Closing your In Ground Pool for the season shouldn’t be complicated or troublesome. In the 40 years that International Pools and Spas has been in business, we’ve closed many pools for our clients.

We’d like to share some Pool Closing Tips with you to help make the process easy!

One Week before Pool Closing

Bring a water sample into an International Pool and Spa store at least one week prior to Closing. All chemistry adjustments should be made at this time before adding any of the Winterizing Chemicals. As the temperature of the pool water drops, the water becomes more corrosive. Improperly balanced water may result in the liner becoming brittle and the formation of wrinkles or pinholes may occur. Further damage could be the corrosion of any metal parts (face plate screws), and the staining or pitting of a concrete/ gunite pool surface.

Day before Closing

• Vacuum pool. Backwash pool for 3 minutes to loosen and clean sand and complete with a rinse. Every few years it is advised to clean sand using 1Kg of Filter Cleanse. Clean sand allows for better filtration (sand should be replaced every 7 years)
• Add liquid chlorine or granular chlorine (premixed with water) and evenly broadcast around the pool. Let pool circulate for 12 hours.
• Solar Blanket should be cleaned (Try Natural Chemistry Cover Cleaner) and dried before storing. Solar blanket can be stored outside if using a solar blanket jacket.

Day of Closing

• Drain water 2-3” below the lowest return jet.
• Remove any equipment i.e. ladders, diving boards, drop in steps etc
• Remove eyeball(s) from return jet(s)
• Remove skimmer basket and weir door from skimmer unit.
• Blow out lines using a shop vac to ensure that the majority of water is drained from the inlet and outlet lines.
• Insert foam rope into the return jet(s) and then insert either an expandable plug or threaded plug into return(s).
• Add Anti Freeze down skimmer (down the hole that leads to return jet)
• Plug skimmer with foam rope and a gizmo (this helps water from freezing and cracking skimmer unit). In addition plug main drain opening using foam rope and an expandable plug. Anti Freeze can be added in unit to reduce risks of cracking.
• Remove all drain plugs and drain caps from pump, filter, chlorinator and heater (refer to manufacture specifications if uncertain). Position dial valve on filter to “Close” or “Winterize”.
• Remove sight glass and pressure gauge from filter. Remove basket from pump
• Turn off pilot light on heater. It is advised to disconnect water lines going into and from heater.
• Disconnect Salt Water Generator/Ozone and remove cell or see manufacture specifications.
• Remove light (see manufacture specifications)
• Add pool Closing Kit which consists of 1L Algi Free II (prevents algae growth), 1L Pool Protect All (prevents staining and scaling), 1kg of Quik Shok (keeps chlorine active through winter months) and 1L Pool Saver Spring/Fall(enzyme breaks down organics and reduces scum/water line). Add products to separate corners/areas of the pool and using vacuum pole circulate water.
• Cover pool using Winter Cover (black side down). Cover should rest directly on water lever, pat extra cover material against the inside walls of pool. There should be no stretching of cover or air in behind cover.
• Place water bags on top of cover. Water bags should be placed end to end with one another to prevent any wind from getting under the cover and lifting it up. Fill water bags ¾ full with water (do not overfill, or water will freeze and bags will break. ***Do not drag water bags across concrete as this will damage them***
• Place enough water onto the tarp (1”) to help keep cover weighted on water. A little bit of algaecide can be added to help prevent build up on cover.
• Place leaf net on top of winter cover and secure. Leaf net is to be emptied or removed prior to snowfall.

There you have it! Pool Closing made easy. For all of the products mentioned in this guide, simply Visit Our Online Store or come by one of our 9 Ontario Locations!