Pool Closing Instructions

Rick the Spa Guy

Time for that dreaded pool closing... So you want to close the pool yourself... Here are a few tips to get you going...

ABOVE GROUND POOL CLOSING: Drain out the pool water to just below the skimmer faceplate. Plug the pool return and dissconnect all hoses going to pool, drain out filter and pump of any water. Open filter and clean completly. Inflate air pillow and center pillow in pool and tie off each end to sides of pool so air pillow will stay in place, drape cover over pillow and leave about 1 foot of cover over edge of pool and use wire tie looping through each eyelet and fasten with winch.

INGROUND POOL CLOSING: This is tricky... you need to lower the water in pool to below skimmer in vinyl pool and/or 6" below tile line in concrete pool. Drain out filter system of any water, take filter apart and clean throughly, you will need a blower or shop vac to blow out the plumbing lines. Blow out the suction lines first, and be sure to put in an empty bottle or compensator in each skimmer in case of and water getting in and ice forming. Blow out the return lines with the blower and start to plug each return line starting with the return closest to the equipment and working your way to the furthest one, once this is complete you will need to blow out the pool equipment, again starting with the piece of equipment that is the furthest from the pump, ie; filter then chlorinator, and finally the pump plugs. Now you can put in the closing chemicals and antifreeze in the skimmer lines, and cover the pool, be sure if you hjave the solid water bag type cover that you get a cover pump and keep the water from getting to high on top of the cover as this can then freeze and cause damage to the cover and or pool.

Well these are the basics and of course not every pool is the same so you may need to adjust some things, just remember it is all common sense, take your time and you will be fine.

Until Next Time....