What’s your process for closing your pool for the season?

I clean everything thoroughly and make sure to run the filter for a few extra hours before covering it up. It helps prevent any weird smells when I open it back up.
 
Jake Perez said:
I always dread closing my pool for the season. Any tips to make it easier, especially dealing with debris?
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Closing the pool doesn’t have to be a headache. After doing this for years, here are a few tips that can make it a lot smoother, especially when it comes to debris:
  • Start early: A few days before closing, begin skimming, vacuuming, and brushing the pool thoroughly. This gives you time to deal with any lingering debris or cloudy water.
  • Use a leaf net first: Before putting on the winter cover, lay a leaf net over the pool for a few days. It’ll catch the bulk of falling leaves and junk then just lift it off.
  • Trim nearby trees: If you have trees hanging over the pool, give them a quick trim early in the season to minimize leaf drop.
  • Invest in a solid cover: A properly fitting pool cover (with water bags or a cable lock system) will keep most debris out and make opening in spring much easier.
  • Clean and store equipment right: Backwash the filter, clean the skimmer baskets, remove ladders, and store everything dry and safe.
A little prep goes a long way. The cleaner you close it, the cleaner you’ll open it, and that saves a lot of time (and frustration) later.
 
Closing the pool can feel like a chore, especially when you’re dealing with leaves and gunk. One thing that’s made a big difference for me is doing a thorough cleaning a day or two before I actually close it. I skim the surface, vacuum the bottom, and brush the walls. That way, I’m not sealing in a mess for the winter.

Another tip is to use a leaf net cover for the last week or two before closing. It catches all the late-season debris, and you can just pull it off before putting the winter cover on. Way less hassle than trying to scoop out soaked, rotting leaves right before covering.

Also, make sure you run your pump long enough the day you close, helps circulate any final chemicals and ensures water is clean and balanced before everything gets shut down. A clean start makes for an easier spring opening too.
 
Honestly, I often feel like I’d rather just wait for winter to pass and deal with the pool later. But with a few tricks, it might actually be more fun! Once you get the hang of it, it’s not as bad as it seems.
 
I like to throw a ‘leaf luau’ when I close my pool blast some ukulele tunes, skim out debris like I’m plucking flowers for a lei, then tuck the cover on like laying down a tropical mat. Somehow turning cleanup into a little party makes it fly by! Anyone else have a festive twist on closing day
 
I used to put off closing the pool too, but it got way easier once I settled into a simple routine. I start by doing one last deep clean, mostly so I’m not opening up to a science experiment in spring. After that, I check the water one more time and balance everything so it can sit clean over winter.

One thing that’s helped a lot with debris is lowering the water level first; it keeps the skimmers from collecting a mushy mess under the cover. I also give the cover a quick rinse before putting it on so dirt doesn’t slide into the pool when I pull it off next season.

Nothing fancy, just a few extra minutes now that save me hours when it’s time to reopen.
 
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