Step 1
Prior to closing your pool, make sure your water is chemically balanced. Adjust levels if necessary. This step is very important because it protects the pool from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur during the period when the pool is shut down. Your chemical levels should be as follows:

• pH: 7.2 - 7.6
• Alkalinity: 80 - 120 parts per million
• Calcium Hardness: 175 - 250 parts per million
• Chlorine: 1 - 3 parts per million

Step 2
Remove all deck equipment (ladders, rails, etc.).

Step 3
Brush down the floor and sides of your pool and then vacuum. If you leave dirt and debris in your pool, it can cause staining.

Step 4
Add winterizing chemicals by broadcasting into the deep end of the pool to help protect water quality during the winter months.

Step 5
Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove all unused chlorine product from chlorinator. Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be cleaned and stored. If you have a sand filter, backwash it.

Step 6
Lower the water in the pool below the returns (where the water jets into the pool) and the skimmer. NEVER COMPLETELY DRAIN A POOL! Using an air compressor or shop vac (attached to the blower side of the vac), blow water out of the system by forcing air down the skimmer and through the plumbing.

Step 7
Cap off return lines by using threaded plugs, or use expandable rubber plugs if your returns are not threaded. Add anti-freeze by pouring it through the skimmer. Use 1 gallon of anti-freeze per 10 feet of distance from the pump to the pool.

Step 8
Remove all drain plugs from the pump, filter tank, and any other pool equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific equipment. Place all drain plugs in the pump basket for storage.

Step 9
Place a winter cover over the pool surface, black side down. We carry winter covers for above ground pools and for in-ground pools. We also carry safety pool covers.

In Ground Pools -- Cover Installation: Place water tubes end to end around the edge of the pool. Fill water tubes 3/4 full of water (do not over fill because water expands when freezing and it could burst the water tubes). Water tubes are sold separately or in packs of five. Never use concrete blocks, bricks, etc. to secure the cover because they can damage the pool cover or the pool.

Step 10
Place a cover pump in the center of the pool cover to drain off excess water accumulation. This is very important because too much water on top of the cover can cause the cover to rip or pull the cover and water tubes into the pool (very messy cleanup).