Winterize an Above Ground Pool

When it is to cold to swim and time to winterize your above ground pool, this is what I do.  I top off the water and cover the pool with my winter cover.  For the rest of the winter it is just a once a week thing to pull the cover back a little, add some chlorine and run my filter in the circulate mode for a few hours.  Once the outdoor temperature cools down that's about all the maintenance an above ground pool needs.

Keep in mind I live in Arizona.  In the valley of the sun.  To winterize an above ground pool in colder climates you have just a few more concerns.  Here are some tips for the colder climates.  Lower the water level to about six inches below the skimmer.  You should also unhook your filter equipment and store in a save place for the winter.  I would also advise using floats under your pool cover to keep some of the rain water out of your pool. 

The nice thing about vinyl lined pools is that they require so little maintenance during the winter.  The vinyl, being non porous, requires much less upkeep than an in ground pool.  Allow for an early start in the spring to top off the water, do some vacuuming and stabilize your chlorine and you will be swimming when the weather permits.