winterizing your pool

WINTERIZING YOUR POOL

Use this checklist to close your pool for the winter after temperatures drop to highs of 60 to 65 degrees for a week.

SECTION 1: CHEMICALS

PRISTINE BLUE

  • Balance your water.
  • Bring in a water sample or use test strips and PristineBlue (copper) testing kit
  • Add a final dose of PristineBlue to reach the level of .9ppm
  • Add your normal dose of PristineClean (2 oz./10,000 gal.)
  • Shock pool with your normal amount of PristineExtra (1 lb./10,000 gal.)
  • Follow with the steps in sections 2 through 4

NATURE’S PURE

  • Balance your water
  • Copper levels = 0.3-0.5 ppm
  • Closing steps:
    • Add 4oz. of Algistat per 10,000 gallons
    • Add 1 lb. of TurboShock per 10,000 gallons with pump and filter running 2 cups = 1 or 16oz. = 1 lb.
    • Follow with the steps in sections 2 through 4

CHLORINE POOL

  • Use the Poolife Closing Kit as instructed on the box for your pool size
  • Closing Poolife Kit steps:
    • Balance the water
    • Chorine levels = 1 – 3 ppm
    • Add 4oz. of Algistat for each 10,000 gallons per label directions.
    • Add Metal Removing Agent with pump and filter running for 24 to 48 hrs. before adding Shock.
    • Add in both bags of TurboShock with pump and filter running
  • Follow with the steps in sections 2 through 4.

SECTION 2: PLUGS

RETURN JET PLUG

  • Remove the eyeball (or fountain if installed) from return jet
  • Insert Universal Plug and turn wing nut to expand plug for a tight fit

PLUGGING YOUR SKIMMER

  • Use a Compensator to plug your skimmer and you will not need to drain water from your pool
    • Remove skimmer basket
    • Insert Compensator into hole inside bottom of skimmer
  • If you do not want to use the compensator you will need to drain pool to below the skimmer level,

SECTION 3: COVERING YOUR POOL

AIR PILLOWS (GO IN CENTER OF POOL UNDER THE COVER)

  • 15’ to 24’ round pools use a 4’x4’ pillow in the center of pool
  • 25’ to 33’ round pools or oval pools use a 4’x8’ pillow in the center of pool

POOL COVER APPLICATION FOR ABOVE GROUND POOLS

  • Unbox and unfold pool cover
  • Thread the cable through the grommets or loops around the edge of the cover
  • Spread cover over pool (this is easier with 2 people)
  • Make sure the overlapping cover is even on all sides of pool
  • Thread the cable into the winch and pull it tight to secure the cover

SEMI INGROUND WITH DECK

  • Unbox and unfold pool cover
  • Thread the cable through the grommets or loops around the edge of the cover
  • Spread cover over pool (this is easier with 2 people)
  • Slip cover between the top rail and deck
  • Make sure the overlapping cover is even on all sides of pool
  • Thread the cable into the winch and pull it tight to secure the cover

INGROUND OR SEMI WITH FULL DECK ON TOP RAIL

  • Unbox and unfold pool cover
  • Spread cover over pool (this is easier with 2 people)
  • Use 1’x8’ water bags to hold down edges of your cover
    • Calculate number of water bags needed
    • Round pools: Size of pool (Diameter x 3.14)/8 = number of water bags needed
    • Oval, Free Form or Rectangular pools: ((Length + Width) x 2)/8 = water bags needed

SECTION 4: Hoses, Filters, and Pumps

HOSES

  • Unhook hoses from pool or from the pump and filter
    • ClearBlue and Nature’s Pure users need to unscrew the copper cell. Both the cell and control pad
      need to come in for the winter
  • If hoses are hard plumbed, you can leave them but make sure to pull drain plug on your filter

SAND FILTER

  • Remove winter drain plug at bottom of filter
  • Set Filter to Winterize
  • Take your pump inside for the winter

CARTRIDGE FILTER

  • Open pressure release at top of filter
  • Remove winter drain plug at bottom of filter
  • Take in your pump and filter cartridge for the winter

Click here for a Printable Version of Checklist

In need of more assistance? Bring a water sample to any one of our 5 locations for a free water test. Our chemical specialists will be happy to help you achieve crystal clear water. Shop our Swimming Pool Chemicals Here