Winterize Your Pool the Right Way: Equipment & Chemical Prep
As the temperatures drop and swim season winds down, it’s essential to start preparing your pool for winter. If you're wondering how to winterize your pool correctly, it’s not just about covering it up and walking away. Proper winterization protects your plumbing, pump, filter, and water quality—saving you time and money when it’s time to reopen next season.
Whether you’re closing a residential pool in mild weather or preparing a larger system in a colder region, taking the right steps now helps avoid freeze damage, scale buildup, and equipment failure. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential winter pool prep, what equipment parts to inspect, and how to use our in-store tools to find the exact parts and chemicals you need.
Check and Maintain Filter Equipment Before Storage
Your filter is a major component that needs attention before winter sets in. Whether you use a DE, cartridge, or sand filter, winterizing your pool means inspecting the internal parts to ensure they’re clean, sealed, and ready for dormancy.
Start by backwashing your filter or rinsing off cartridges. If you use DE filters, consider using a grid cleaning chemical to remove oils and buildup before storage. Dirty or damaged grids can harden over winter and reduce effectiveness in the spring.
Also inspect the o-rings, drain plugs, and filter lids and find replacements if needing from our Filter Parts Collection. Aging or cracked components can allow air and water to leak in, causing winter freeze damage.
Don’t Forget Pump Seals and Lids
When preparing to winterize your pool, your pump system needs just as much attention. You can find all of our pump parts in the Pump Parts Collection Check the motor shaft seal for wear—especially if you're draining the pump or letting it sit unused for months. It’s also smart to check the pump lid o-ring and replace it if it’s stretched or cracking.
If your system is older or prone to leaks, now’s the time to replace any worn parts. A clean pump and tight seals reduce the chance of moisture getting trapped and freezing inside.
Use the Replacement Parts Search Tool for Precision
Not sure which seals or gaskets your equipment uses? We’ve made it easy. Just visit our homepage and enter your pump or filter model into our Replacement Parts Search Tool. You’ll get access to an interactive diagram with labeled parts, so you can quickly locate and replace worn components.
This tool is especially useful before winterization because it lets you handle proactive repairs while everything’s dry and accessible—no guesswork needed.
Cover Up with Midwest Solar Blankets
One of the easiest and most effective ways to winterize your pool is by using a high-quality cover. If you live in the Midwest or face cooler temps, our Midwest solar blankets help retain residual warmth in the water, prevent debris from entering, and reduce algae growth during the off-season.
These covers are ideal for both above-ground and in-ground pools and help cut down on the cleanup effort in spring.
MidWest Extra Heavy-Duty Blue Solar Pool Cover Blanket | Rectangle
$34.99
The MidWest Rectangular Blue Solar Pool Cover Blanket is an essential accessory for pool owners aiming to enhance energy efficiency and maintain comfortable swimming temperatures. Crafted from durable resin material with a thickness of 12 mil, this cover features thousands… read more
Custom Spa Covers for Cold-Weather Protection
If you own a spa or hot tub that won't be in use over winter, protect it with a custom-made spa cover. These insulated covers are designed to fit snugly, trap heat, and block out debris—even in snowy conditions.
Besides reducing heat loss, a strong spa cover prevents pets, kids, or falling branches from damaging the shell.
Custom Spa and Hot Tub Cover | Made to Order
$599.99
Our custom spa and hot tub covers are made to order with 28oz marine-grade vinyl, designed with mildew inhibitors and UV-stabilized coloring to resist fading. The double-sided solid cover liner is chemically treated on both sides to prevent damage from… read more
Maintain Balanced Water Chemistry Before Closing
Before you winterize your pool, it’s critical to ensure the water is properly balanced. Imbalanced water—especially high calcium or low alkalinity—can lead to scale buildup, liner stains, and plaster damage over winter.
Use our Chemicals Collection to find the exact products you need to stabilize pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. A final treatment with a phosphate remover or algaecide also helps prevent spring startup problems.
Not sure how much product to add? Use our Pool Volume Calculator and Pool Chemistry Calculator on the site to determine your exact dosage needs.
Extra Steps to Winterize Your Pool Like a Pro
Blow out and plug return lines if you live in a freeze zone. Trapped water can expand and crack pipes.
Lower your water level to avoid ice damage at the skimmer.
Store removable ladders or rails in a dry place to prevent corrosion.
Remove and clean pool cleaners like suction or pressure-side bots before putting them in storage.
Each of these tasks might seem small, but skipping them can lead to costly spring repairs.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead to Protect Your Pool Investment
Taking the time to winterize your pool now helps prevent long-term damage and gets your equipment ready for a smooth spring reopening. From checking seals and lids to balancing chemistry and securing with proper covers, winterizing is about being proactive.
Visit Wholesale Pool Mart for everything you need to prep your system, including replacement seals, backwash hoses, winter chemicals, spa covers, and solar blankets. With the right tools and steps, you’ll have peace of mind all season long.
