When the water has completely drained out of the plumbing lines (or after you've blown out the lines), put winterizing plugs into the return and skimmer lines. Add non-toxic pool antifreeze to all lines. This specialized antifreeze should be added at the rate of one gallon per 10 feet of pipe.
You really only need one chemical (algaecide) to properly winterize a swimming pool. You need some other stuff to protect your pool from harsh winter conditions, but only one chemical to add when closing.
you will need one gallon of non-toxic swimming pool antifreeze for each 25 feet of underground line to and from the pool (including all skimmer lines, all returns, and the main drain).
Do not use antifreeze in your pool equipment as the salts and glycol can react harshly with both the metal and rubber components causing damage to them. Antifreeze also reacts dangerously with chlorine so refrain from adding it to a chlorinator. Don't add antifreeze to any of your pool equipment.
Before you winterize your above ground pool, make sure you've got the necessary supplies: Winterizing chemical kit or pH increaser, Alkalinity increaser, Calcium hardness increaser, Pool shock, and Algaecide. Clarifying enzyme supplement (optional, but recommended)
Several days before closing, shock the pool with a chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock, using at least 2 lbs per 10,000 gallons (follow package directions). Allow the chlorine level to return to 1.0-3.0 ppm before adding any winter algaecide or your pool cover.
By simply adding algaecide to your water prior to closing, you can prevent algae growth from occurring during the cold, winter months which makes for an easier opening in the spring. You can apply algaecide directly to the pool water and allow the pump to continue to circulate for approximately two to four hours.
Swimming pool antifreeze, also called non-toxic antifreeze, is the same stuff that RV owners can use in their motor home water systems. For swimming pool use, it can protect swimming pool pipes down to -40°, when added in correct proportion.
Shocking the pool during the winter months can certainly help to avoid a green swamp-like pool in the spring. It's often recommended. However, poor water balance or improper application can lead to unintended consequences, such as discoloration and damage to pool surfaces.
Algaecide should be used after each shock treatment, so it has a better chance to support your chlorine as it works its magic. Be sure to shock your pool first, then when the chlorine levels of your pool return to normal, add the correct amount of algaecide to several places around your pool while your pump is running.
Shocking kills any bacteria that might linger in your pool during the winter. We recommend shocking a few days before you close the pool. If that is not possible, make sure to shock the pool the night before you close it for winter.
Automotive antifreeze is toxic. Ethylene glycol should never be used in winterizing a skimmer or pool. To winterize a skimmer, just pour pool antifreeze into the skimmer. For other pipes, you can introduce the antifreeze with a funnel and hose setup.
First, balance total alkalinity because it's like an umbrella measurement that can help protect pool conditions and keep chemicals levels in check. Raise total alkalinity with baking soda or soda ash and lower total alkalinity with muriatic acid. Aim to get total alkalinity to a range of 80 to 120ppm.