Fall Pool Care
Pool Closing Checklist
for Long Island Pools
Closing your pool the right way protects it from freeze damage, algae, and a much harder — and pricier — opening next spring. Here's exactly what needs to happen before the cold sets in, and where a professional safety cover fits in.
A pool closed incorrectly doesn't just look bad over the winter — it costs real money. Unbalanced water etches plaster and stains liners. Water left in pumps and heaters can freeze and crack them. And a pool that sat open to leaves and debris all winter takes far longer, and far more chemicals, to open again in the spring. The steps below are the same ones our crews follow on every closing we do across Nassau County, Suffolk County, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
The Checklist
7 Steps to Close Your Pool Right
- 1. Balance the Water Chemistry — Test and adjust pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels a few days before closing. Water that's out of balance when you close will stay out of balance — and cause damage — all winter.
- 2. Clean the Pool Thoroughly — Skim, brush, and vacuum the entire pool. Anything left on the bottom or walls in the fall will still be there, worse, in the spring.
- 3. Lower the Water Level — Drop the water below the skimmer and returns so freezing water has room to expand without cracking pipes or fittings.
- 4. Drain and Blow Out Equipment — Empty the pump, filter, and heater, and blow out the lines. Trapped water is the single biggest cause of winter freeze damage.
- 5. Add Winterizing Chemicals — A proper winterizing chemical kit keeps algae from taking hold in a still, cold pool over several months.
- 6. Remove and Store Accessories — Ladders, skimmer baskets, and cleaning equipment should come out and be stored — they degrade faster left in a closed pool all winter.
- 7. Install a Proper Safety Cover — This is the step that protects everything else. A cover keeps debris and sunlight out, holds up under snow, and — unlike a loose tarp — actually acts as a barrier around the pool. See below.
The Cover Question
A Tarp Isn't a Safety Cover
DIY / Loose Tarp
Inexpensive and easy to buy — but it floats, sags, and collects standing water. It won't hold weight, so it does nothing to stop a child, pet, or adult from going through it. Most need replacing every season or two.
Professional Loop-Loc Cover
Custom-measured to your pool and mechanically anchored, a Loop-Loc safety cover is load-tested to hold the weight of two adults. It blocks debris, keeps the water chemistry stable all winter, and is one of the few coverings that actually functions as a barrier.
Get Started Today
Ready to Close Your Pool the Right Way?
Skip the guesswork. Call (631) 449-2174 or request a free quote and we'll handle your closing and safety cover installation from start to finish.