Closing your pool is the best insurance you can buy against a costly spring. The goal is simple: leave the water balanced and clean, protect plumbing and equipment from freezing, and put a cover on that will carry a Connecticut winter. This is the checklist we use; our guide to winterizing an inground pool covers the plumbing steps in more detail.
When to Close a Pool in Connecticut
Close after the water temperature settles below roughly 65°F and before the main leaf drop. In Fairfield and Westchester that usually means late September to mid-October. Close too late and leaves and acorns are already in the water; close too early and algae can bloom under the cover during a warm spell in October.
The Closing Checklist
- 1 week before: test and balance the water, and clean the filter. Target pH 7.2 to 7.6, alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm, calcium hardness 200 to 400 ppm.
- Clean everything: skim, brush, and vacuum the pool so nothing is left for algae to feed on over winter.
- Shock the pool a day or two before closing so sanitizer residual is up when the cover goes on.
- Add winterizing chemicals: a winter kit with algaecide, stain and scale preventer, then run the pump to circulate it.
- Lower the water level to the level your cover manufacturer specifies; never drain a plaster, gunite or fiberglass pool.
- Blow out and plug the lines, or use the winterizing method your pool builder specifies, so no water sits in pipes below the frost line.
- Drain equipment: pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, and any hose, then store removable parts dry.
- Remove and store ladders, rails, baskets, and any accessories that can freeze or fade.
- Install the cover and secure it. Add a cover pump or check the one that is there so rain and melting snow do not pool on top.
Common Closing Mistakes
- Closing with a high chlorine level that is not stabilized, then letting it drop to nothing in November.
- Skipping the filter cleaning, so the filter holds dirt and bacteria all winter.
- Leaving some water in the pump, heater, or filter, which cracks them as it freezes.
- Putting the cover on a dirty pool: debris decays under it and the water is a swamp in April.
- Draining the pool “to be safe.” Empty plaster and fiberglass pools can float or crack from groundwater pressure.
Hot Tubs and Salt Systems
If you have a spa or a salt cell, add them to the checklist. Spas need to be drained, blown out, and covered or kept running (see how to winterize a hot tub). Salt cells should be cleaned, inspected, and stored dry or protected from freezing; see saltwater pool maintenance.
Let Us Do It
If you would rather skip the wet work, our pool closing service follows this checklist, and our winter pool maintenance plans keep an eye on covers through the cold months.
Closing Day, Hour by Hour
| Order | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Final test, then balance pH and alkalinity |
| 2 | Brush, vacuum, empty baskets, and clean the filter |
| 3 | Shock and add the winter chemical kit; circulate for a few hours |
| 4 | Lower water level, blow out lines, and plug them |
| 5 | Drain pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator; remove drain plugs and store them in the basket |
| 6 | Remove ladders, rails, and loose accessories |
| 7 | Install and secure the cover; set up the cover pump |
Cover and Cover Pump Tips
- Check cover straps and anchors for wear before the first snow.
- Do not let the water on top of a solid cover freeze solid; pump it down regularly.
- A mesh safety cover needs spring-tension adjustment after the first big storm.
- Rake or sweep heavy snow off, but never use a metal shovel on the cover.
Preparing for the Long Cold
Connecticut winters bring ice, snow load, and thaw cycles. A pool that is clean at closing needs only occasional checks. Walk around the cover after storms and make sure water is not pooling near the edge, anchors are tight, and the cover pump is working. If you see debris or tears, fix them before they let leaves and water into the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I run the pump all winter?
Not for a closed, winterized pool. Equipment is drained and the lines are plugged. If your pool stays open for winter, run it for freeze protection, per your equipment’s instructions.
What if I closed late and leaves are in the water?
Skim and vacuum as much as you can, balance and shock, and then close. A short delay costs less than leaving debris to rot under the cover.
Can I close the pool myself?
Yes, if you follow the steps in order. The two jobs that cost the most when done wrong are blowing out the lines and setting the water level for your cover type. If you are unsure, our pool closing service covers both.
Related Pool Care Guides
- Pool Maintenance in Connecticut: The Complete Homeowner Guide
- How to Winterize an Inground Pool in Connecticut
Need a Hand? Talk to Perfect Pools CT
Perfect Pools CT is a family-run, licensed and insured pool and hot tub service company serving Fairfield County and Westchester County. Call (203) 424-1258 or email [email protected] for a free quote, or see our pool and hot tub services, Fairfield County pool service and Westchester County pool service pages for what we cover in your town.