How to Close Your Pool for Winter the Right Way

How to Close Your Pool for Winter the Right Way

Introduction

The swimming season has ended but your pool needs proper winter preparation to safeguard it against harsh winter conditions. The proper winter closing process saves money and time when opening your pool in spring while protecting your equipment and pool surfaces and pipes from freezing damage and poor water conditions.

At Deep Blue, we provide everything you need to winterise your pool safely and easily—from tested winterising chemicals and covers to step-by-step guides, instructional videos, and expert customer support. This complete guide provides you with all the necessary steps to prepare your pool for winter so you can start spring with clear water and stress-free.

Why Winterising Matters

The improper closure of your pool during winter season results in three major problems:

Freezing water causes pipes to crack

Algae blooms and green water

Damaged pumps, filters, and heaters

Expensive repairs and replacement parts

A brief investment of time during winter preparation will reduce the amount of work you need to do when spring arrives.

When to Close Your Pool

You should close your pool when water temperature stays at or below 12°C (54°F). Early closure before the season ends leads to algae growth but waiting too long exposes your system to freezing damage.

Step-by-Step: How to Winterise Your Pool

1. Clean Your Pool Thoroughly

Start by skimming the pool surface to remove leaves and floating debris.

Use a Deep Blue pool brush to brush the walls and floor of the pool area.

A vacuum should be used to remove the dirt that accumulated at the pool bottom.

The use of Deep Blue’s durable customer-designed range of accessories will simplify and speed up this process.

2. Test and Balance Your Water

Proper water balance prevents scale, corrosion, and algae. Test your pool water for the following parameters and adjust with Deep Blue’s easy to measure balancers if necessary.

pH: 7.2–7.6

Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm

Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm

3. Shock the Water

Deep Blue Chlorine Shock or Non-Chlorine Shock can be used to kill bacteria and oxidise organic matter. The treatment prevents algae formation and maintains water clarity through winter months.

Tip: Shock the pool at dusk to prevent sunlight from breaking down the chemicals too quickly.

4. Add a Winter Algaecide

The Algaecide offers long-lasting protection against algae development. Deep Blue Winter Algaecide provides extended performance protection and safety for all pool surfaces.

5. Lower the Water Level

Empty your pool water so that it reaches 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) below the skimmer position. The water level should be kept low to stop freeze expansion from harming the skimmer or tile band. The waste filter mode or submersible pump operation should be selected.

6. Drain and Protect Equipment

Freezing damage can be prevented by completely draining your pump together with your filter and heater along with your chlorinators. Remove any drain plugs and store them indoors.

Disconnect hoses and return jets

Blow out the lines with a shop vac or air compressor

Plug inlets with winterising plugs

7. Add a Winterising Floater

Insert your Deep Blue Winter Floater into the pool water. These contain a blend of long-lasting sanitiser and scale inhibitors to maintain water quality during dormancy.

8. Cover Your Pool

Use a heavy-duty winter cover or safety cover. The cover should be securely fastened with no openings or tears present. A Deep Blue air pillow placed under the cover can help absorb ice expansion.

Using Deep Blue’s Winter Kits

Our winter closing kits combine all necessary items into single packages to simplify the process:

Shock treatment

Algaecide

Winter floater

pH adjusters

Instructions with simple, safe dosing

Each kit is designed for pools of different sizes and includes our scientifically tested formulations to ensure the best winter protection available in the UK market.

Low-Emission Delivery and Eco-Friendly Options

All Deep Blue winter products come in recyclable packaging which gets shipped through low-emission delivery methods to reduce environmental effects.
We also offer chlorine-free winterisers and biodegradable options for eco-conscious pool owners.

Expert Support and Seasonal Guides

Not sure about something? Visit our website for:

Video tutorials showing each step of the closing process

Downloadable winterising checklists

You can get expert help via our contact form or live chat.

Our team is always here to help with fast, reliable answers tailored to your setup.

Save with Deep Blue

Our loyalty programme rewards you for smart maintenance. When you purchase a winter kit or seasonal chemical bundle, you earn points and unlock:

Exclusive discounts

Free seasonal guides

Early access to spring opening deals

Conclusion

The proper closing of your pool can make all the difference when spring returns. With Deep Blue’s comprehensive winterising range, expert advice, and customer-first approach, you can rest easy knowing your pool is protected from the cold, algae, and costly repairs.

Use our complete winter closing kits, eco-friendly options and expert support to make pool care easier, safer, and more sustainable. We’re with you every season of the year.

FAQs

Can I close my pool without draining it?

Yes, but you’ll still need to lower the water level slightly and treat it properly with winter chemicals.

Do I need to remove all pool equipment?

You should disconnect, drain, and store anything that could freeze and crack — including pumps, filters, heaters, and pipes.

How do I prevent algae in winter?

Use Deep Blue Algaecide and Shock as part of your winter kit. A good cover and floater also help.

Is non-chlorine winter care effective?

Yes. Our oxygen-based products offer powerful protection without the harshness of chlorine.

What size winter kit do I need?

Check our product guide or contact our support team. Kits are available for pools from 5,000 to 50,000 litres and above.