Pool Closing FAQs: When Should I Close My Pool

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting crisper, and the pool water is getting cooler, which means summer is coming to a close. As excited as we are to start focusing on apple pies, cool fall hikes, and hitting the ski slopes, we also want to give summer the proper ending! Pool owners, especially during their first swim season, can find themselves wondering a few things here and there when it comes to closing the pool for the winter. Luckily, we have dipped and dived through countless pool closings and are here to make it simple for you! Here are our answers to some frequently asked questions about prepping and closing your pool for the winter:

What Month Should I Close My Pool?

For us in Upstate New York; we typically recommend closing your pool in late September. This gives you time to treat the water properly and let it cool down, which prevents algae growth under the cover. A rule of thumb our team likes to use is if your pool water is consistently below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Water Treatments Should I Put in My Pool Before Closing?

We recommend using the ClearView Poly Power 30 algaecide, Mineral Magnet, and Shimmer-N-Shock chlorine. The Poly Power 30 kills and prevents any algae, while the Mineral Magnet protects from stain and scale build-up, and the classic Shine N Shock chlorine keeps your water crystal clear! If you plan on closing your own pool, you can stop into our Alpin Haus locations in either Amsterdam or Clifton Park, where the pool team can get you exactly what you’ll need. You can also completely take your closing off your hands and book our team here, and we’ll come out and take care of your seasonal pool closing for you!

What are the Steps to Closing a Pool?

Once you see your water staying under that 65-degree-Fahrenheit threshold, you can go in for the close. Typically, you start with a full vacuum of your pool floor, making sure any leaves, dirt, and grime is out of there.

Now that your oasis is living up to its name, you can collect some water and bring it in to your local Alpin Haus pools location where we offer free computerized water testing! This way we can see what your pH, alkalinity, and other levels are looking like. After that, we can guide you to your water treatments, and you’ll be primed and seasoned for healthy, clear water.

As soon as you get back from testing your water and making sure you have everything you’ll need, you can drain some water out to prevent the skimmers from freezing over the winter. If you can get your water level to a few inches below the bottom of your skimmer, that is ideal. Once your water level is looking good, you can add your water treatments, and then you’re ready to go for your cover!

What is the Average Cost of Closing a Pool?

The cost of closing your pool truly depends on many different factors, such as your water health, pool size, pool type, and various other factors. If you’re interested in seeing how much it would cost to close your pool, you can reach out to us here and someone from our pool team will be in touch!

What Can I Do Over the Winter to Keep my Pool Healthy?

While your pool may not be looking as pretty out of your back window, it’ll still appreciate that TLC you give it. Making sure your water level doesn’t rise back up, and that your cover stays clear of branches and other outdoor derailments, is all the love your pool needs to stay thriving for spring.

If you have any other questions about how you can prep your pool for closing and keep it living good over the winter, feel free to stop by our Alpin Haus Pools locations, or you can reach out to us online! We’ll be right here if you want us to close your pool this season, or if you want to give us a shout when it’s time for opening!