- 1). Check the chemical balance of the pool water with a chemicals test stick. You will need to adjust any levels that are imbalanced. Make sure that the level of pH is 7.2 to 7.6 ppm, alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm, hardness of calcium is 175 to 250 ppm and chlorine is 1 to 3 ppm.
- 2). Remove any hardware that can be taken out. This includes handrails, ladders and other deck accessories that are placed in the pool when in use.
- 3). Use a telescopic pole and brush head to push off any dirt on the sides of the pool. You should push the dirt down toward the floor of the pool. Fix a vacuum head onto the pole and attach the pole to the pool pump via a vacuum hose.
- 4). Vacuum the entire pool floor removing any dirt and debris that you see.
- 5). Add winterizing chemicals to the water starting at the deep end of the pool. The amount of chemicals you need varies based on the size of your pool.
- 6). Clean out the filter and pump baskets. Rinse off any leaves and dirt that may have become stuck inside.
- 7). Run a backwash cycle through your filter if you have that function.
- 8). Pump the pool until the water level is just below the jet outputs with a sump pump. This is where the water comes into the pool when you are filling it.
- 9). Pour antifreeze into the skimmer and cap off the output from the skimmer to the pool with rubber plugs. Use 1 gallon of antifreeze for every 10 feet away from the pool the skimmer is.
- 10
Remove drain plugs from any equipment connected to the pool. This includes the filter, pump and skimmer, as well as auxiliary machinery you may have. - 11
Spread out a winter cover over the pool with the dark side of the cover facing down. - 12
Secure the cover down with whatever fasteners that came with the cover. These are often water weights or hooks that must be screwed into the deck around the pool. - 13
Place a cover pump on the center of the cover. This will drain away water that collects in the cover and prevent it from sagging into the pool.
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