When the winter weather arrives, you need to take care of your pool to make sure that it is ready to go for the next swimming season. While the process of winterizing a pool might seem difficult and complicated, it is helpful to have a step by step guide that you can follow to make sure that your pool is closed quickly and easily. Start Pool Closing Prep Early No matter what type of pool you have, the important tip is to start closing your pool early. One week prior to the closing date, it is important to add some phosphate remover to the pool. This will strip phosphate from the pool and keep algae out of the water. This will prevent algae blooms from accumulating. Furthermore, you should wait to close the pool until the water temperature is below 65 degrees. If you close the pool down too early, then algae might end up growing. Pool Closing Begins With Pool Cleaning Next, you need to make sure that you  clean your pool before you close it. When you take the time to clean the pool ahead of time, you will not only prevent algae from growing in the pool but you will make life easier when you open the pool next spring. Skim the surface of the pool, brush the sides, and vacuum the pool thoroughly. In addition to cleaning the pool, you need to make sure that you shock it as well. Shocking the pool will kill any bacteria that might feel like lingering around in the pool during the winter. Shock the pool a few days before you close it for the winter. Remember to backwash the pool filters as well. Let the pool pump run for a full cycle before you backwash it. Then, backwash the pool and chemically clean the pool filter to make sure that it is clean when you close it. The Pool Water Level and Chemistry For Pool Closing Remember that there is a chance that the water in your pool might start to freeze. To prepare for this, you need to keep the water at least four inches below the tip of the vinyl line (for vinyl pools) or tile line (for fiberglass and concrete pools). also, remember to balance the  pool chemistry. Use a test kit to make sure the alkalinity is between 80 and 120 ppm. The pH should be around 7.4. Pool Closing - Drain the Pool Lines Next, you need to make sure that you drain the pool lines. Remember that water is going to expand when it freezes. This is why we are keeping the level in the pool below the top. If water freezes and expands in your pool lines, the lines might rupture. This could lead to a very expensive repair bill. There is usually a drain plug that you can remove to allow the water to drain out. Make sure that you drain the pool heater, pool filter, and pool pump as well. Once you have drained everything, add pool anti-freeze. This is going to be important for protecting your pool’s system during the cold winter months. Pool Closing - Cover the Pool Finally, you need to make sure that you install a winter cover as well. Protect your pool by using a secure pool cover. No matter what type of pool you have, you need to make sure that it is tightly sealed along the edges of the pool. The best type of cover is a safety cover. This will keep out winter storm debris since it is anchored to the pool deck. Furthermore, safety covers will protect against people and pets from falling in the water as well. You need to think about the type of safety cover you want to use. Winter covers and leaf nets might protect against debris but will not protect people and pets from falling in. Check for New Pool Products from Dunn Rite Pool Products Once you have winterized your pool, take a look at your equipment. This might include pool volleyball and pool basketball products. Think about what type of equipment you might need to replace. Dunn Rite Pool Products has you covered if you are looking for new equipment for the next pool season! Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball