- [Narrator] So time to close your pool.
But what exactly do you need to do to prep the pool
for the offseason months?
And how do you avoid big problems like freezing parts
or algae growth?
Well don't panic.
Here are nine steps to close
and winterize your swimming pool.
Check it out.
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First before you start to winterize your pool,
you'll need a few supplies,
winter chemicals or a winterizing chemical kit.
A winter cover, water tubes to hold down that cover.
A cover cable and winch for Above ground pools.
One air pillow for Above ground pools.
Rubber or threaded plugs for your skimmers and return jets
something called a Gizzmo for your skimmers
or an empty soda bottle.
You'll also need an air compressor
if you have an Inground pool
and this is the blog the lines
and then finally,
make sure that you have the right tool kit
and protective equipment like goggles and gloves.
Okay, let's get to winterizing that pool.
Step number one.
Clean your pool and balance your pool water.
Remember, whatever state you leave your pool in now
is how you'll find it in the spring
when you take the cover off, or possibly worse.
So clean, clean, clean your future self will thank you.
You'll need to brush, skim and vacuum your pool
and make sure no debris is left behind.
You also want to make sure that your water is balanced
and that means checking the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness
and sanitizer levels.
You'll also want to Shock your pool
just a few days before closing it.
If you want to add something like winter algicide,
do not add that with Shock.
You'll have to wait at least eight hours to add that
and as always safety first.
So wear protective gloves, goggles and a mask
when handling pool chemicals.
And be sure to check out our other videos
for more information about Pool Water Chemistry.
Step number two.
Clean your filter system.
If you have a DE Filter tank,
you'll wonna drain it
and leave your backwash valve open.
For Sand Filters,
you wonna remove the drain plug
and leave it off all winter.
If you have a Cartridge Filter,
you'll want to remove that cartridge and clean it.
Step number three
Remove your return jet fittings
and skimmer baskets,
put fittings and other items
that you remove in the pump basket
so that you don't lose them
and you can find them in the spring.
Step number four.
Remove additional pool equipment.
Remove any equipment from your pool that you can,
that means diving boards, ladders and floats
and if you can remove the pump and filter
but not a Sand Filter,
you can store that away as well.
Step number five.
Disconnect and drain your pump and filter.
For Above ground pools,
remove all the hoses from the pump
and filter and the pump is drained
by removing the drain plugs.
Unscrew the quick disconnect fittings or unions.
Step number six, disconnect and drain your heater
and other filter equipment.
If there's a heater,
drain it and make sure there's no sitting water inside
remove all drain plugs if any,
but do not remove the heater drain.
Step number seven.
Blow out your pool.
If you have an Inground pool
or you get started you need to know how your pool works.
You'll need to blow air into the pipes underground
that connect to your skimmers
and your main drain to the filter system
and then back to your return jets.
You probably have valves that direct water
to and from your filter system.
Make sure that you understand
what all these valves do before you start.
Every pool is built differently.
With your air compressor.
You'll blow out the return jets
blow out while the skimmer pipes
and then blow out the main drain line.
When you see bubbles coming out of the drain,
close the valve.
This will create an air lock
and no water should enter the pipe from the pool site.
By the way,
if you'd like an in depth step by step tutorial
walking you through any of these steps
check out our Pool Winterization Course
at SwimUniversity.com/Winter.
Step number eight.
Install an air pillow if you have an Above Ground pool,
pillow helps you prevent your pool
from turning into giant icy pole.
You can also use tires, tubes, balls
and other air filled floating objects,
just throw them into your pool under your cover.
Step number nine.
Install your pool cover and water tubes.
After you secure your cover,
you'll need some water tubes to hold it down
over the wintertime.
If you use water tubes,
lay out the tubes placing them
through the loops on your cover.
Fill the tubes of water to about 85% of their capacity.
Now that your pool is winterized,
be sure to check on every week
or after any major snowstorm or rainstorms
to make sure everything is safe and secure.
If you're looking for an easy to follow tutorial
to close and prep your pool for the offseason,
check out our Pool Winterization Video Course
for the in depth video lessons
and step by step downloadable guides
covering everything you need to know
about closing your pool.
This is the ultimate manual for winterizing Inground,
Above ground and Intex Inflatable pools
and once you learn how to close your pool yourself,
you can save hundreds of dollars every year
by not having to hire a professional
So as you're watching this video,
you can go to SwimUniversity.com/Winter
and use the promo code VIDEO
to get ten percent off The Pool Winterization Video Course
right now.
That's SwimUniversity.com/Winter
and use the promo code VIDEO.
If there's a pool care topic
you'd like us to cover in a future video
please leave a comment and let us know
and hit the Like button below
If you found this video helpful.
If you want to learn more about
pool maintenance and troubleshooting
subscribe to our channel for more videos like this one
and check out the Pool Care Handbook and Video Course
at SwimUniversity.com/pool.
Don't forget to enter the promo code VIDEO
to get ten percent off.
That's it.
Thanks again and happy swimming.
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