Steps for Closing an Inground Swimming Pool
- 1). Adjust the chemical levels in your pool. Add chemicals as necessary to achieve a pH between 7.2 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 and 120 parts per million, calcium hardness between 175 and 250 parts per million and chlorine between 1 and 3 parts per million.
- 2). Unbolt and remove ladders and rails from the pool and deck. Clean all surfaces of your pool. Brush the sides and bottom and then vacuum out the debris.
- 3). Add winterizing chemicals according to their instructions to the deep end of the pool. Remove all debris from the pump basket, filter and skimmer. If your pool uses an automatic chlorinator, remove the chlorine product from it.
- 4). Pump out the water from your pool until the level is below the water jets and the skimmer. Use an air compressor to blow the water out of the plumbing lines by forcing air into the skimmer.
- 5). Screw caps on to the water jets or use foam plugs if they do not have threads. Pour 1 gallon of antifreeze per 10 feet of plumbing line into your skimmer.
- 6). Unscrew or remove all drain plugs from your pool equipment. This includes the filter tank and pool pump. Store plugs in the pump basket over the winter. Follow manufacturer's instructions for your equipment.
- 7). Install your winter pool cover. Hold it down around the pool with water tubes. Fill these 3/4 of the way full and place around your entire pool. Setup and plug-in a cover pump in the middle of your pool. This will prevent excess water accumulation on your pool cover.
