How to Prepare Your Pool for Winter?

Even the best pool season eventually comes to an end. To ensure your pool is ready for next summer, you should winterize it properly in time. The ideal outdoor temperature for winterizing your pool is between 15 and 12° Celsius. Below, we summarize the most important steps to prepare your pool for the winter season.

Pool Maintenance & Water Quality

1. Prepare the Water for Winterization

Outdoor pools typically remain filled with water over the winter. Even if you do not use your pool for months, the water should be treated properly to prevent algae growth and scaling on the pool liner.

• Adjust the pH level of the water to 7.0-7.4.
• Perform a shock chlorination to eliminate any existing contaminants and prevent them from persisting through the winter. Run your Yousky® sand filter system for several hours in filtration mode to distribute the chlorine evenly.
• Thoroughly clean your pool. To minimize cleaning efforts in spring, ensure the water is as clean as possible before winter. Leaves, dirt, and insects can be easily removed with a skimmer or pool vacuum. If needed, use a pool sponge to remove calcium deposits or dirt from the pool walls.
• Backwash the Yousky® sand filter system thoroughly (for about 5 minutes) and disinfect it with filter cleaning tablets. Alternatively, clean the cartridge filter.

2. Remove Pool Accessories and Connection Hoses

• Add winter protection chemicals to the water. Be sure to follow the dosage recommendations. Generally, a maximum of 0.5 liters per 10,000 liters of water is required. You can either pour the winterizing chemical directly into the skimmer or dilute it with a watering can and distribute it over the water surface. Running the Yousky® filtration system afterward ensures proper mixing of the product in the pool water. Note: Winterizing chemicals are not antifreeze agents; they primarily help facilitate spring cleaning. They prevent calcium and dirt deposits as well as algae growth.
• Lower the water level below the skimmer or return jets to a frost-safe level. Deeper connections should be sealed with an appropriate winter plug. Completely drain all frost-prone pipes and turn off all power switches.
• Remove all pool accessories, including solar covers, ladders, and the Yousky® sand filter system, along with any connected hoses, and drain them completely. It is crucial to ensure no water remains in the equipment or hoses, as freezing can cause damage. Store the Yousky® sand filter system and all accessories in a frost-free location.

3. Cover Your Pool

During winter, your pool should be protected with a durable, opaque winter cover. The cover should have sufficient overhang to protect not only the water surface but also the pool walls while preventing tension from snow or rain accumulation. It should be securely fastened using a steel cable and ratchet to ensure a firm hold in all weather conditions.

To prevent water or snow from accumulating on the cover, you can place a large air cushion under the winter cover. Alternatively, water accumulation can be safely and easily removed using a drain pump.

By following these steps, your pool will be well protected throughout the winter and will be easier to reopen when summer returns. If you have any questions about winterizing your pool, feel free to contact us via phone or our contact form. With Yousky®, pool maintenance is always simple and efficient!