Swimming pools need care even in the winter.

An above ground swimming pool can bring us years of enjoyment as long as we take care of it in a responsible manner. The frigid, freezing temperatures of winter are the most ruthless adversaries to the pool and it’s equipment, so winterizing your above ground pool is essential if you have plans to use it again next summer.

The first, and perhaps most important step before you put your pool to bed, is to make sure the chemical balance of your water is correct. If it isn’t, corrosion or scale buildup might occur while the pool is shut down.

There are four basic water content levels that need to be checked:

• The pH should be between 7.2 – 7.6.

• Alkalinity should be 80 – 120 parts per million.

• The chlorine content should be 1 – 3 parts per million.

• The calcium hardness should be 175 – 250 parts per million.

All of these tests can be performed by purchasing a good test kits from your local pool supply store. Just follow the instructions and adjust the content accordingly.

The sides and floor of the pool need to be brushed down and vacuumed. If any kind of dirt or other foreign matter is left in the pool, stains might penetrate their way into the pool lining.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to add winterizing chemicals in the deep end. This will protect the water quality.

Your skimmer, filter and pump basket should be cleaned along with the cartridge filter elements and Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filter grids. Any sand filter you may have needs to be back-washed. Take your chlorinator and remove any remaining tablets from it. If these tablets are left in it, they could end up staining or bleaching your pool liner over the winter months, especially if the floater winds up resting against the side of the pool wall.

Check your filter tank, pump and other critical equipment for drain plugs. If you find them, go ahead and remove them to drain them of water. One additional thing you need to do after this is turn the pump on for just a few seconds so the impeller will blow any remaining water out of it. This will help protect your pump from being damaged when the water freezes. Place your drain plugs with your other stored equipment.

Depending on your personal preference, either drain the pool until the water level is below the water jets and skimmer, or insert a pool skimmer guard into the skimmer itself to protect it from damage when the water freezes. Freezing water will expand and damage or burst any piping that’s associated with your pool.

Place an air pillow in the center of the pool and tie it to the pool walls with a strong string. If the water freezes, it will expand toward the pillow rather than toward the pool walls. Were the water to expand toward the pool walls, the resulting pressure could end up bursting the side walls, and you’d end up with a real mess, not to mention a hefty repair tag to go along with it.

Cover the pool with a winter cover and secure it tightly so it won’t come off.

By following these procedures your pool should survive even the most brutal winter mother nature can throw at it. Be sure to double check the documentation of all your pool devices to be sure you’ve stored everything properly per their instructions.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.