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How to Properly Close Your Swimming Pool for the Year

Play & SafetySwimming pool

Owning a swimming pool is a great way to spend the summer with your family and stay cool during sizzling temperatures. But when cold weather starts to approach, it’s important to properly close your pool for the year to keep the water clean and prolong the life of equipment by protecting it from winter weather.

Although winterizing a pool can be a bit complicated, it’s a process any homeowner can perform with the right instructions. The professionals at Indiana American Water discuss the steps to take to close a pool for the season.

Tips to Winterize Your Swimming Pool

Clean the Pool Thoroughly

Properly cleaning the pool prevents algae growth and buildup, and makes it easier to open the pool back up in the spring. Use a pool skimmer to remove all debris, brush the sides of the pool, and use a pool vacuum on the pool floor. Finally, clean pump baskets and skimmers.

Test and Balance the Water

Testing and balancing the pool water using a test kit is one of the most important steps to properly winterize a pool. The total alkalinity level of the water should be between 100-150 ppm, while the pH level should be about 7.2 to 7.6. If the alkalinity level is low, you can add an alkalinity increaser. An increaser or reducer, meanwhile, can be used to balance pH levels.

Shock and Chlorinate the Pool

Shocking your pool according to the manufacturer’s guidelines involves using chemicals to destroy algae and bacteria that might stay in the pool over the winter months. It’s important to circulate the water for a few hours to ensure the winterizing chemicals such as winter algaecide, chlorine shock, sanitizer, pH increase, and/or an alkalinity increaser are property dispersed. Add chemicals a few days before closing your pool.

Drain and Store the Pump

Another important step in winterizing your pool is removing all the drain plugs and allowing your pool pump to drain. Hoses, the pump, and a chlorinator, if your pool has one, should be stored inside during the winter. Filters should also be removed, cleaned, and stored inside.

Lower Water Levels

Lowering pool water levels about six inches or so below the skimmers and return lines can prevent cracking due to freezing temperatures. After this step is performed, add skimmer covers to prevent water and moisture from entering them.

Cover the Pool

Above-ground pools need an air pillow placed in the middle of the pool below the cover to protect the cover from pressure from debris and rainwater. Install a safety cover or winter pool cover above the inground pool and use clips to secure it.

Indiana American Water Is Committed to Safe and Quality Water

Indiana American Water holds itself to the highest standards in delivering safe and clean water whether it’s used for drinking, cooking, bathing, or swimming. Whether you have an in-ground pool or above-ground pool, ensuring that you properly close it for the year is crucial in protecting it from winter weather. Click on the link to learn more about our research and testing methods and the current water quality report for your area.


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