If you’re getting ready to close or winterize your pool, you may be asking a few common questions: Should you add antifreeze to your water? What about shock or algaecide? And should you drain your pool or leave the water where it is? Here are 7 common pool closing and winterizing mistakes and how to avoid them.
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Pool Closing and Winterization Mistakes
00:41 - Mistake #1. Closing Your Pool Too Early
01:37 - Mistake #2. Draining Your Pool
04:07 - Mistake #3. Using Antifreeze Instead Of Winterizing Your Lines
05:25 - Mistake #4. Storing Your Pool Gear In The Wrong Place
06:21 - Mistake #5. Not Cleaning Your Pool Before Your Close
06:48 - Mistake #6. Not Balancing Your Water Before Your Close
07:44 - Mistake #7. Using Bricks Or Stones To Hold Down Your Winter Cover
📡 Subscribe to our channel if you want more information on swimming pool and hot tub maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/swimuniversity
Swim University has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.
😎 Visit our website for more in-depth information on swimming pool maintenance: https://www.swimuniversity.com/
💦 Download our pool maintenance video course and save money with the promo code VIDEO: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-care-handbook/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description'>https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-care-handbook/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
🏊♂️ Our Favorite Pool Maintenance Gear: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-maintenance/'>https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-maintenance/
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Pool Closing and Winterization Mistakes
00:41 - Mistake #1. Closing Your Pool Too Early
01:37 - Mistake #2. Draining Your Pool
04:07 - Mistake #3. Using Antifreeze Instead Of Winterizing Your Lines
05:25 - Mistake #4. Storing Your Pool Gear In The Wrong Place
06:21 - Mistake #5. Not Cleaning Your Pool Before Your Close
06:48 - Mistake #6. Not Balancing Your Water Before Your Close
07:44 - Mistake #7. Using Bricks Or Stones To Hold Down Your Winter Cover
📡 Subscribe to our channel if you want more information on swimming pool and hot tub maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/swimuniversity
Swim University has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.
😎 Visit our website for more in-depth information on swimming pool maintenance: https://www.swimuniversity.com/
If you're getting ready to close or winterize your pool, you may be asking a few common questions. Should you add antifreeze to your water? What about shock or algaecide, and should you drain your pool or leave the water where it is? Well, don't panic because we're gon na cover seven common pool, closing and winterization mistakes and how to avoid them? Let's dive in real quick before we continue. If you want more help taking care of your pool, be sure to grab our free pool care, cheat sheet at swimuniversity.com cheat sheet, it's totally free and will help you keep your pool, clean and clear throughout the year. Mistake number one closing your pool too early when your pool water temperature drops below 60 degrees, fahrenheit or 16 degrees celsius.
Algae has a harder time growing. So if you wait to close your pool until temperatures stay at 60 degrees or below, you won't be incubating algae. Underneath your pool cover the other reason to wait until your temperatures drop well, any chemical that you add to your water won't last through the winter, because they usually last five months and they might be battling algae growth if it's too warm outside. If you want to close your pool on the earlier side, consider adding algaecide to your water before you close up and if you live in a climate that sees temperatures above 60 degrees in the winter check your water chemistry every two to three weeks or until the Water freezes, on the other hand, don't wait until there's a big freeze to close your pool, while a pool heater can extend your pool season by a month, or so you should plan on closing your pool before temperatures start to fall below freezing at night.
Mistake number two draining your pool: if you have an in-ground or permanent above-ground pool, you do not want to empty the water out of the pool. Exposing your vinyl, liner or concrete foundation could lead to serious damage, and the weight of the water in an above-ground pool keeps the ground from shifting or freezing. Instead, the goal of the winter is to clear the water out of your lines, pipes and equipment, while still leaving water in the body of the pool itself. This involves blowing out or winterizing your lines and if you want a step-by-step guide on how to do this, be sure to check out our other pool closing videos.
