It is getting to be that time of the year again that you need to winterize your pool. If you have recently bought an above ground pool and do not know how to properly winterize it, here is a easy step by step guide on what you need to have an when you should start the process. Freezing water is an above ground pools worst enemy. The main reason for winterizing your pool is to keep it from freezing as well as keeping it clean for the next season. Taking the time to properly close your pool can save you time and headaches when it comes time to open your pool again.

What You Will Need

• Balancing Chemicals
• Winterizing Kit
• 2 Gizmos
• Pool Cover
• Air Pillow

Step #1: Balance Chemicals

Make sure that your chemicals are fully balanced. This isn’t a different step that when you usually balance your chemicals, but you want to make sure that they are fully balanced so your pool will stay clean and will not stain.You will need chemicals to balance your pool’s pH, Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness. *Tip:Avoid using floaters with strong oxidizers. They tend to float to the side of a pool and can stain the vinyl-liner.

Step #2: Add Winterizing Kit

For Chlorine (Permasalt / ionizer, salt generator) Pools:you will need to get a winterizing kit that is made for a chlorine pool. You will want to read the directions specifically for your type of winterizing kit, but most winterizing kits for chlorine pools will have you add the non-chlorine shock / oxidizer then wait approximately 4 hours while the pool circulates. Then, add the winterizing powder and wait for another 4 hours while the pool circulates. Finally, add the winter stain and scale and let the pool run and circulate for 4 more hours.

For Non-Chlorine (Baquacil) Pools:use the same basic process as chlorine pools do, just with different items to add to your pool. You will need to add oxidizer, sanitizer, and the whole bottle of performance algeaside. Just like with chlorine pools you should wait 4 hours inbetween each item to let the pool circulate them throughout.

Step #3: Replace Hoses with Plugs

After all of your chemicals are balanced and you are finished adding your winterizing kit. You should remove the basket from your skimmer. Use a Gizmo to plug up your pool. You should also remove your eyeball fitting and replace with either a plug or another Gizmo. We recommend plugging your skimmer and return instead of lowering the water level of your pool. This keeps from wasting the chemicals you added to your pool, You will not have spend time draining your pool, and refilling it in the spring, and this will also increase the efficiency of your air pillow that is used in the last step of this process.

Step #4: Drain Your Pool Equipment

Disconnect all of the hoses connecting your pump, filter, and swimming pool. If you have a sand filter, turn the 7-way miltiport valve to the closed or winterize position. Remove the plug from the pump and the bottom cap from the filter. Finally remove the pressure guage and the sight glass. We recommend placing all of your fitting, plugs and caps in a ziplock bag and putting them in you strainer so they can easily be found again when you open your pool in the spring. If you have a cartridge filter, simply take the cap off of the tank and remove the plug from the pump. After your pump has been drained, turn it on for a few seconds in order to get all of the water our of the impeller. Be carefull not to run it for too long without any water so that the seal does not burn out.

Step #5: Cover Your Pool

The fifth and final step to close your pool is covering it up. There are a few different options of above ground pool covers. Get a pool cover that will keep out any debris and sunlght. This keeps the pool clean and will prevent the growth of algae. *Tip:Make sure you get a quality pool cover. The Eyelets are usually the first area where you pool cover can rip or fray. Some Pool covers offer heavy duty eyelets to prevent this problem. You will also want to get one or two air pillows depending on the size of your pool that go under your cover so that fall leaves and rain does not collect on your pool cover.