Winterizing Your Swimming Pool: A Beginner’s Guide

swimming pool

We will explain to you how to make your pool really winter-proof, provided it is a so-called winterproof pool – i.e. a model that can be wintered outside. Our instructions show you step by step on how to winterize the pool and what is important. There are lots of tips from us that have proven themselves in practice.

When it rains acorns and chestnuts from the trees, autumn has come. Not long now and he will be driven away from winter. The bathing season is over for normal bathers. For your pool, which you may even have bought in our online shop, this means: It’s time to make it winter-proof so that you can splash and swim in it again in the coming summer.

What is the difference: winterized pool vs. summer pool?

When you buy a garden pool, you decide whether you want to leave your pool in the garden all year round or just set it up for the bathing season and then spend the winter in a sheltered place. Winter-proof pools are designed, for example, thanks to robust steel walls, so that temperature changes, frost and winter precipitation do not affect them.

The rule is: only the hardy pools remain in the garden in winter. Non-winter-proof garden pools (pure summer pools), on the other hand, which usually only have steel frames, must be stored dry and frost-free in winter, for example in the storage room in your garden house or in the winter-proof garage.

When is the right time to winterize the pool?

Your garden pool should definitely be winterized before the first frost. This ensures that it does not suffer any frost damage. The best time to winterize your pool is when the swimming season is over, and you are sure that it will now be cooler, and that autumn will slowly come in.

Leaving water in the pool: yes, or no?

For winter-proof pools (also called outdoor pools), it is generally the case that they always overwinter with water in the pool. Because the water present in the pool protects the lining of the pool not only from winter weather but also from pollution. But: If you leave the water in the pool over the winter, you have to prepare it for its protective function as well as possible. And it works like this:

Winterizing the pool – instructions and practical tips

In the following, we will show you step-by-step instructions that you should take to heart when preparing your pool for the winter. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the pool, and in the worst case, the pool will become unusable.

Winterizing the pool – step 1: cleaning the pool

The pool water should be clean for the winter. For you, it means thoroughly cleaning the pool (walls and floor). In the simplest case, this can be done with a special pool sponge and the appropriate cleaning agents against lime and dirt. Are you the owner of a cleaning robot? Then use it to winterize the pool! Our guide to pool cleaning shows you exactly how it’s done. Get more information about pool inspection.

Winterizing the pool – step 2: cleaning the pool water

Clean the pool water as you normally would. Leaves and branches can be fished out of the water with a landing net.

Our tip: get water toys, ladders, hoses, mobile pool lights, filters and pumps out of the water, clean and dry them and store your accessories in winter-proof storage.

Winterizing the pool – Step 3: Winterizing the water

The water in the pool should be chemically prepared for wintering in order to prevent unwanted calcium deposits and algae formation. Three values ​​are particularly important:

Set the correct TA value

Determine the current TA value (TA stands for the English expression “Total Alkalinity”, in German: “Total alkalinity”). This can be done with standard test strips or electronic measuring devices. The TA value provides information about the ability of the pool water to compensate for a varying pH value. At best it is between 100 and 150 ppm. To reach this target value, you can increase or decrease the current TA value.

Our tip: The former can be achieved with sodium hydrogen carbonate or a special pH plus agent. For the latter, reach for dilute hydrochloric acid or sodium bisulfate. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging!

Set the correct pH

Next, measure the pH of the pool water. For example, with control strips that you can get at the pharmacy. The pH should be between 7.0 and 7.4 at best. Higher pH values ​​quickly lead to limescale deposits, while water with a lower pH value attacks metallic pool parts and mortar in joints.

You can set the pH target value with commercially available pH value reducers and increases, which are available in granulated, powdered or liquid form.

Set the correct chlorine value

The third in the league is the chlorine value. The target value is 0.3 to 0.6 mg / l for so-called free chlorine and a maximum of 0.2 mg / l for combined chlorine. Higher chlorine values ​​can lead to corrosion of stainless-steel pool components. Lower ones are not effective enough against bacteria and layers that the pool water tips over The obviously deteriorated water quality quickly becomes noticeable with a very bad smell.

Our tip: In stores, you will also find special additives, also called winter agents, that you can add to the water in your pool in addition to the chemicals mentioned above. They suppress the growth of algae and reduce limescale loss. Attention: The winter agents are not antifreeze agents!

Winterizing the pool – step 4: lowering the water level

When there is frost, the pool water in your pool freezes to ice. The volume expands in the process. If there is not enough space in the pool for this, the ice presses on the pool walls and also into pipes, which can be damaged in the process. Therefore, you should definitely drain some pool water. You can do this with a vacuum cleaner or a submersible pump. At best, the water is then 10 cm below the deepest nozzle or the skimmer (dirt collecting device).

Our tip: In stores, you can also get so-called ice pressure pads, which are supposed to prevent pressure damage. They come either to the pool walls or once in the middle like a diameter through the pool. In addition, the pads help the ice to thaw faster in spring. An inexpensive alternative to the commercially available ice pressure pads made from home remedies is presented in the video:

Winterizing the pool – Step 5: Cover the pool

Finally, you should cover the pool. Not only to keep dirt off but above all: extra water. The protective cover, available for sale as a very inexpensive pool tarpaulin or pool cover or more expensive inflatable pool tarpaulin, fits best when it fits your pool exactly. More luxurious covers, such as sliding halls or roll protection, add additional functions to cover, for example, child safety at the pool.

Therefore, ask for a custom-fit protective cover when purchasing the pool. This should be easy to attach to the pool. Otherwise, the autumn and winter storms would blow them away. Or the hood would be under the weight of rainwater; Snow or meltwater slide into the pool.

Our tip: check the winterized pool regularly. So you can intervene in good time if the protective coverslips and the pool water level rises undesirably as a result.

You will thus know the procedure for winterizing the pool. And should, if possible, take action before the first frost sets in. I wish you success!

Are you looking for additional inspiration around swimming pools in the garden? Then take a look at our Pinterest board about the garden house and pond. On Pinterest we have also put together a large number of beautiful boards on the subject of houses, gardens and garden shed for you.