10 easy steps to winterize your inground pool

As winter is arriving, it's time to winterize your inground pool and get ready for the chilly winter months. It is essential to ensure that all your preparations to winterize the pool are up to par, especially if you live in New Jersey. In the winter, properly closing your pool will help it last longer and make it simpler to reopen in the spring.

Winterizing a pool entails removing all the drain plugs from its components, turning off all of its machinery, and decreasing the water level to the tile's subsurface. While reading the details, this process may appear drawn out and complicated, but once you have the necessary tools and thoroughly grasp the steps, winterizing your inground pool will be simple. But, if, in any case, you are unable to winterize it on your own, you can hire a pool company like EverClear Pools & Spas in New Jersey for pool closings.

However, follow all the steps in the article below, and you'll discover that it's a relatively stress-free process. You may learn how to effectively and safely get your inground pool ready for the chilly months.

How to winterize an inground pool: 10 Steps

Step #1: Inspect and clean the water

Inspecting the water about a week before you close your pool is essential, as making the necessary adjustments to the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. Once the water is balanced, add shock directly to the skimmer, following the handling directions on the container.

Granular chlorine can damage your pool cover and ruin algaecides, so if you're using it to shock the water, apply it 4–7 days beforehand to give the chlorine level time to decline before covering. You can also add non-chlorine shock closer to shutting; it won't hurt. Add algaecide after the chlorine levels are normal, and let it circulate for at least one day before closing. 

Step #2: Skim the debris and leaf-filled pool 

Using a hand skimmer, you should remove as many leaves and other objects from the water as possible. While automatic skimmers can minimize impurities and save time, you should also give your pool a visual inspection to ensure it is as clean as possible. 

Step #3: Clean up the walls

After using a skimmer to remove debris, use a pool brush to scrub down the walls as thoroughly as possible. Scrubbing is essential when you have areas with pebbles or other uneven surfaces that could retain waste, and it would help if you brushed the bottom of the pool and the water line on the wall. 

Step #4: Clean the filter while lowering the water level

If you own a sand filter or DE, turn it to "Backwash" for 10-15 minutes or until the water level is around 6 inches below the skimmer or tile border, and then reduce the water level. The "Backwash" setting aids in filter cleaning by re-circulating chemically treated water through the filter as it drains.

Step #5: Cut off the power to the pool 

Disconnect the time clock's ON and OFF trippers, then turn off the pool's primary power source. As you winterize your inground pool, this will stop your pump from operating for the subsequent procedures. 

Step #6: Drain the pump and filter system and unplug the fittings

Once the desired water level has been reached, drain all significant machinery and unhook any fittings that can freeze and crack.

Reset the valve to the "Filter" position, turn off the filter, and then open the drain to drain any water. Then, unplug your pump and filter, empty the water, remove any drain plugs, and dispose of any debris accumulated in the pump basket. Additionally, while inspecting the filter components during this process, determine if a pool water filter replacement is necessary for optimal maintenance

Step #7: Lines should be sealed

You can empty the return lines using a shop vac or another tool to vacuum any remaining water while water is below the return lines. An inflatable rubber drain cap will then be able to seal them.

You must install the expanding plugs before adding antifreeze to the system via the skimmer. Pour approximately one gallon of antifreeze for every 10 feet of pipe to help lessen the possibility that the plastic tubes will freeze over the winter and sustain long-term harm.

Step #8: Remove the extras

The next step is to remove all accessories and put them away for the season. Remove the ladder, flotation equipment, cleaning supplies, etc., and put them in a dry place out of direct sunlight and humidity. To keep your equipment safe from the elements throughout the winter, put it in your basement, garage, or storage shed.

Step #9: Implement air pillows

Air pillows can lessen ice growth and lower the danger of wall and tile damage in places that see a severe freeze, while they are not necessary to winterize an inground pool. Inflate air pillows, then fasten them to something stationary.

Step #10: Enclose the pool with a cover

To protect your pool from sunshine, trash, and precipitation, cover it. Pool covers come in various styles, including traditional winter covers and covers for safety/security.

Before installing:

1. Check the cover.
2. If there are any tears or rips when looking over the cover, try fixing them beforehand.
3. Use heavy-duty duct tape or swimming pool patch tape to repair lightweight coverings.

For vinyl coverings, you will require a vinyl pool patch. Set the pool cover in place. 

Final words 

Sitting by the fire with your feet up is just as soothing as lounging by the water when the weather is gloomy outside. Additionally, it is simpler to unwind, knowing that your pool will remain pristine and intact during the winter. It takes one or two days to finish closing your pool for the summer. However, winterizing a pool is challenging, and you must follow the above actions to prepare your pool for freezing weather.

Some steps are challenging, but the rest is simple. If you have a plan, closing the pool won't be noticeable. You will need to do little work to reopen the pool in the spring if you use this list as a reference.

It takes a lot of work, and costly repairs might result from poor workmanship. New pool owners may consider hiring a swimming pool contractor. Consequently, hiring a company for pool closing and the opening is your best option. You have to contact them, and they will manage the rest. We now hope you've enjoyed reading and are ready to put your pool away for the season.