To winterize your saltwater pool, you will first clean it thoroughly, balance the water chemistry, and add winterizing chemicals. From there, remove and store your salt cell, drop the water level a bit, drain all the equipment, and install the winter cover.
| Project Difficulty: Moderate Estimated Time: 3 to 5 hours of active work, spread over several days Project Cost: $250–$450 |
Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for the project:
- Leaf rake or skimmer
- Pool brush and vacuum
- Water test kit
- Salt test strips or a digital reader
- Pool balancing chemicals
- Winterizing chemical kit
- Submersible pump or siphon hose
- Shop vacuum or air compressor (for in-ground pools)
- Winterizing plugs and skimmer guard
- Muriatic acid
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Air pillow (for above-ground pools)
- Winter cover
Step 1. Deep Clean Your Pool
When it’s time to close your pool for winter, it’s important to ensure you do it properly. Leaving a dirty pool closed can lead to a big mess. The debris in the water will start to break down, which means it’ll damage your liner and use up the chemicals meant to protect your water.
Start this process about a week before you’re ready to close the pool. Use a big rake to scoop away things like leaves that are floating on the surface, then grab a brush and scrub the pool’s walls, steps, and floor. Once you’ve brushed everything, it’s time to vacuum. This will suck up all the dirt and debris that’s settled at the bottom.
Once you’ve cleaned the pool itself, continue with the accessories like ladders, toys, and automatic cleaners. Pull them out, clean them well, let them dry out, and store them away safely for next season.
Step 2. Balance Your Water Chemistry
Balanced water protects your pool surfaces from staining and corrosion over the winter. You should begin this process when your pool water temperature is consistently below 65 degrees. Algae struggles to grow in cooler water, so waiting helps your chemicals last longer.
Many salt cells also stop producing chlorine around 50 to 60 degrees, making this the perfect time to close. Read our guide on When to Close Your Pool for more timing tips.
Use your test kit to check the water. Adjust the levels to these ranges for closing:
- pH Level: Between 7.4 and 7.6
- Total Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 200 to 400 ppm
- Salinity (salt level): 2,700 to 3,400 ppm
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO at Cabana, says: “It is definitely important to keep a close eye on chemical levels to keep the pool well-maintained and protected.”
Proper balance is essential for a clean opening in the spring and a key part of knowing How to Maintain a Saltwater Pool year-round.
Step 3. Add Winterizing Chemicals
After the water is balanced, it’s time to add your winterizing chemicals. Keep your pump running to circulate everything.
A common oversight is forgetting that saltwater pools need a different approach to sanitation for the winter. Yamaguchi explains, “People often don’t realize that they’ll probably have to use chlorine in their saltwater pool to winterize it. Saltwater pools use a salt chlorine generator to keep the pool clean, which regular pools do not. However, this generator will typically shut down when the weather gets cold. Because of that, the pool loses its natural sanitizing method, and that’s what makes adding chlorine necessary.”
Follow the instructions in your winterizing kit. Let the pump run for several hours to distribute the chemicals fully before moving to the next step.
Step 4. Clean and Store the Salt Cell
The salt chlorine generator salt cell is the heart of your saltwater system. It really doesn’t like the cold and can get messed up if it freezes, so you’ll need to take it out for the winter. After removing your salt cell, you can install a dummy cell. This dummy cell is essentially just a hollow tube that helps keep everything lined up properly in your plumbing.
Switch off all power to your pool equipment at the circuit breaker and unscrew the unions to take the cell out of the plumbing. Take a look inside at the metal plates. If you see any white, flaky mineral buildup, it means the cell needs to be cleaned.
To clean the cell, you will need a mild acid solution. Always wear safety goggles and gloves when working with acid, just to be safe. Mix some muriatic acid and water (one part acid to ten parts water) in a place with good air flow.
Let the solution soak for 10-15 minutes, until the fizzing stops. Rinse the cell really well with a hose and let it dry. Once it’s clean and dry, keep the cell inside where it won’t freeze.
Step 5. Lower the Water Level
You need to lower the water level to protect your skimmer and plumbing from ice damage. For both in-ground and above-ground pools, the process is similar.
Yamaguchi says, “You still want to lower the water level to below the skimmers and return jets for saltwater pools, just like with normal chlorine pools. It’s important to do this to protect the plumbing, but also important to not drain the pools completely in order to prevent them from cracking due to external pressure.”
Use a submersible pump to lower the water until it is about 4 to 6 inches below the mouth of your skimmer. For an in-ground pool, this prepares your lines to be blown out, and for an above-ground pool, this prevents the skimmer from cracking.
Step 6. Drain and Protect Equipment
To prevent freeze damage, all the water must be removed from your pump, filter, heater, and plumbing lines.
For in-ground pools: Use a shop vacuum or air compressor to blow all the water out of the plumbing lines. Start at the pump and force air through until only mist comes out of the return jets, then plug each line with a winterizing plug.
For above-ground pools: Simply disconnect the hoses from the skimmer and return jet and ensure they are completely drained. Plug the return opening from inside the pool.
Remove the drain plugs from your pump, filter, and heater, and let all the water drain out. Store the plugs in the pump basket to find them in the spring. If possible, disconnect your pump and store it indoors.
Step 7. Install the Cover
If you have an above-ground pool, you will need an air pillow. Don’t inflate it all the way. Fill it to about 60% capacity so it remains soft. Place a piece of duct tape over the valve to prevent leaks. Position the pillow in the center of the pool. It will hold the cover up like a tent, protecting your pool walls from ice pressure.
Secure the cover using water bags or safety cover anchors for an in-ground pool.
FAQ About Winterizing Your Saltwater Pool
Yes. Winterizing is essential to protect your saltwater pool’s structure, liner, and equipment from damage caused by freezing temperatures. It also keeps the water clean for an easier spring opening.
No, you should never fully drain a saltwater pool for the winter. You only need to lower the water level below the skimmer and return lines to protect the plumbing. The weight of the water is needed to support the pool structure.
You should not add salt to your pool during the winter closing process. You only need to ensure the salinity is in the correct range before winterizing.
Saltwater freezes slightly lower than fresh water, around 28 degrees. However, the equipment and plumbing are still vulnerable to freeze damage once temperatures consistently drop below 32 degrees.
Ready for Winter?
Closing a saltwater pool correctly protects your investment and guarantees a much easier start to the next swim season.
If you aren’t comfortable with the process or just don’t have the time, we can help you connect with experienced local pros who can close your saltwater pool quickly and correctly.
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.
Read More:
- How to Winterize Your In-Ground Pool
- How to Winterize Your Hot Tub
- How to Cover an Above-Ground Pool
Main Image: A pool which is covered with grey pool tarpaulin, cover and prepared for winter. Photo Credit: epiximages / Adobe Stock
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