7 Common Pool Closing and Winterization Mistakes

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If you’re getting ready to close or winterize your pool, you may be asking a few common questions: Should you add antifreeze to your water? What about shock or algaecide? And should you drain your pool or leave the water where it is? Here are 7 common pool closing and winterizing mistakes and how to avoid them.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Pool Closing and Winterization Mistakes
00:41 - Mistake #1. Closing Your Pool Too Early
01:37 - Mistake #2. Draining Your Pool
04:07 - Mistake #3. Using Antifreeze Instead Of Winterizing Your Lines
05:25 - Mistake #4. Storing Your Pool Gear In The Wrong Place
06:21 - Mistake #5. Not Cleaning Your Pool Before Your Close
06:48 - Mistake #6. Not Balancing Your Water Before Your Close
07:44 - Mistake #7. Using Bricks Or Stones To Hold Down Your Winter Cover

[corneliog]

Live in texas. No winter here. Just a week in February. Nice vid though

[TheTerminator]

I love how you make videos that are of appropriate timing

[halfglassfull]

here in Texas we stay warm enough to not need to drain the in ground pools and just run the pool when it gets about 35 F and below. But in Feb 2021 it went to -2F and circulation did not prevent the water from freezing. Draining below the skimmer and draining the pump/filter etc would have helped. But blowing out the underground return lines should not be necessary as the ground here does not freeze.

[MikeWalker-on]

Hi. I have a metal frame soft sided coleman pool. Do I have to drain it and disassemble it for the winter. It does get about -15 where I live. Thank you

[ralphcarpenter]

I have a 24' above ground pool and for the past 2 winters decided not to cover it at all. I live in Ontario, Canada and it drops below freezing in November so I simply skim the leaves and crap out before it freezes. When it thaws, I skim again a few times but don't have to worry about wrestling with a pool cover that's full of water. Once I hook up the pump, the pool is clear within 8 hours. No replacement covers to worry about every couple of years, no pool pillow and tie downs. No damage to liner either.

[Mike-yy]

All above ground pools in canada use antifreeze -40c in the bottom drain hose and we drain the water about 20 inches below the skimmer !

[nickcarlson]

I live in northern michigan, I was told to rv antifreeze the pump because the seals last longer.

[juicer]

In ground liner pool in freezing Connecticut with a mesh winter cover. I drain the pool down below the one return to blow out the line. is it ok to leave the water level at this height and allow rain and snow to refill the pool over the winter or better to add some water back to support the liner?

[jdeveau]

What do I do with left over pucks in my chlorinator? Also, is it okay to store pool chemicals in -10C?

[oscarlontoc]

I understand I need to use pool shock and algaecide in closing. But what about baking soda?

[joejet]

Hi. Love the videos. Thanks in advance!! I have an inground vinyl liner pool. I have a mesh pool cover. How far should i lower the water? I dont think you covered this scenario. Only with a solid cover. Thanks again!!

[terryken]

I have designed a tent pole assembly with easy to get parts that I have been using and refining for 3 years now, the cover never collects water or leaves, I have been blowing heavy snow off in the winter with my leaf blower but have also designed a simple defrost device for when I might not be home, I would post a picture but will have to figure out how, I'm more hands on old school handyman mechanic inventor that computer magician. Funny but I play more with the function and performance of the pool more than I swim in it. Your videos are helpful in this quest to be a pool boy on steroids and got me through the salt water conversion this year when nobody else could. Thanks!

[kimberlyhilton]

Do I need to double shock before closing or just use the normal amount?

[poppatello]

What are your thoughts on the Ez drain pool covers?

[johnprzybysz]

I live in Buffalo NY and have not put shock in my pool in 6 years.
The cheaper alternative is just bleach 2 to 3 gallons before I start my aqua bug this cleans and mixes up the chemicals very well.
Another 1 or 2 bottles when I open.

[bradsnapp]

Thanks. We have an inground pool and use a safety cover. I do use Antifreeze for insurance but I probably don't use enough. Who knows. I do blow the lines out and then blow them out again to make double sure to get the water out. Blowing out the lines just might be the most time consuming part of closing the pool. One mistake that I make is closing the pool too early. It's not uncommon for temps here to reach 80 in early Oct but I will usually close our pool the 3rd week of Sept. Every spring when opening we have algae but I'm a pro at clearing it up. I think the majority of the algae grows in the spring before I open. Probably starts in March and we don't open unit the 3rd week of May.

[lotusflo]

I was hoping you would mention warm climates like Florida because I was wondering if I would need to continue running the pump

[jamessaxton]

I have an 18ft coleman so I want to remove the lines and the pump for winter so I have to drain it 16 inches and install the plugs. Should i fill it back up some or will the 16 inches of liner be safe with the pool pillow and cover?

[jerrygeeraerts]

I closed my pool and since then my pool pillow has gone flat. Any suggestions on how to add one without removing the cover.

[dantecuzzolino]

I have an in ground vinyl pool and I’ve had to add water every other day. I had the pool checked for leaks and I was told I have an undetectable leak. It’s been a frustrating pool season with adding water and chemicals. Any idea what I can do ?