How to Close Your Pool for Winter

Applies to: In-ground and above-ground home pools in freezing and mild-winter climates; pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps and covers

Do you need to close your pool?

There is no single closing date that fits every home. Pentair says that if you get a consistent amount of snow, sleet, or temperatures around or below 32°F (0°C), you need to winterize. Pentair also says pools in the Sun Belt usually stay open all year unless there's a chance of a cold front.^[1][2]

Your local forecast can help with timing. The National Weather Service issues a Freeze Watch when significant, widespread freezing temperatures are possible within the next 24 to 36 hours.^[6]

• Where pools stay open, Pentair suggests keeping the water level the same so water can keep circulating through the skimmers.^[2]
• Pentair also suggests removing robotic cleaners and booster pumps in case of nightly frost.^[2]
• Have a freeze protection plan for a winter storm or power outage. Our freeze-protection guide covers this.^[2]

Before you start: chemicals and children

Pentair says to make sure your water is balanced before winterizing. Use only the products and amounts on each label for your pool's volume.^[1][7]

In-ground pools: protecting the equipment

Work from the manual for each piece of your own equipment. The steps below show what named manufacturers say.

1. Remove cleaners, booster pumps and accessories (Pentair).^[1]
2. Turn power off at the circuit breaker before draining anything. Pentair's IntelliFlo3 guide says this, and Hayward's Max-Flo pump manual warns to turn power off to the motor first to avoid a dangerous or fatal shock.^[11][12]
3. Lower the water as your pool professional advises. Pentair says a lower water level helps with freeze protection and overflow. Pentair also warns that fiberglass and in-ground vinyl liner pools should never be empty.^[1][13]
4. Drain the pump by following every step of your own pump manual's winterizing procedure, in order. Pentair's IntelliFlo3 guide has you remove both drain plugs from the bottom of the strainer pot and drain the pump. Hayward's Max-Flo manual says to drain all water from the pump and piping when freezing temperatures are expected.^[11][12]
5. Drain the filter. Hayward's S200 sand filter manual says to drain the tank through the drain cap and leave the cap off during winter, then winterize the pump per its own instructions. If you have a cartridge or DE filter, use that filter's manual.^[3]
6. Have a pool professional clear the lines. Pentair says a pool expert will blow out the lines and plug the skimmer. Hayward warns that purging with compressed air can make components explode.^[1][12]
7. Protect the motor without sealing it in. Pentair and Hayward both say not to wrap the motor in plastic for winter storage.^[11][12]
8. Store removable equipment somewhere dry (Pentair).^[1]

Above-ground pools: check your model

Bestway's owner's manual gives winter steps only for its APX 365 pools. It says these can stay up in winter without emptying all the water. If you own another brand, such as Intex, follow that pool's own manual.^[4]

• Bestway says to disconnect the filtration system and other accessories from the pool.^[4]
• Bestway warns that at around 32°F (0°C) or below the water can freeze. Water left above the inlet and outlet may freeze inside and damage the liner, so follow the manual's water-level step.^[4]
• If ice forms, Bestway says to remove it very carefully because sharp edges can damage the liner.^[4]
• Pentair suggests an air pillow for above-ground pools to relieve pressure from rain, snow and ice.^[1]

If you take your pool down, Bestway says to drain it away from the house and anything that could be damaged by water, check local regulations for drainage, and make sure the liner and accessories are completely clean and dry before storage. If your pool stays up, Bestway's manual says to remove or secure the ladder to prevent entry when the pool is not in use.^[4]

Covers: safety cover or debris cover?

CPSC's barrier guidelines say power safety covers should conform to the ASTM F1346 standard, which sets safety performance requirements for pool covers to protect young children from drowning. An older CPSC publication explains that ASTM requires a safety cover to withstand the weight of two adults and a child, to allow a rescue.^[15][16]

Not every cover is a safety cover, so check what your cover is made for. For example, Bestway's manual says its pool cover is not designated as a safety barrier.^[4]

Keep every barrier working all winter

• Pool Safely says the water should only be reachable through a self-closing, self-latching gate.^[5]
• CPSC calls a gate that fails to close and latch completely the weak link in any fence. Never prop a pool gate open.^[15][16]
• Keep door alarms and pool covers in working order (Pool Safely).^[5]
• CPSC notes that barriers are not childproof, and says never to leave a child unsupervised near a pool.^[15][16]

When to call a professional