How to Prepare Your Wooden Pool for Winter

When the swimming season comes to an end, preparing your pool for winter is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment. Low temperatures, freezing water and changing weather conditions can affect the pool structure, liner and filtration equipment if the pool is not prepared correctly. For wooden pools, winter preparation should cover more than cleaning the water and putting on a cover. The water level, filtration system, connections and wooden structure all require attention. Here is what pool owners should consider before winter and how pool dealers can help their customers prepare for the colder months.

Start by removing leaves and other larger debris from the water. Use the BACKWASH setting, designed to clean the filter by reversing the water flow. Lower the water level below the skimmer. Monitor the pump during the process and never allow it to run dry.

Important:  Switch off the pump before changing the filter valve setting!

Remove any remaining leaves, twigs and other debris from the pool. Clean the pool surfaces and the skimmer basket to prevent dirt and organic matter from remaining in the system throughout winter. Check the skimmer carefully and remove any residual disinfectant tablets or other chemical products. A clean pool is easier to prepare for winter and helps reduce the amount of debris left in the water during the off-season.

Check the water parameters and adjust them according to the recommendations for your pool and water-treatment system. If you use a winterising product, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and dosage. Do not exceed the recommended quantities or mix different products unless the instructions explicitly allow it. Never pour concentrated chemicals directly into the pool or onto the liner. Chemicals should generally be added through the skimmer basket, where appropriate for the product and filtration system.

Water left inside pipes, fittings or filtration equipment can freeze and cause damage. Once the pool water level has been lowered, prepare the entire system for winter.

-Switch off the filtration system and disconnect the power supply before carrying out any maintenance.
-Drain the pump, filter and relevant pipes to remove any remaining water.
-Remove the designated drain plugs and loosen the specified pipe connections where necessary to allow trapped water to escape.
-Insert the appropriate rubber plug and protect the skimmer and return inlet as instructed for your particular installation.
-Protect all relevant fittings and connections against water ingress and freezing.
-Disconnect and store the pump in a warm, dry place if required by the equipment instructions.
-Keep removed plugs and fittings in a safe place so they can be reinstalled when the pool is reopened.

Important: The location of the rubber plug and the connections that must be opened depend on the installed equipment. Do not remove every plug or loosen every pipe indiscriminately.

Place plastic bottles  in the pool to help absorb some of the pressure caused by ice expansion. This measure is part of the winterisation process and does not replace the need to drain and protect the filtration system.

Remove the internal ladder before winter. Clean it, allow it to dry and store it in a suitable place until the next swimming season. This helps protect the ladder from unnecessary exposure to winter conditions and keeps it ready for use when the pool reopens.

Once the pool has been prepared, secure a suitable winter cover according to its instructions. A cover helps limit the amount of leaves and other debris entering the pool during the off-season. However, it does not replace the need to prepare the water and filtration system correctly. Check the cover periodically throughout winter. Inspect it for damage and remove accumulated water or snow.

Proper winterisation helps pool owners protect their investment and prepare for the next swimming season. For dealers, it is also an opportunity to provide customers with clear, practical advice on caring for their pools throughout the year.

Would you like a practical checklist to guide your customers through the process? Contact your ABATEC sales representative to request the Before Winter Checklist.