So do you need to drain out any water when winterizing a pool for above ground pools? That depends on how you plan on protecting your skimmer during the winter. If you're concerned about freezing and cracking drain the water level below the skimmer and return lines, unfortunately draining the water can cause pressure on your pool cover when it collects rain, water or snow you'll need to regularly drain the water off your cover with a pump or Siphon throughout the winter, the other option is to use a winter skimmer plate. This lets you keep the water level at its normal level and that's better for your winter cover, just remove the hose from your skimmer, so it can drain properly and install the winter skimmer plate for in-ground pools the exact level to drain the water is determined by Your pool cover and your pool surface, if you have a vinyl liner, bring the water one inch below your skimmer opening or tile line. Whichever is lower, if you have a plaster or non-vinyl pool liner and you're using a solid winter cover, lower the water six inches below the skimmer or the tile line, this water level will help support the solid cover if you're using a mesh cover lower the water 18 to 24 inches below the skimmer or tiles, and if you have an automatic pool cover be sure the water is no lower than the bottom of the skimmer be sure to check your water level. While the pool is closed throughout the winter, especially if you have snow falls or rainy weather now, if you have a smaller intex or inflatable pool, you actually do want to completely drain and dismantle the pool. The lightweight material of these pools makes them fast and easy to set up, but it leaves them more vulnerable to ice damage in the winter and that can completely rupture your pool lining. So manufacturers of smaller pools strongly recommend, draining and disassembling your pool. If the temperature drops to 41 degrees fahrenheit or below, if you do want to keep your intex pool up throughout the winter, be sure to check out our video about winterizing, your intex pool mistake number three using antifreeze.
Instead of winterizing your lines, thinking about adding antifreeze to your pool, if you close your in-ground pool the right way, you shouldn't need to antifreeze, can definitely help prevent water from freezing expanding and bursting your pipes. However, you still have to remove all the water from your pipes by blowing out the lines using an air compressor. While antifreeze is a nice insurance policy, you still have to winterize your pool correctly. If you do want to add some antifreeze be sure to choose an antifreeze: that's rated to 10 degrees, fahrenheit or negative 12 degrees celsius or even lower.
If you have colder winter temperatures and be sure to purchase non-toxic antifreeze, specifically designed for pools, antifreeze should not be needed with above ground pools, pool antifreeze helps prevent ice damage when you have a small amount of water in the pipes that freezes and expands your biggest Risk of ice damage in an above ground pool is actually your pool walls and that's why using an air pillow is so important. This will protect your pool walls if the water freezes and expands. Finally, if your pool is in arizona florida or any place that stays relatively warm during the season, you won't need to take any freeze prevention measures just be sure to keep your pool pump hooked up and run it daily throughout the winter mistake number four: storing your Pool gear in the wrong place, storing your pool gear in a strategic place not only helps protect it from the harsh weather and damage it makes it easier to find in the springtime one store all of your little pool parts like drain plugs fittings and o-rings. In your pump strainer basket, it's an easy spot to remember, and whoever opens the pool will know where to find it two store any metal equipment indoors. This helps protect it from damage cracks and rust. You'll also want to keep any metal away from chlorine, which can cause rusting three consider storing your pump indoors. It's important to keep your pump from accumulating moisture throughout the winter, but disconnecting it and moving your pump increases its chances of getting damaged. If you have a heavy snowfall or live in a harsh winter climate, consider bringing it inside otherwise leave your pump outside and winterize your equipment.
Mistake number five, not cleaning your pool before you close. You wouldn't put a coffee cup away. If it's dirty. So then, why would you do that, with your pool before you close up for the year clean your pool by vacuuming, brushing down the walls and skimming the surface, you should also clean your filter.
That means backwashing cleaning and draining the water out of your filter. Remember a little prep now will save you from potentially nasty surprises when you open your pool next spring mistake number six, not balancing your water before you close. If your pool water is balanced, it's less likely to cause damage to your pool liner and equipment during the off-season, and it's less likely to become a breeding ground for algae, so test and balance. Your alkalinity, ph and calcium, harness before closing you'll, also want to shock your pool.
