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How to Close a Pool
Closing a Pool Right will
prevent a Catastrophic Pool Failure During the Winter
By Mark J.
Donovan
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For thirteen years and counting we have closed our pool in mid September. My
wife and I pretty much have it down to a science. We always check the PH and
alkalinity levels the night before the pool closing, and adjust the water as
necessary to achieve a neutral PH. This assures the winterizing chemicals do
their respective jobs well. We then shock the pool and add winterizer, and
allow the chemicals to work over night while we leave the pool filter
running.
In the days leading up to closing the pool my wife or I visit the local pool
store and pick up the necessary shock and winterizing chemicals, as well as
other pool items.
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Usually we need to buy a new pool cover and ice equalizer pillow every 2 to 3
years as the wind and ice wreak havoc on them. We’ve also begun to use pool
cover clips versus the wire cable to hold the pool cover down. We’ve found the
wire cable to be unforgiving if there is too much snow on the pool cover during
the winter. Twice in 12 years the pool collapsed from the weight of the snow and
ice pulling on the wire cable that held the pool cover on. The pool cover clips
break away easier than the wire cable so there is less risk of any structural
damage to the pool in the event of too much snow and ice sitting on the pool
cover during the winter months.
The following day after applying the various chemicals to the pool, my wife
usually is the one who ends up vacuuming the pool, while I remove the ladder and
other pool items lying around the pool edge. I also use a small air compressor
to fill the ice equalizer pillow.
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We then lower the pool water level by siphoning off water from the pool.
Typically we like to reduce the water to just below the bottom edge of the
skimmer. We do this as inevitably water filters through the pool cover and fills
the pool somewhat during the winter months.
After draining off the desired amount of pool water we install a winter plug in
the return line and seal the skimmer with a rectangular cap. |
Then we disconnect the filter and hoses from the pool and clean the filter
before storing it. All we do to clean the filter is hose it down with a standard
garden hose.
We then install the ice equalizer pillow in the center of the pool. We use nylon
rope to center the ice equalizer pillow in the pool and tie off the ends of the
rope to opposite corners of the pool.
| Once the ice equalizer pillow is installed we then slide the
pool cover over the pool and attach it to the side of the pool with the pool
cover clips. We typically use two pool cover clips per each pool top rail
wall segment, making sure to not tear the pool cover in the process. With
the cover in place the pool closing is complete and the pool is set for the
winter. This said, we always try to remove snow from around the edges of the
pool cover after every snow storm. |
Photo By Mark Donovan |
Typically I remove the first 4 to 6 feet of snow around the perimeter of the
pool. This helps to ensure the pool doesn’t collapse during the winter months.
In the spring, we always find the pool water to be crystal clear when we remove
the pool cover. All we do to open the pool in the spring is to top off the pool
with water, reconnect the filter and hoses, and add the necessary chemicals,
e.g. shock and chlorine.
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