How To Close Your In Ground Swimming Pool

What You Need:

Pool Cover & Water Tubes (if needed)
Return line plugs Skimmer plugs or gizmos
Winterizing chemicals
Air compressor or High-powered shop vac

First test you pool water to make sure your pool is properly balanced. Gather up all your winter pool supplies including your pool cover, water tubes (if needed), plugs, skimmer gizmos and winterizing chemicals. Also get out the air compressor or a shop vac. Make sure all the winter products are in good condition. Please sure to check if your gizmos are not cracked.

Start by backwashing your filter. If you have a DE filter take out the internal grids and give them a good rinse and put them back in, do not acid wash them (you can choose to store them indoors for the winter for longer life). If you have a cartridge filter just take out the cartridge rinse it and store it indoor. Make sure that no matter what filter you have that all the plugs are taken out to allow extra water to escape throughout the winter. Also take all of the plugs out of your pump and if you have a chlorinator. So that you don’t lose them, place all the plugs in the pump basket and put the lid back on so you know where they are. Make sure your multi-port valve or push/pull valve has no water in it.

For More information on how to backwash your type of filter:
How To Backwash A DE Filter
How To Backwash A Sand Filter

If you have a heater make sure there is no water inside by blowing it out with the air compressor or shop vac. Make sure all the plugs are out of it and in the pump basket with the rest of your plugs. Unscrew any quick disconnect fittings or unions. Just make sure once again that there is no water hiding in your filter system. The water will freeze and cause cracking. Remove all the return fittings in the pool along with all of the skimmer baskets Blow out all the lines by using the air compressor or shop vac. Hook up the air compressor or shop vac to the return lines at the filter system. Start blowing air into the lines until you see bubbles coming from the return lines. Go over and start to put your rubber plugs into the return lines in the pool to block them up. Make sure the plug is very secure in the return hole. Once all the return lines are all plugged up it’s time to move onto the skimmer (the suction lines).

Blow out these pipes the same way you did the return lines and once put the gizmo or plug in the skimmer when you start to see the bubbles blowing full force. If you choose to use a rubber plug instead of a gizmo make sure you put something in the skimmer to prevent it from cracking when it rains and freezes. You can use a soda bottle, sponge or a piece of foam. If you have a waterslide, fountain or automatic vacuum cleaner line you need to blow those lines out as well the same way you blew out the skimmer and return lines. Also blow out the main drain line, the line that goes down to the bottom of your pool. All you have to do is get the bubble to blow out from the bottom and block up the line with a rubber plug. This will cause an air lock and it’s the best you can do without diving down to the bottom and putting a plug into the main drain, which we do not recommend you do. Put duct tape on all exposed pipes to prevent from water getting in from rain throughout the winter.

Remove all the ladders, rails and your diving board if you have one. And all of the rope and floats again if you have any. At this time we recommend you use liquid winterizing chemicals or quick dissolving powder chemicals. Add all of your winterizing chemicals to your pool and do you best broadcasting these chemicals evenly around the pool. Now you can choose whether to drain your pool or leave it filled. It’s best to drain your pool about 6 inches below the skimmer. The reason we do this is come spring we can add fresh water and therefore dilute the chemical buildup that can cause problems later. If you rather leave the pool filled to keep you cover up you can do that as long as your pipes were properly blown out.

Place you pool cover over your pool. If you use a safety cover then consult your manual on how to put this on. If you are using a simple plastic cover just make sure there are no rips or tears. If there are you can patch them by placing duct tape on both sides of the cover. If you are using a plastic cover and are using water tubes to secure then make sure when filling the water tubes make sure you only fill them about 85 percent of the way to allow for expansion when they freeze. Make sure the tubes are not leaking before putting them on. It is not recommended to use anything but water tubes to secure your plastic covers. Water tubes, if they happen to fall in your pool, will not cause any damage to your liner or concrete much like a brick or cinderblocks will. Remember if you are not sure about this procedure, we recommend you hire your local pool company to close your pool for you.