Pools - Step-by-step Guide

Ensuring that your above ground swimming pool is properly prepared for the winter season will allow you to protect your investment by preventing damage caused by freezing water and harsh weather. Taking the right steps to close your above ground pool will also save you significant time and effort when opening your pool next season, as your pool will be kept cleaner and in better shape. By following a few straightforward steps and by making use of handy pool closing accessories, you can properly prepare your above ground swimming pool for winter and ensure that you will be able to use and enjoy it for many years to come.

The first step to take when closing your above ground swimming pool at the end of the season is to check for water leakage. While this requirement comes as a surprise to many above ground pool owners, it's extremely important. Even a small leak in your pool or liner can have devastating effects, as the water will slowly but continuously drain out of the pool until there is not enough water to support the ice that has formed. When the weather becomes slightly warmer, this ice crashes down to the bottom of your swimming pool, causing your pool walls to become crimped, or even destroyed completely.

Fortunately, it only takes a simple test to check for water leakage and to avoid such potential disaster. First of all, mark the water level of your pool with a marker. Secondly, fill a pan with at least two inches of water and place it next to the swimming pool, also marking the water level of the pan with a marker. After your pool has been off and untouched for least 24 hours, compare the water level of the pool with that of the pan. If the water levels are the same, your pool does not have a water leakage problem and you can move on to the next step involved in winterizing your swimming pool.

If you live in a cold climate, this next step involves the use of swimming pool closing accessories for above ground pools to protect your skimmer from damage caused by the expansion of freezing water. For example, skimmer closures are easy-to-install lids which seal pool skimmers and protect them from cracks and other damage during cold, harsh weather. Skimmer closures also remove the necessity of draining your pool below the skimmer opening. After disconnecting the hose beneath your skimmer and draining out any rainwater, seal the return fitting with a rubber compression plug, which will provide an effective, watertight seal. As an alternative to skimmer closures, pool owners can use a skimmer guard, a simple device that absorbs ice expansion by collapsing itself.

The next step to take to prepare your above ground pool for winter is to balance the pool's water chemistry and prepare it for months of inactivity. The best way to go about this is to use winterizing chemical kits which contain everything you will need to successfully complete this step of pool winterization, in pre-measured kits for various pool sizes. Typical winterizing chemical kits contain pool shock, a chemical floater and oxidizer, an algaecide, stain prevention chemicals and Winter Sorb, which removes grease, oil and lotions from the pool water. By using winterizing chemical kits for above ground pools, you will be ensuring that your water is properly treated so it will be clean and clear come springtime.

Once you have treated your pool with the proper winterizing chemicals, make sure that you remove all summer gear and accessories from your pool. This means removing ladders, fountains, lights and any cleaner attachments. Leaving such items in your pool during the winter can cause damage to your liner as ice forms and causes the objects to move around in the pool. Once all summer gear has been removed from the pool, backwash your filter and store it indoors for the winter. If your filter is too heavy to move indoors or if you would simply prefer to leave it outdoors, you need to either wrap it in an old blanket or use some winter cover seal to protect it from the elements.

Last but certainly not least, it's time to cover your pool with an above ground winter pool cover. Winter pool covers are available in both mesh and solid construction, and are designed to be placed right on the surface of the pool water. If you live in a climate where the water may freeze during the winter, you will need to use an air pillow, which simply needs to be inflated and secured in the middle of the pool, beneath the winter cover. Air pillows keep winter covers elevated and also compress to relieve pressure on pool walls caused by ice formation. Air pillows can be easily inflated with a vacuum cleaner and can be secured with nylon string or rope.

As for the winter pool cover itself, it's recommended that you use above ground pool closing accessories such as cover clips, wall bags and cover seal to tightly secure your winter cover to your aboveground pool. This step is particularly important if you live in a windy area, where substantial cover damage can easily be caused by wind-whip. Before you leave your above ground pool alone for the winter, it's also a good idea to have a cover pump on-hand, which will effectively siphon away any standing water that collects on your winter cover during the winter months. Also, to ensure that your winter pool cover provides your pool with effective protection all season long, it's also recommended to keep a cover patch kit on hand so that you can repair any small rips or tears quickly and easily, before they become a major problem.