1. Balance the pool water. You will want to circulate your pool for at least 4 hours after any chemicals are added.
Your Ph should be between 7.2-7.6,
Alkalinity 80-120 ppm
Calcium hardness 180-220 ppm
Chlorine no higher than 2ppm
You will also want to add algaecide instead of dousing with liquid chlorine. Chlorine is heavier than water and will sink to the bottom and create a unsightly white area in the depend of your pool.
We usually add algaecide, stain control and oxidizer. That it!
2. Remove accessories such as your pool ladders, solar blankets, jet eyelet balls, skimmer basket, and make sure your pool i s vacuumed clean.
3. Lower the water in your pool to just below your pool jets. (as long as your pool jets are at least 2/3 of the way up your pool walls) The pool water can be lowered using your pool pump, vacuum, or a submersible pool pump.
4. Drain your pool equipment and pull all the winterizing plugs out of pump, filter, chlorinator, and heater if applicable. If you have a gas heater with a pressure switch you will also want to disconnect that as well to protect it from frost damage.
5. Blow out your pool lines with a shop vac at both ends (one sucking, one blowing.) Fills lines with anti-freeze and insert foam rope from skimmer and jet ends. Then can the jets and skimmer port holes with a threaded or rubber expanding plug. Be sure to not over tighten the plugs. Hand tight only.
6. Cover your pool with the appropriate winter blanket or safety cover. Make sure no dirt will be able to enter your pool water over winter!
For more information, check out our post on fall pool maintenance and winterizing your pool!