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How to Close an Inground Pool

WRITTEN BY: Matthew Simmons

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This how-to guide shows you how to close an inground pool for the winter. For areas that experience cooler winter temps and are not suitable for swimming, winterizing your pool is important to safeguard your pool equipment and plumbing from the effects of freezing temperatures, which can cause pipe bursts and cracked filter and pump housings.

Step by Step

Top

Step 1

Prep, 24-48 Hours Before - Clean Your Pool, Steps 2 - 7

Preparation for closing your pool should start 24-48 hours before your plan to install your cover. The lead time of a day or so allows any chemical treatments you add to the pool to take full effect.

Things You'll Need to Close an Inground Pool:

Pool Winter Cover
Non Chlorine Shock - 1 pound per 10,000 gallons*
Winter Algaecide - 32 ounces per 10,000 gallons*
Sequestering Agent -16 punches per 10,000 gallons*
Skimmer Guard (Gizzmo)
Pool Anti-Freeze - Do not use regular anti-freeze
Return Jet Plugs
Channel Locks
Air Compressor or Line Blower
Shop Vac
Sump Pump (Optional)
Teflon Tape

*Included in Pool Closing Chemical Kit

Click Here to View Inground Pool Winter Covers

Step 2

Skim Your Pool's Surface - Remove all floating debris.

Step 3

Brush Pool Walls - Use a brush suited for your pool surface. Fiberglas or vinyl pools require a nylon brush; gunite pools require stainless bristles.

Step 4

Clean Your Filter - Backwash your Sand or DE filter; a basic hose cleaning is suggested for readers with a cartridge filter.

Step 5

Test & Balance Pool Chemistry - Test and balance your pool's chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium hardness levels before adding winterizing chemicals.

Step 6

Add Non-Chlorine Pool Shock - Using a 1-pound per 10,000-gallon dose, add non-chlorine shock to break down any lingering organic or chloramine compounds in your water.

*Dosages provided are general guidelines. Follow the dosage instructions on the package label.

Step 7

Add Winter Algaecide - Using a 32 oz. Per 10,000 gallon dose, add winterizing algaecide. Specially formulated to stay active in pool water for months, winter algaecide is vital to an easier pool opening in the spring.

Step 8

Metal Sequestering Agent - 16 oz. Per 10,000-gallon dose, add a metal sequestering agent to prevent scale or metal stains.

Step 9

How to Winterize Your Pool Plumbing, Steps 9 - 24

Close Skimmer Section Line - Adjust the suction side diverter valve(s) to close the skimmer suction line to ensure only the main drain is active.

Step 10

Lower Water Level - Drop your pool's water level 4-6 inches below your skimmer's faceplate. For pools with sand or DE filters, use your filter valve's waste setting to drain to the desired level. We suggest using a separate sump pump for pools with cartridge filters to lower your water level.

Step 11

Remove Return Jets - Use channel locks to remove your pool's return line fittings.

Step 12

Drain Pool Equipment - Remove your pump and filter's drain plug to drain any remaining water in the system. Some pool heater models may also have a drain plug/bung to purge the heat exchanger—stow drain plugs for safekeeping.

Step 13

Prepare Air Compressor & Pump - An air compressor or blower is required to purge the skimmer line of all air.We'llbeusingthepump'sdrainplug port to apply air pressure.

Use a 1/4" nozzle adapter fitting to make an airtight seal.
Set the air compressor to 10 PSI; pools with longer PVC runs will require higher PSI to fully purge lines.
Cartridge Filters - remove the cartridge before starting the compressor; Sand & DE Filters - set multiport valve to re-circulate to prevent air from entering the filter tank.

Step 14

Open Skimmer Line - Adjust suction side diverter valves to close your main drain suction line and to open your skimmer line. IMPORTANT: Do this before turning on Air Blower

Step 15

Remove Skimmer Basket - To prevent a projectile skimmer basket, remove it before turning on the air compressor.

Step 16

Turn On the Air Compressor - Allow the air compressor/blower to run. The line will purge water; you should see a steady stream of air bubbles. The plumbing lines should be purged after letting the compressor run 20-30 seconds after the steady bubble stream is seen.

Step 17

Plug Return Lines - Screw in the 1.-1/2" return line plugs; add 2 to 3 turns of Teflon tape to threads to ensure a watertight seal.

Step 18

Vacuum Water Trapped in Skimmer - With the compressor running, use the ShopVac to suck air from the water trapped in the skimmer housing.

Step 19

Turn Off the Air Compressor - with all water removed, turn off the air compressor.

Step 20

Add Pool Anti-Freeze - As an extra safeguard from cracked pipes, add a dose of specially formulated pool anti-freeze to the skimmer lines. Non-toxic RV or Marine grade anti-freeze can also be used.

Step 21

Screw In Skimmer Guard (Gizzmo) - Apply 2 to 3 turns of Teflon tape to the skimmer guard's threads to ensure air and watertight seam. Screw the skimmer guard into the skimmer line; if there are two holes at the bottom of your skimmer, thread it into the line furthest from the pool.

Step 22

Open Main Drain Suction Line - Adjust the suction side diverter valve to close the skimmer suction line and to re-open the main drain suction line

Step 23

Blow Out Main Drain Lines - After setting valves, turn on the air compressor to purge the main drain plumbing lines. The main drain line should be purged of water after you see a steady stream of air bubbles from the drain cover for 20 to 30 seconds.

Step 24

Shut Down Suction Side Plumbing- While the air compressor is still running, turn the diverter valve to close off the valve port that feeds your pool pump. Shutting this line should trap air in the main drain line.

Step 25

How to Install Winter Pool Cover, Steps 25 - 28

Unfold Pool Cover - Remove your pool cover from the box or storage; unfold it completely and lay it on one of the short sides of your pool. The black side of the pool cover should face down.

Click Here to View Inground Pool Winter Covers

Step 26

Pull Cover Over Pool - Using two or more people gripping the provided handles on either side of the cover, pull it over the pool. Hold the cover in place for the following steps by placing weighted objects on the cover's corners.

Step 27

Adjust Cover to Sit Flatly on the Pool Surface - Make sure the cover drapes straight down from the pool deck edge. The cover should not slope toward the pool center, which will stress the cover, shortening its lifespan.

Step 28

Fill and Place Water Tubes on the Winter Cover - Feed the water tubes through the winter cover straps to ensure slip-proof installation. Fill water tubes to about 50% capacity.

Step 29

Success! - Congratulations, you've completed winterizing your inground pool.