Closing Your Pool: In-Ground Pool 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 in-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 100-120 ppm range for a plaster pool and 120-140 ppm for a vinyl liner, fiberglass, or painted pool. Adjust the pH to 7.4-7.6.
6. Adjust calcium hardness to 200-400 ppm.
7. Add one quart of Leslie's Algae Control per 25,000 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. Set the time clock to run the filter for 2-4 hours per day.
12. Size the cover.
13. Cover the pool and fill the Water Bags or Hold-Em-Downs.

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.