When To Winterize Your Pool

When To Winterize Your Pool

There are two main factors for when the perfect time to close your pool is...


1. Temperature

  1. Climate plays a big role. If you live in a warm climate year-round, you may never close your pool.

  2. Water Temp: You can close your pool once the temperature of the water remains consistently at 60°F (16 C) or slightly below. Algae cannot grow below that temperature.

  3. Holidays: According to a survey of pool companies in the US, Most residential pools stay open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

  4. Pool heater? Keeping it open? Inground pool with an attached spa?


2. Swimming

  1. Back to school and kids aren't using it

  2. Too cold to swim

  3. Just doesn't feel like pool season anymore.


If you close too early while it's still warm, you run a higher risk of opening to a lot of pool algae. The cover and stagnant warm water is the perfect environment for algae to grow.


If you close too late, you run the risk of freezing and damaging equipment. But as long as the water is moving, it won't freeze. So keep that in mind.


Ideally, when the water gets to 60 degrees (16 C) and no one is swimming anymore. That tends to be around the middle to late September of course depending on where you live.

The Pool Winterization Video Course

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Pool Winterization Fundamentals

  • Pool Winterizing Introduction and Overview
  • When To Winterize Your Pool
  • Supplies You Need For Winterizing Any Pool
  • How to Clean Your Pool Before Closing
  • Pool Equipment Removal and Storage
  • Winterizing Chemistry Before You Close Your Pool
  • Water Levels, Skimmers, and Return Jets Preparation
  • How to Winterize Any Pool Filter System

Inground Pool Winterization

  • How to Blow Out Lines on an Inground Pool
  • Should You Use Antifreeze in an Inground Pool?
  • Inground Winter Covers and How to Install Them

Above Ground Pool Winterization

  • Adding an Air Pillow for an Above Ground Pool
  • Above Ground Winter Covers and How to Install Them
  • General Winterization Tutorial for Intex/Inflatable Pools

Off-Season Pool Maintenance

  • Off-Season Pool Maintenance Tips and Schedule

Discounts & Shopping Lists

  • Recommended Winterizing Supplies List

Additional Resources

  • Pool Closing Checklist (PDF)
  • Off-Season Pool Maintenance Checklist (PDF)
  • Off-Season Pool Maintenance Calendar (PDF)
  • Pool Winterization Course Handout (PDF)