How To Close An Intex Above-Ground Pool For The Winter

Do you need to winterize your above-ground pool? Is this your first time closing the pool? Read on and I will share a step-by-step guide on closing and preparing your pool for the winter.

The weather is getting colder, and it’s time to say goodbye to the pool. We live in the Northeast and normally close the pool between September and October when the weather is consistently 65 degrees and below. We haven’t used the pool as often as I expected this year.

I told the kids that we’ll get rid of the pool if they won’t use it. I think it’s because we have access to the pool that they take it for granted. It takes a lot of time and money to maintain a pool. I don’t have the time or energy to take care of it now that I have a full-time job.

Honestly, by the end of the summer, I won’t be able to clean the pool consistently because we don’t use it anymore. The water gets too cold to swim in and we’re busy since my kids start school in September.

We’ve had yellow algae issues throughout the summer. I believe it’s because of two reasons – lack of chlorine and pH imbalance. This is my third year closing the pool and I’m not by no means an expert. But I’ve learned a lot through my experience in closing our above-ground pool.

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How To Close An Above-Ground Pool For Winter?

Clean the pool thoroughly.

I make sure that I vacuum the bottom of the pool and brush the walls. I skim all the bugs and leaves that are floating on the surface.

Backwash and rinse.

I turn off the Intex sand filter pump put it on backwash and let the water run until it’s clear. Then, turn off the pump. Turn on the rinse mode and wait until the water runs clear.

Balance the pH.

Use a pool test strip, and test the water. First, balance the alkalinity before adding the pH down or up. Test the water again to ensure that alkalinity and the pH are balanced.

Add shock, algaecide, and pool closing kit.

Add the recommended dose of shock and algaecide to your pool while the pump is running. Do not mix chemicals. I like to add the shock at night because the sun’s rays will reduce the effectiveness of the chlorine.

I bought an Aquapill from Amazon and threw it in the water when I closed the pool during the first year. It lasted until March and by April, algae started to bloom. I plan on buying a closing kit this year and see if that helps with the pool opening.

I talked to one of our contractors and he told me that his pool is always crystal clear in the spring because he uses a pool opening kit every year.

Drain water about 4-6 inches below the skimmer and jets.

This will prevent it from cracking and freezing in the winter. Never drain an above-ground pool completely because this will damage the pool’s vinyl liner.

Remove the ladder, pump, and hoses.

Put away all the hoses and the pool accessories in the storage. I take photos of the pump filter connections, this way I don’t have to read the manual on how to connect it in the spring. We have a big sand filter, so we decided to unplug and disconnect the hoses and leave the sand container because it’s too heavy to carry in and out of the basement.

Put on the pool pillow.

I use this pool pillow and I tie a rope on each side and make sure to install it in the center of the pool. Don’t inflate the pillow all the way so that it won’t pop when the water accumulates on top of the cover.

Cover the pool.

Our Intex pool cover came with ties and we secured it onto the pool panels which I love. Some people put a clear plastic wrap all around to make sure the cover stays in place. Check out YouTube for ideas.

I made the mistake of closing in September and I think it was a little too early. I’m going to wait until the weather is consistently 65 degrees or below before I close the pool. We sometimes get warm weather in October, so I want to make sure I don’t close the pool too early. Algae will bloom when the weather reaches above 65 degrees.