You can use a fast dissolving shock before you put the cover on instead of the typical cal hypo shock that can take 8 to 24 hours to work. If you do use regular shock, make sure you give it enough time to dissolve before you close your pool. The goal is to maintain your free chlorine level between 3 and 5 parts per million. When your pool is closed, if you experience warmer temperatures in the winter test, your water chemistry every few weeks and as we mentioned before, consider adding an algaecide to your pool just before closing it.
If you do be sure to give the shock a little extra time to dissolve or it will destroy the algaecide mistake, number seven using bricks or stones to hold down your winter cover do not use bricks, stones or anything else that can damage your liner if they Fall into the pool, use water, tubes or water cover weights to keep your cover from sinking into your pool over the winter. They'll also prevent any gaps along the edges of your pool for an above ground pool secure your cover with a cable and winch, or a combination of winter cover clips and a cable for an in-ground pool. You may want to consider a pool safety cover to help. Keep anything from falling in your water remember, taking the time to properly close and winterize your pool now can save you from major pool opening headaches in the spring. Your future self will thank you and if you need more help, maintaining your pool grab our free pool care cheat sheet at swimuniversity.com cheat sheet, and if you found this video helpful leave a comment hit the like button and subscribe for more pool maintenance tutorials. That's it thanks again and happy swimming.
Do I have to blow the lines out? I have a shop and tried sucking the water out instead. I added pool antifreeze down the skimmer pipe and put some in my pump as well. Do you think that’s good enough? I’m in Canada gets down to -40 here
Can you tell me what you consider to be the skimmer or tile line ("Inground non-vinyl, mesh winter cover: 18-24" below")… Is that 18-24 from the top of the skimmer opening or bottom?
I have designed a tent pole assembly with easy to get parts that I have been using and refining for 3 years now, the cover never collects water or leaves, I have been blowing heavy snow off in the winter with my leaf blower but have also designed a simple defrost device for when I might not be home, I would post a picture but will have to figure out how, I'm more hands on old school handyman mechanic inventor that computer magician. Funny but I play more with the function and performance of the pool more than I swim in it. Your videos are helpful in this quest to be a pool boy on steroids and got me through the salt water conversion this year when nobody else could. Thanks!
What are your thoughts on the Ez drain pool covers?
I have had pool professionals close my pool, but very expensive so I'm closing it myself this year. Going to get a closing kit and clean and balance the water. I have a mesh cover and wonder if this is the problem as when the pool is opened it always has a lot of algae. Thinking on buying a black solar cover to put under the mesh cover. Would this help?
Hi trying to decide if to winterise or drain and put away a 18ft x 9ft steel framed above ground pool. We live in the UK so have frost and wind.
1. If I winterise should I also remove the solar cover or leave it under the debris cover? Would the solar cover help insulate the pool from frost damage or will the frost damage the solar cover?
2. Will a tie on cover (as supplied by bestway) be enough against wind and rain?
Thank-you Are you in Kanata ?
Bro I have a annoying problem, I can't get rid of a foggy cloudy water in the pool. I keep the filter on with the appropriate level of PH and Chlorine, I cleared out the floor with the vacuum multiple time and nothing, I've used clarifies and nothing, I might have to waste the water and fill up again. 😐
I don't close my pool. I keep it running all year and it's so much easier.
Rule #1…Never close pool when it's still warm Especially in the Midwest. #2 Never open too late. Rule of thumb, open early and close late…Otherwise you'll get algae and it will take longer to open your pool. Who ever thought it was smart to close their pool after Labor Day is a complete moron…
I have a 24' above ground pool and for the past 2 winters decided not to cover it at all. I live in Ontario, Canada and it drops below freezing in November so I simply skim the leaves and crap out before it freezes. When it thaws, I skim again a few times but don't have to worry about wrestling with a pool cover that's full of water. Once I hook up the pump, the pool is clear within 8 hours. No replacement covers to worry about every couple of years, no pool pillow and tie downs. No damage to liner either.
