How to close your pool for an Indiana winter

Pool care · 3 min read

A good closing is the most important service your pool gets all year. Indiana winters bring hard freezes, and water left in the wrong place, in lines, pumps, filters, or heaters, expands as it freezes and can crack equipment and plumbing. A careful closing protects all of it, and makes spring opening faster, cleaner, and less expensive.

When to close

Many owners wait until the water stays consistently cool, around the mid-60s Fahrenheit, because algae grows far more slowly at those temperatures. Closing too early, on a warm stretch of early fall, gives algae weeks of warm water under the cover. Closing too late risks an early hard freeze before the lines are protected. Booking early in the season gives you the most choice of dates.

What a proper closing includes

• Balancing the water chemistry so the finish and equipment are protected while the pool sits.
• Cleaning the pool, skimming, brushing, and vacuuming, so debris is not left to stain over the winter.
• Lowering the water to the right level for your cover and skimmer setup.
• Clearing water from the plumbing lines and protecting them against freezing.
• Draining and protecting the pump, filter, heater, and other equipment.
• Securing a well-fitted winter or safety cover.

DIY or professional?

Some owners close their own pools, but the steps that matter most, clearing and protecting the lines and equipment, are also the easiest to get wrong, and mistakes only show up in spring. A professional closing follows a consistent checklist and spots problems, like a worn cover or a weeping fitting, while there is still time to plan.

Over the winter

• Keep the cover clear of heavy snow loads and standing water where your cover type calls for it.
• Check the cover after storms for gaps or damage.
• Keep pets and children away from the pool area, even with a cover in place.

Ready to schedule? See how our pool closing service works, or book your spring opening at the same time.