Pool closing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool closing is

Pool closing cleans and balances the pool, lowers the water, drains and protects the equipment, and puts a cover on for the cold months. People hire it in the fall, before the first freeze, so the pool and its plumbing come through winter without cracking or growing algae.

Signs you need it

  • Nights are getting colder and the swim season is ending in your area
  • The pump, filter or heater will sit unused until spring
  • You have an old cover that needs to be measured, fitted or replaced
  • Leaves and debris are falling in faster than you can skim them off
  • Past winters brought cracked lines, pump damage or algae when the pool was left open

What the pro does

  • Clean the pool walls, floor and waterline, and vacuum out the debris
  • Balance the water and shock it so it stays clean through the cold months
  • Lower the water to the level the cover and skimmer require
  • Drain the pump, filter, heater and lines, and blow out the return and skimmer lines
  • Add winterizing products suited to the pool and equipment, and install the plugs and skimmer covers
  • Secure the cover with the right anchors, water tubes or straps and check the tension

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the pool and the debris and algae to clean out before closing
  • Type of cover, such as a safety cover or a solid winter cover, and how it is anchored
  • Equipment to drain and winterize, including the heater, cleaner and any automatic chlorinator
  • Number of plumbing lines and the access needed to blow them out
  • Whether the water must be lowered by pumping, and how much water has to come out
  • Condition of the cover, anchors and straps, and whether replacements are needed

What a written quote should spell out

  • The steps for cleaning, balancing, lowering the water, draining and covering
  • Which winterizing products will be used, and the reason for each
  • Whether lines are blown out with compressed air, and who does it
  • Parts supplied, such as plugs, gaskets, straps, water tubes or skimmer covers
  • Cover inspection results and any repair or replacement recommended
  • What you should check during winter, such as the cover after storms

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you blow out the lines, and what equipment do you use for it?
  • Which winterizing products do you use, and how do they match my equipment?
  • How do you secure the cover so it does not blow off or sag under snow?
  • Will you check the heater and pump for damage before you drain them?
  • What water level do you recommend for my pool, and why?
  • What should I do with the cover and the equipment during winter?
  • Do you check the pool and cover after big storms or in the middle of winter?

Red flags

  • They skip the line blow-out, which leaves water in the plumbing to freeze and crack
  • They drain the pool without checking the water level or the cover type
  • They put the cover on loose, with no anchors or water tubes
  • They will not explain which winterizing products they use or why
  • They recommend a new cover before showing you any damage

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean the surface, pull leaves off the cover, and remove the skimmer basket, pump basket and any loose equipment. Do not drain or blow out the heater, pump or lines yourself, and do not work on any electrical or gas connection, because those need a pro. Call a pro for draining, blowing out lines, winterizing products and cover installation.

Licenses and permits

Pool closing is usually routine service work, and it may fall under the same pool service or chemical handling rules as opening. Check with your state or local licensing agency, and make sure any electrical or gas disconnection is done by a licensed trade where the rules require one.

Pool closing questions

When should I close my pool?

Close the pool when the water temperature drops and the swim season is over in your area, usually before the first hard freeze. Ask the pro for a window that fits your local weather.

Do I need to lower the water all the way?

No. The pro will tell you the right level for your cover and skimmer. Lowering too far can damage the liner or the wall, so follow the level the pro gives you.

Can I leave the cover on all winter?

Yes, if the cover is installed correctly and checked after storms. Check the anchors and water level through the winter, and call the pro if the cover sags, tears or collects heavy water or snow.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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