Pool Closing near you

A closing runs roughly in the reverse order of an opening, with one difference: every step aims to get water out of the places that can freeze, and nothing is put away wet.

Freeze damage rarely shows in the fall. A line that still held water, a skimmer left full or a pump with its drain plug in can crack over the winter, and the problem only surfaces in spring as a leak, a pump that won't prime or a soggy patch in the yard. Underground lines are the hardest to repair, since reaching a break can mean cutting into the deck.

A pool technician brings a blower, plugs and fittings that match your equipment, and knows how far each type of pool should be lowered. Many also note the condition of the liner, the cover and the equipment at closing, which leaves the winter to plan repairs instead of scrambling in the spring rush.

Water left in the pool keeps changing under the cover, especially during mild spells in fall and spring. Balancing it before closing and adding a winterizing treatment, such as a shock, an algaecide or a winterizing kit used as the labels direct, limits algae and staining and protects the surfaces. The right products depend on the sanitizing system and the pool finish, so ask the technician what they use and why.

Leftover chemicals need a safe place for the winter. Health Canada's advice applies: keep them tightly closed in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets. The Quebec government adds that pool chlorine belongs somewhere cool, dry, ventilated and out of the sun, and never near acids.

Both keep debris out of the water, but they are built for different jobs. Whichever you choose, keep the enclosure and its gate in working order all winter: a cover adds to the fence, it doesn't replace it.

How far the water comes down, and how the lines are protected, depend on the type of pool. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your model, since lowering the water too far can damage some pools.

Timing is a trade-off. Close too early and warm fall days can let algae take hold under the cover; close too late and a hard frost can reach water still sitting in the lines and equipment. The usual target is after swimming ends and the water has cooled, but before the first stretch of sustained freezing weather.

Leaves matter too. Closing before the trees drop them means more debris on the cover; closing after means more to skim out first. Either way, book ahead, because closing schedules tighten as the first frost warnings arrive. If a cold snap hits before the pool is closed, keep the pump running so the water keeps moving, and call your technician.