Closing your swimming pool properly before winter is one of the most important maintenance tasks of the year. Winterizing your pool is essential for protecting it from the harsh freeze-thaw cycles experienced during Southern Ontario winters. Ponds for People Pools & Spas has some tips for homeowners closing their own pool, as well as offers professional pool closing for a hands-off, worry-free closing.

 

1. Wait for the Right Water Temperature

Don't close your pool too early.

• Close when the water stays below 15°C (60°F).
• Closing while the water is still warm encourages algae growth under the cover.
• Closing too late increases the risk of freezing before winterization is complete.

 

2. Thoroughly Clean the Pool

Any dirt or debris left in the pool all winter becomes food for algae and bacteria.

Before closing:

• Vacuum the pool
• Brush walls and floor
• Empty skimmer baskets
• Clean pump baskets
• Remove leaves and debris

A clean pool is much easier to open in the spring.

 

3. Balance the Water Chemistry

Never close a pool with unbalanced water.

Most sources recommend maintaining your pH, alkalinity, and calcium in a prescribed range, but this fails to account for the water becoming more corrosive and calcium-hungry as the water gets colder. Water temperature matters! Planning in advance for the colder temperatures is key to maintain a balanced calcium saturation (LSI or Langelier Saturation Index) and avoid damage to your pool's liner or other surfaces. Pool chemistry calculator and tracking applications like The Orenda Calculator® make proactive pool maintenance easier than ever.

Balanced water helps prevent:

• Scale formation
• Corrosion
• Metal staining
• Liner damage during winter

4. Shock the Pool

Shock the pool after balancing the chemistry.

This helps eliminate:

• Bacteria
• Organic contaminants
• Early algae growth

Allow the pump to circulate the water long enough for the sanitizer to disperse before moving to the next step.

 

5. Add Winter Chemicals

A quality winterizing kit can help keep water cleaner until spring.

Common winter chemicals include:

• Winter algaecide
• Stain and scale preventer (metal sequestrant)
• Enzyme treatment (optional)

Avoid adding products that aren't compatible with your sanitizer or pool surface.

Our winter closing kit includes a combo chlorine and oxidizing shock, stain and scale preventer, and algaecide. We also stock WinterPill, delivering enzymes and stain and scale prevention in a long-lasting, slow release design. See us in store for all your winterizing chemical needs!

 

6. Lower the Water Level

Lower the water according to your cover type and manufacturer's recommendations.

Typically:

• Below the skimmer for most winter covers
• Do not completely drain an inground pool

Too little water can damage liners, while too much can interfere with proper winter cover installation.

 

7. Winterize All Plumbing Lines

This is the most critical step in Southern Ontario.

Every plumbing line should be:

• Blown out using a high-volume air compressor or pool blower
• Plugged after clearing
• Protected with pool-grade antifreeze where appropriate

Lines that still contain water can freeze, expand, and crack underground plumbing, often leading to expensive spring repairs.

 

8. Protect Your Equipment

Proper equipment winterization prevents costly damage.

Remember to:

• Drain the pump
• Remove pump drain plugs
• Drain the filter
• Empty the heater
• Drain chlorinators or salt cells
• Store drain plugs and pressure gauges in the pump basket
• Turn off breakers supplying pool equipment

Any water left inside equipment can freeze and crack expensive components.

 

9. Install a Secure Winter Cover

A properly fitted winter cover helps keep debris out while protecting the pool.

Before winter:

• Remove ladders and handrails
• Inspect safety cover anchors are in good condition
• Repair any tears
• Keep leaves off the cover throughout the fall

A secure cover also improves spring water quality.

 

10. Don't Forget the Final Inspection

Before walking away for the winter, double-check:

✔ Pump drained
✔ Filter drained
✔ Heater drained
✔ Plumbing blown out
✔ Winter plugs installed
✔ Skimmer protected
✔ Chemicals added
✔ Cover secured

Taking a few extra minutes now can save thousands of dollars in repairs later.

 

DIY vs. Professional Pool Closing

Many homeowners successfully close their own pools every year, but mistakes can be expensive. Improperly winterized plumbing, forgotten drain plugs, incorrect water chemistry, or inadequate equipment drainage can result in cracked pipes, damaged pumps, broken filters, and costly spring repairs.

Let the Professionals Handle It

If you'd rather avoid the stress and uncertainty, Ponds for People Pools & Spas offers professional pool closing services throughout Waterloo and surrounding areas.

Our experienced technicians take care of every step, including:

• Complete water chemistry evaluation
• Proper winter chemical treatment
• Equipment shutdown and winterization
• Professional plumbing line blowout
• Pool-grade antifreeze where required
• Installation of winter plugs and gizmos
• Winter cover installation
• Final inspection to ensure your pool is protected for the season

With Ponds for People Pools & Spas, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your pool has been winterized correctly—helping prevent costly freeze damage and making spring opening easier.

Skip the hassle. Skip the guesswork. Let Ponds for People Pools & Spas make your pool closing simple, professional, and worry-free.