Pool Closing Checklist

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