Closing Your Pool: Above-Ground in Non-Freezing Conditions

The summer swimming season is coming to a close, and it's time to start getting your pool ready for the cold winter months. Properly winterizing your pool will save time and money when you are ready to start swimming again in the spring, so you can start enjoying it again as soon as the weather warms up. If you live in a climate where the temperature rarely dips below freezing in the winter, you can continue circulating the pool water using your pump and filter but you can reduce amount of chemicals that you need add to the pool..

If your area's temperature will only rarely be below freezing in the winter, and you have an above-ground pool, follow these steps to close your pool at the end of the season:

1. One week prior to pool closing, add 14 fluid ounces of Pool Magic + PHOSfree per 10,000 gallons via the skimmer.
2. Brush and vacuum the pool thoroughly to remove all dirt, leaves and debris.
3. Fill the pool to the top, almost to the point of overflowing.
4. Add 1 liter of Metal Free per 20,000 gallons by pouring around the pool perimeter.
5. Bring the total alkalinity into the 120-140 ppm range. Adjust the pH to 7.4-7.6.
6. Adjust calcium hardness to 200-400 ppm.
7. Add one pint of Leslie's Algae Control per 12,500 gallons by mixing it with water and pouring it around the pool perimeter. Wait one hour.
8. Shock the pool with Leslie's Fresh 'N Clear at the rate of two pounds per 10,000 gallons by broadcasting the product over the pool surface.
9. Bring the chlorine level to 1.5-3.0 ppm.
10. Let the pump run for at least one complete cycle after adding chemicals. This is usually 4-8 hours. Backwash or manually clean the filter before closing the pool for the winter.
11. Remove all articles such as ladders, hoses, over-the-top skimmers, etc. If you have an automatic pool cleaner, remove it and drain it completely. Lay the hoses out straight in a non-freezing location.
12. Set the time clock to run the filter for 2-4 hours per day.
13. Inflate air pillows and tie air pillows to a stationary object. If more than one pillow is needed, tie them together using the grommets located on the pillows' corners.
14. Size the cover.
15. Cover the pool and secure it using a cable and winch. Use Above-Ground Wall Bags to secure the scover, if necessary.

During the winter season, check the chemical balance every two weeks. Once a month, inspect the pool by pulling back the cover slightly. If the water has changed color, if stains are developing, or scale is starting to form, test the water. If you have any questions about how to properly prepare your pool for the winter months, visit your local Leslie's store or call 1-800-LESLIES.