Closing your pool the right way is one of the most important things you can do for its long-term health. A proper winterization protects your plumbing and equipment from freeze damage, prevents algae from taking over while the pool sits idle, and makes your spring opening dramatically easier.

In Northwest Arkansas, we typically see our first hard freeze sometime in November — but temperatures can dip below freezing as early as late October. Don't wait until the last minute.

The general rule is to close when your water temperature consistently stays below 60°F. At that temperature, algae growth slows significantly, which means your closing chemicals will hold up better through the winter.

In NWA, that usually means closing sometime between mid-October and early November. Closing too early — when the water is still warm — means algae can still grow under your cover and you'll have a mess in spring.

About a week before closing, test and balance your water. You want everything dialed in before you add closing chemicals:

• pH: 7.4–7.6
• Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 175–225 ppm
• Chlorine: 1–3 ppm

Balanced water going into winter means less corrosion on your equipment and surfaces, and less work to rebalance in spring.

The night before you close, shock the pool with a double dose of chlorine shock. Let the pump run overnight so the shock circulates fully.

The next day, add your winterizing chemical kit. These typically include:

• Algaecide — prevents algae growth over winter
• Stain and scale preventer — protects surfaces and equipment from mineral deposits
• Enzyme treatment — breaks down organic contaminants that accumulate over winter

Add these with the pump running and let them circulate for a few hours before shutting the system down.

Lower the water level below the skimmer and return lines. How far you lower it depends on your cover type:

• Solid safety cover: Lower 12–18 inches below the skimmer
• Mesh safety cover: Lower 3–6 inches below the skimmer
• Standard winter cover: Lower 4–6 inches below the skimmer

Don't drain the pool completely — water in the pool actually helps protect the shell from ground pressure and freeze damage.

This is the most critical step for freeze protection in NWA. Water left in your plumbing lines will freeze, expand, and crack pipes — repairs that can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Use a shop vac or air compressor to blow water out of every line: skimmer lines, return lines, main drain lines, and any other plumbing. Once each line is clear, plug it with a winterizing plug (available at any pool supply store).

Add pool antifreeze to any lines you couldn't fully clear — use only pool-grade antifreeze, never automotive antifreeze, which is toxic.

Pump: Remove the drain plugs from the pump housing and volute. Store them somewhere you'll find them in spring (tape them to the pump lid is a classic trick).

Filter:

• Sand filter: Set the valve to "winterize" or remove the drain plug
• Cartridge filter: Remove and clean the cartridge, store it indoors
• DE filter: Backwash, then remove the drain plug

Heater: Remove drain plugs from both sides of the heater. If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply at the valve.

Chlorinator/Salt Cell: Remove and store the salt cell or chlorinator indoors. Salt cells are expensive and cold temperatures can damage them.

Before putting the cover on, give the pool one final brush and vacuum. A clean pool going into winter is much easier to open in spring.

Install your cover according to the manufacturer's instructions. For safety covers, make sure all anchors are secure. For standard covers, use water bags or cover clips to hold it in place — never use bricks or cinder blocks, which can damage the cover and fall into the pool.

Install a Gizzmo or skimmer plug in each skimmer. These devices absorb the pressure from any water that freezes in the skimmer, protecting the skimmer body from cracking.

If you have an above-ground skimmer, you can also use a skimmer cover plate to block water from entering.

In NWA, we see freeze damage every winter from pools that weren't properly closed. The most common issues:

• Cracked skimmer bodies — water freezes in the skimmer and splits the plastic
• Burst return lines — water in the pipes freezes and cracks the PVC
• Damaged pump housings — water left in the pump volute freezes and cracks the housing
• Heater damage — water in the heat exchanger freezes and destroys it

These repairs add up fast. A professional closing typically costs less than a single freeze-damage repair.

If you'd rather not deal with the process yourself, AquaCare offers pool closing service across Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Cave Springs, Centerton, Elm Springs, Prairie Grove, Elkins, and surrounding NWA communities.

We'll balance your chemistry, blow out your lines, winterize your equipment, and get your cover on — all in one visit. Request a closing quote here and we'll get you scheduled before the first freeze.