And Avoid Costly Repairs in the Spring

As the temperatures drop, properly winterizing your pool is crucial to preventing expensive damage and ensuring a smooth reopening in the spring. Many pool owners make the mistake of rushing the process or skipping key steps, leading to cracked pipes, equipment failure, and algae-infested water when warm weather returns.

At The Aquatics Authority, we’ve seen firsthand how improper winterization leads to costly spring repairs. This guide will walk you through how to winterize your pool the right way, so you can protect your investment and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Why Winterizing Your Pool is So Important

Many pool owners believe they can simply cover their pool and forget about it, only to find a mess waiting for them in the spring. Skipping proper winterization can lead to:

🚩 Frozen & Burst Pipes – When water freezes in pool lines, it expands, causing pipes and fittings to crack. Repairing underground plumbing can cost thousands.
🚩 Damaged Pool Equipment – If your pump, filter, or heater isn’t properly drained, freezing temperatures can destroy internal components.
🚩 Green, Algae-Filled Water – Poor chemical balance before closing leads to stubborn algae growth, making reopening a nightmare.
🚩 Pool Surface Stains & Etching – Leaving unbalanced water sitting all winter can damage plaster, liners, and tile.
🚩 Collapsed or Torn Pool Covers – Without proper support, covers can sink, tear, or collect excessive debris, leading to extra maintenance and expenses.

💡 The good news? A properly winterized pool requires minimal effort in the spring and saves you money on unnecessary repairs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Pool Properly

Step 1: Deep Clean Your Pool

Before shutting down your pool for the season, it needs to be as clean as possible to prevent algae growth and staining.

✔ Skim & vacuum to remove all debris.
✔ Brush the walls and tile to prevent algae buildup.
✔ Empty skimmer and pump baskets to avoid clogged filtration.

💡 Pro Tip: A pool that goes into winter dirty will be a disaster to open in the spring. Take the time to clean it properly now.

Step 2: Balance Water Chemistry

Before closing, your pool water should be chemically balanced to prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and algae growth.

✅ pH Level: 7.2 – 7.6
✅ Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
✅ Calcium Hardness: 175 – 250 ppm
✅ Chlorine or Bromine: 2 – 4 ppm
✅ Shock the Pool: Use a high-quality shock to kill any lingering bacteria or algae.

💡 Why This Matters: Properly balanced water prevents plaster damage, liner stains, and excessive algae growth.

Step 3: Lower the Water Level (But Not Too Much!)

The water level should be adjusted depending on your pool type:

✔ Vinyl & Fiberglass Pools: Lower the water just below the skimmer opening to prevent freezing damage.
✔ Gunite & Concrete Pools: Lower water just below tile level to protect against cracking.

💡 Common Mistake: Draining your pool too much can cause structural damage. The weight of the water helps keep the pool stable.

Step 4: Protect Your Plumbing & Equipment from Freezing

Water left in pipes and equipment expands when it freezes, leading to cracked pipes, broken filters, and expensive repairs.

✔ Blow out pool lines using an air compressor to remove any remaining water.
✔ Add non-toxic pool antifreeze to plumbing lines as extra protection.
✔ Drain the pump, filter, and heater completely. Remove drain plugs and store them safely.

💡 Skipping this step can result in thousands of dollars in plumbing and equipment repairs!

Step 5: Add Winterizing Chemicals

To prevent algae growth, staining, and bacteria buildup, add the following winterizing chemicals:

✔ Algaecide – Prevents algae from forming over the winter.
✔ Metal Sequestrant – Protects against staining from metals in the water.
✔ Winterizing Shock – Kills bacteria and helps keep the water clear.

💡 These treatments keep your water fresh and reduce cleanup time in the spring.

Step 6: Secure Your Pool Cover

A good pool cover protects against debris, sunlight (which encourages algae), and harsh weather conditions.

✔ Use a safety cover for maximum protection. These are strong enough to hold weight and prevent accidents.
✔ Ensure the cover is tight and properly anchored. Loose covers allow debris and water to collect.
✔ Remove excess water from the cover regularly to prevent sagging and tears.

💡 Avoid using cheap, low-quality covers that can rip or collapse under heavy rain and snow.

Common Pool Winterization Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Waiting Until It’s Too Cold to Winterize – A sudden freeze can damage your pipes and equipment overnight. Winterize before the first hard freeze!
🚫 Skipping Chemical Balancing – Water that isn’t balanced can corrode surfaces, stain liners, and lead to excessive algae growth.
🚫 Failing to Drain Pool Equipment – Water trapped in your pump, filter, or heater can freeze and crack, leading to costly replacements.
🚫 Not Blowing Out the Pool Lines Properly – Even a small amount of trapped water in your plumbing can freeze and cause major damage.
🚫 Using a Low-Quality Pool Cover – Cheap covers can rip, let debris in, or collapse under heavy snowfall.

The Cost of Improper Winterization vs. Professional Service

Many pool owners try to cut corners on winterization, only to face expensive repairs in the spring. Here’s a look at potential costs:

💰 Total potential repair costs for improper winterization: $10,000+!

✅ Cost of Professional Winterization by The Aquatics Authority? A fraction of that!

Let The Aquatics Authority Winterize Your Pool the Right Way

Instead of worrying about blowing out pipes, balancing chemicals, and securing covers, let our expert team handle everything for you.

✨ Our Professional Pool Winterization Includes:
✅ Full pool cleaning & chemical balancing
✅ Proper water level adjustment for your pool type
✅ Blowing out plumbing lines & adding antifreeze
✅ Draining and winterizing equipment to prevent damage
✅ Secure pool cover installation for maximum protection

📞 Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact The Aquatics Authority today for professional pool winterization and protect your investment from costly repairs.

💡 A little preparation now can save you thousands in the spring. Let us do the work—so you can relax all winter long!