Great video. Thank you
I have an in ground vinyl pool and I’ve had to add water every other day. I had the pool checked for leaks and I was told I have an undetectable leak. It’s been a frustrating pool season with adding water and chemicals. Any idea what I can do ?
I use copper sulfate, you'll never see algae again!
I have a in-ground pool in New England pool company that installed said my lines don’t have to be blown out we’ve had for over 10 year and never blow out lines when closing. Just curious why do I not have to blow them out. Thx
Okay so I have a couple questions for an in ground pool
1 our jets are 4 inch below the skimmer box so if I only go 1 inch below the skimmer box I’m covering the keys after they have been blown out and plugged. Is that okay ?
2 if I go below the jets then there’s enough space that under large snow load my pool safety cover isn’t supported and goes under massive load (we lost 2 clips last year because of this load.
3 what about my main to the bottom. If I’m only 1 inch below skimmer then my main allows lots of water into the the barrel of the basket and then there’s opportunity for that to freeze too.
Thanks
Lmao if you have a solid cover only go 6 inches below skimmer. Yeah okay have fun with time damage – this is really bad advice. He is trying to tell you so there isn’t too much weight on top of cover, but if you only go six inches below you will get water displacement and freezing on the tile.
Vinyl the only time you really should be worried about too low
I have an 18ft coleman so I want to remove the lines and the pump for winter so I have to drain it 16 inches and install the plugs. Should i fill it back up some or will the 16 inches of liner be safe with the pool pillow and cover?
I live in Buffalo NY and have not put shock in my pool in 6 years.
The cheaper alternative is just bleach 2 to 3 gallons before I start my aqua bug this cleans and mixes up the chemicals very well.
Another 1 or 2 bottles when I open. Service area Ottawa??
I closed my pool and since then my pool pillow has gone flat. Any suggestions on how to add one without removing the cover. Service area Barrhaven??
Live in texas. No winter here. Just a week in February. Nice vid though
Mistake #1: Closing or winterizing your pool.
That’s old knowledge. There is no need to lower water level below skimmer for inground pools. In fact it can damage the vinyl liner if the water table of your area is high
I'd like to see a video on what to do if your hot tub is infected with hot tub rash
I'm noticing fine white powder on the bottom of my pool. It seems to be chemicals that did not dissolve. Should I dissolve in boiling water ?
If your pump and all your tubing is winterized why do you need to check your free chlorine levels? You're unable to add chlorine if you need it.
Because it won't circulate. Are you in Nepean ?
All above ground pools in canada use antifreeze -40c in the bottom drain hose and we drain the water about 20 inches below the skimmer !
I live in northern michigan, I was told to rv antifreeze the pump because the seals last longer.
Here I am in San Diego watching this video purely for the entertainment value…lol Are you in Orleans ?
I am in Tennessee and all my pool equipment is inside a brick pool house. Do I still need to close? What would happen if I just let it run and keep it chlorinated?
Thank you
wrong!, you drain both inground and above ground pools partially. c'mon! Swim University i expected more..
Debris will still slide underneath an unground pool safety cover. You need to weigh it down along the edges with sand bags or whatever
Hello, thank you for all the videos, not quite sure but thought I would ask. I live in England where our winter can be hit or miss regarding the temperatures. Sometimes can be 0°c or lower but then other times sits around 5°c. Ive built a in ground pool using a intex 18×9 pool, with a decking lid that covers it. Ive got a saltwater system which brings me to my question: being a salt water pool would I need to disconnect and store my pump and cholrinator inside or could I leave the system operating?
If I’m not covering my above ground pool, should I still do a pool closing, or just let it go?
All good points. Thank you Service area Kanata??
Thanks
I switched to cinder blocks because those water pillows kept bursting and even when they didn’t they had a hard time keeping the cover over. I can’t imagine blocks being a problem if you are careful and use enough of them.
I love how you make videos that are of appropriate timing