To winterize your above-ground pool, start by doing a deep cleaning. Then you’ll need to balance the chemistry, adding winterizing chemicals. After this, lower the water level, drain your pump and filter, and finally put on an air pillow and secure the winter cover.
| Project Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Estimated Time: 2 to 4 hours of active work, spread over 1 to 2 days Project Cost: $200–$400 |
Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for the project:
- Leaf rake or skimmer
- Pool brush and vacuum
- Water test kit
- Winterizing chemical kit (algaecide, shock, stain preventer)
- Submersible pump or siphon hose
- Threaded winterizing plugs
- Air pillow
- Winter cover with cable and winch
- Skimmer cover plate (optional)
Step 1. Deep Clean Your Pool
You should not put a dirty pool to bed for the winter. Any leaves or dirt left in the pool will decay over the off-season. This uses up the winterizing chemicals you add, leaving the water unprotected. The decaying matter will also create stains on your pool liner that are hard to remove.
Use a leaf rake or skimmer to get all floating debris off the water’s surface. Next, use a pool brush to scrub all the inside surfaces. After brushing, vacuum the pool very well.
Finally, take all accessories out of the pool. This includes ladders, steps, toys, and automatic pool cleaners. Hose them down, let them dry, and store them in a shed or garage.
Step 2. Balance the Water Chemistry
Balanced water is stable and does not cause corrosion. You should start this process about a week before you plan to cover the pool, when the water temperature is consistently below 65 degrees F. Algae grows in warmer water, so waiting for cooler temperatures helps the chemicals last all winter.
For more guidance on timing, check out our article on When to Close Your Pool.
Use your test kit to check the water. Adjust the levels to these ideal ranges:
- pH Level: Between 7.4-7.6
- Total Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm
- Chlorine Levels: 2-4 ppm
Step 3. Add Winterizing Chemicals
Once the water is balanced, add the final protective chemicals while the pump is running to circulate them.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO at Cabana, offers this advice: “Make sure to add an algae preventative. You’ll also want to add chlorine and a shock treatment, but don’t forget an algae preventative. This will really help ensure the health of your pool throughout the winter.”
Here are the steps:
- Start with a stain and scale preventer.
- Next, add your winter algaecide.
- The last chemical is pool shock, which kills any leftover contaminants.
After adding the shock, let the pump run for at least eight hours so all the chemicals are fully mixed.
Step 4. Lower the Pool Water Level
You lower the water level to protect your plumbing from freeze damage. Water left in the skimmer or return lines will freeze, expand, and crack the pipes.
Use a small submersible pump or a siphon hose to lower the water. According to Yamaguchi, “Generally, a good rule to follow is to drop the water level at least 4-5 inches below the skimmer. Also, you should always look at your pool’s manual, because it should provide a breakdown of what you should do here. You can also contact a pool pro for advice.”
Optional: You can also use a special skimmer cover plate. This device creates a watertight seal over the skimmer opening, so you do not have to drain any water.
Note: Do not drain too much water. An above-ground pool needs the weight of the water for stability. An empty pool can collapse.
Step 5. Drain and Store Equipment
Getting all the water out of your pump, filter, and hoses is critical. Water left in any equipment will freeze and crack the housing.
First, turn off all electrical power to the pool equipment at the circuit breaker. Next, plug the return jet on the inside of the pool wall with a threaded winterizing plug. Disconnect all hoses, drain them completely, and store them somewhere dry.
Locate the drain plugs on your pump, remove them, and allow all the water to drain out. It is best to move the pump indoors to a basement or garage.
Step 6. Install the Air Pillow and Cover
The final step is to install the air pillow and winter cover. The air pillow’s main job is to be an ice compensator. When water freezes, it expands and pushes against the pool walls, which can cause them to buckle or collapse.
“One of the most common mistakes homeowners will make with above-ground pools is not utilizing air pillows to keep the pool cover off the surface of the water,” says Yamaguchi. “This is such an important step for not only the pool cover but the entire pool itself, because it helps prevent structural breaks or pressure issues.”
Inflate the pillow to about 60% of its full capacity so it remains soft. Use ropes to keep it centered in the pool.
Step 7. Secure the Winter Pool Cover
With another person, spread the winter cover over the pool and the air pillow. Thread the steel cable through the grommets and use the winch to tighten the cable until the cover is secure under the pool’s top rail.
The cover should be snug but supported by the water, not stretched tight across the pool’s frame. For detailed instructions, see our guide on How to Cover an Above-Ground Pool.
FAQs About Winterizing Your Above-Ground Pool
No. Once you add the winterizing chemicals, the pool is closed for the season. The water is not safe for people.
The winterizing process is almost identical. You will clean the pool, balance the water, and cover it just like a chlorine pool. The main difference is that you must disconnect, clean, and store your salt chlorine generator (salt cell) indoors for the winter. For more details, you can read our How to Winterize Your Saltwater Pool article.
You can winterize without lowering the water level below the skimmer if you use a skimmer cover plate. This plate seals the skimmer opening, allowing you to drain the skimmer plumbing without lowering the pool’s water level.
You should not winterize an empty above-ground pool. The water inside gives support to the walls. Without the water, the pool can be damaged by wind or snow. The only exception is for small, soft-sided pools designed to be taken down each year.
If you don’t winterize your above-ground pool, the freezing water can crack the skimmer, burst pipes, and ruin your pump and filter. It can also tear your pool liner and even damage the pool walls, leading to very expensive repairs.
The Importance of Pool Professional Help
With the cover on, the job is done. Your pool is now protected from winter weather. Doing this work in the fall gives you peace of mind. It also means that when spring arrives, you will have a clean pool ready for fun, not a big repair project.
If this process seems like too much, HomeGnome can help connect you with experienced pros who can handle it for you.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled services in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Image: Above-ground pool on a sunny day. Image Credit: New Africa / Adobe Stock
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