Seasonal Pool Care /
How to Close an Inground Pool for Winter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Close an inground pool by cleaning it thoroughly, checking equipment, following the manual for water level and plumbing, and securing a winter cover before freezing weather.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Jul 4, 2026 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
Winterizing an inground pool
Properly closing an inground pool for the winter is a matter of cleaning the water and surfaces, checking over your equipment and putting in place a winter cover before any hard freezes set in. You will want to adhere to the pool and manufacturer manuals for the right shutdown procedure and water level. Rather than relying on guesswork, it is best to winterize in the sequence the equipment maker prescribes.
The first order of business
While you still have the pump running for filtration and circulation, get the pool as clean as you can. A spotless pool will not be prone to the algae, clogs or stains that can make themselves at home over the winter months.
Begin by skimming off leaves and what else is floating about. Give the walls, ladders, steps and fittings a good brushing, then vacuum up any dirt on the floor. Make sure the skimmer baskets and other debris traps are clear. But remember to switch off the pump before you open a service point; never put your hand into suction equipment while it is in operation.
Preparing the equipment with care
Before you shut everything down, take a close look at the visible plumbing, the return lines, skimmer, filter and the pool pump. Any cracks, leaks or loose fittings should be addressed. For the actual winterization and cleaning of each component – the pump strainer, backwash line, heater or salt chlorinator – you should follow the manufacturer’s manual to the letter.
If you are not certain how your system is plumbed or if the valves are not well marked, put in a call to a qualified pool pro. It is all too easy to do harm to a complex system by draining the wrong line.
Water levels and chemistry
Do not just lower the water on a hunch. How much you remove is dictated by the cover style, the skimmer and the design of the pool. Consult the instructions. As a rule of thumb:
- Only lower the water to the extent the manual says to.
- Put in rubber plugs only where they are called for.
- See that any plumbing that might hold water is protected from freezing.
Pools with an attached spa or special jets may require a different closing sequence since water left in a main drain or return line can freeze and ruin the plumbing.
As for the water itself, balance it properly before the cover goes on. There is no need to concoct a winter mix or combine products in a manner the label does not permit. Test the water and use your chemical product labels as your guide. Wear the appropriate PPE and put chemicals away in a dry spot out of reach of children and pets. Do not add anything based on hearsay.
Putting the finishing touches on
With the water and equipment in order, you can complete the job by shutting down the pump and associated gear as per the manual and stowing any accessories. Make sure the winter cover is fitted and anchored so that rain and debris have no way in. An uncovered pool is an invitation for freeze damage, and a poorly secured one will let in the elements. If you are not familiar with your cover system, stick to the installation instructions.
When to bring in an expert
There is no harm in calling a professional if the closing process seems more involved than a standard inground pool winterize job, or if you would rather not deal with the risk of costly freeze damage. You should also seek help if you have any doubts about when to close the pool, if there are leaks in the fittings, or if the pool is equipped with automation, a heater or a salt system.
Sources and further reading
- [Hayward: Weekly pool maintenance](https://www.hayward.com/maintenance/weekly-pool-maintenance)