If you opened your swimming pool at the start of the season, and discovered a lot of green muck, you may want to review the steps you took when closing your pool and refine or adjust your process.  Following are necessary steps to best winterize, or close, your pool.

1. Start with a thorough pool cleaning.  Remove dirt and algae by skimming, brushing and vacuuming the pool.

2. Check and adjust the pH, Calcium Hardness and alkalinity until all is well balanced.

3. Empty all skimmer baskets and traps, removing them from the pool and placing them in storage for the winter.

4. Cleaning the pool filter now will save you time when opening the pool.

5. Add chemicals to winterize your pool.  Shock your pool, as you would normally shock it each week. Add an algaecide and any other chemicals you feel necessary.  Some pool chemical manufacturers have created entire winterization chemical kits, keeping guess work to a minimum.  Whatever chemicals you decide to use, be sure to read all manufacturer directions very carefully.  When you are done using your pool winterization chemicals, make sure you store them in a dry place, out of reach of pets and children.

6. Drain water from the pool, but not completely. A completely drained pool could possibly crack or be pushed out of the ground by ground water pressure. Different pool manufacturers may give their own instructions on how much water to let out of the pool, otherwise a good rule of thumb is to drain out just enough water that the top of the water line is just below the return fittings.

7. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to shut down all pool equipment, drain the pump, filter and hoses, and check the drain plugs.

9. If the winters in your climate become cold, you should add pool antifreeze to skimmer lines, and return lines

10. Make sure all openings are plugged. Don’t miss this step, or all your pool winterization efforts will have gone to waste!

11. Take off any pool equipment that will not be used, such as a slide or diving board.  Store these items in a safe place for the winter.

12.  Now you should cover your swimming pool to protect the added chemicals and to keep debris out of your pool. A well-fitting, secure pool cover is a worthy investment.  If it fits well, and does its job right, you will save time and money when opening your pool at the start of pool season.  Consider purchasing a winter pool cover, which has a tighter weave than most pool covers - making it better able to protect your swimming pool from debris.  Good-quality safety covers are especially important safety features for in-ground pools.  It would be horrible to think of your pool being camouflaged by snow and someone accidentally walking it!  Some pool owners who live in warmer climates choose to not put a solid cover over their pool. If you are one of these pool owners not using a solid cover, you will need to add a second shock treatment mid-winter. If you plan to use your pool at some point during the winter, follow your regular maintenance schedule, with some minor adjustments.  Each week, run your filter for a few hours, check and adjust the chemical levels in your water once a week, and keep a cover over your pool when it is not in use for a period of time.