10 Essential Pool Closing Supplies for a Backyard Pool

The air is turning crisp, the leaves are starting to fall, and that backyard pool is quickly losing its summer warmth. Closing a pool for the winter is more than just throwing a tarp over the top and hoping for the best come spring. Having the right tools and gear on hand prevents freeze damage, keeps algae at bay, and makes next year’s opening day a breeze instead of a headache.

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How to Prep Your Pool Water Before Closing the Gate

Before reaching for any physical covers or plugs, the water itself requires careful preparation. Balancing the water chemistry is the single most critical step in preventing scaling, staining, and algae growth during the long winter months. Adjust the pH to 7.2–7.6, bring the alkalinity to 80–120 ppm, and ensure the calcium hardness sits comfortably between 200 and 400 ppm.

Once the chemistry is balanced, give the pool a thorough deep clean. Vacuum the floor, brush the walls, and skim any floating debris to ensure there is nothing organic left behind to rot. Lower the water level below the skimmer mouth—typically about 3 to 6 inches for pools using solid covers—to protect the skimmer faceplate from expansion damage during freezes.

Winter Pool Cover – Blue Wave Bronze 15-Year Cover

A solid winter cover acts as the primary shield against harsh winter elements, keeping out sunlight, dirt, leaves, and wildlife. Without a tough barrier, melting snow and organic debris will quickly turn pool water into a dark, swampy soup. This makes spring cleanup incredibly difficult and expensive.

The Blue Wave Bronze 15-Year Cover stands out because of its rugged polyethylene construction and heavy-duty, UV-resistant scrim. It features a dark underside that actively blocks sunlight, preventing the photosynthesis needed for winter algae blooms. The cover also comes with a heavy-duty, vinyl-coated cable and a metal ratcheting winch to lock it down tight against winter winds.

• Material: Heavy-duty, UV-stabilized polyethylene
• Overlap: 4-foot overlap for secure fit on above-ground pools
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
• Color: Forest green top, black underside

When ordering, always select a cover based on your actual pool size, as the manufacturer already adds the necessary overlap footage. For example, if your pool is 24 feet round, buy the 24-foot size. This cover is perfect for above-ground pool owners looking for a durable, budget-friendly shield, but it is not intended for heavy inground safety cover applications where safety-certified load bearing is required.

Pool Air Pillow – Swimline 4×15 Foot Ice Equalizer

When rainwater and snow pile onto a winter cover, they push the water underneath outward against the pool walls. An air pillow sits in the center of the pool, acting as a pressure relief valve. As ice expands inward, it squeezes the soft pillow instead of putting destructive outward pressure on your pool’s metal walls or vinyl liner.

The Swimline 4×15 Foot Ice Equalizer is the ideal choice due to its elongated shape and heavy-gauge PVC construction. Traditional square pillows often shift or pop under intense pressure, but this long, narrow design distributes ice expansion more evenly across a larger surface area. Its leak-proof valve prevents air from escaping during freezing temperatures.

• Dimensions: 4 x 15 feet
• Material: Heavy-gauge vinyl
• Grommets: Secure tie-down points on all corners

To use this pillow correctly, only inflate it to about 60% to 70% capacity. Overinflating leaves no room for expansion, causing the pillow to pop as soon as the water freezes. This pillow is an absolute must-have for above-ground pools in freezing climates, but inground pools using tension safety covers can usually skip it.

Pool Winterizing Kit – In The Swim Ultimate Kit

Closing a pool with standard summer chemicals is a recipe for a green opening in the spring. A specialized winterizing kit contains slow-releasing sanitizers and stain preventers designed to survive freezing temperatures and months of stagnation. These chemicals slowly distribute through the water, neutralizing algae spores and protecting pool surfaces.

The In The Swim Ultimate Kit is a comprehensive chemical pack that takes the guesswork out of pool winterization. It includes a powerful winter shock, a long-lasting copper-free algaecide, a metal rust preventer, and a slow-dissolving winterizing floater. The non-staining formulas are safe for both vinyl liners and plaster finishes.

• Treatment capacity: Kits available for pools up to 35,000 gallons
• Contents: Algaecide, pool shock, stain/scale preventer, winter floater
• Compatibility: Safe for vinyl, fiberglass, and plaster pools

Keep in mind that you must run your pool pump for at least 2 to 4 hours after adding these chemicals to ensure thorough mixing before lowering the water level. This kit is ideal for pool owners who want an all-in-one chemical pack, but if you have a massive custom-built pool over 35,000 gallons, you will need to buy multiple kits or supplement with extra shock.

Pool Cover Pump – Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic

Accumulated water on a solid pool cover is incredibly heavy and can pull the cover directly into the pool, dragging dirt and debris with it. A reliable cover pump automatically removes this standing water before it becomes a hazard. It also prevents stress on the cover straps and pool walls.

The Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic pump is a powerhouse designed for cold, wet environments. It features an integrated mechanical float switch that automatically turns the pump on when water reaches 2 inches and shuts it off when the surface is dry. With a flow rate of 1,745 gallons per hour, it empties a saturated cover in minutes.

• Flow Rate: 1,745 GPH at 0 feet of head
• Power Cord: 25-foot power cord for easy reach
• Discharge: Fits standard 3/4-inch garden hose
• Switch Type: Automatic mechanical float

Always clear large leaves and twigs from around the pump base to prevent the intake screen from clogging. This pump is a lifesaver for anyone using a solid winter cover or tarp, but it is unnecessary for those utilizing mesh safety covers that allow water to drain directly into the pool.

Winter Expansion Plug – Hayward SP1022C Rubber Plug

Water trapped inside underground pipes can freeze, expand, and rupture your plumbing system, leading to thousands of dollars in repair costs. Once the lines are blown out with air, these lines must be sealed completely. Winter expansion plugs seal off return lines and cleaner ports, keeping water out of the pipes all winter long.

The Hayward SP1022C Rubber Plug is the industry standard for securing plumbing lines. Made of heavy-duty, chemical-resistant rubber and featuring a large nylon wing nut, it creates a tight, airtight seal inside the pipe. The non-corrosive hardware ensures that the plug will not rust or seize, even when submerged in chemically treated pool water for months.

• Size: 1.5-inch thread/opening (Standard pool returns)
• Material: Neoprene rubber with nylon wing nut
• Corrosion resistance: 100% rust-free design

Ensure you clean any algae or debris out of the return line threads before inserting the plug to ensure a perfect, flush seal. This plug is essential for any pool owner with a plumbed filtration system in hard-freeze regions, but make sure to measure your return line diameters, as some pools require 2-inch plugs instead.

Skimmer Guard – Gizzmo 16-Inch Super Winterizer

Skimmers are highly vulnerable to freeze damage because water naturally collects inside them. As this water freezes, it expands outward, cracking the plastic skimmer throat and causing costly underground leaks. A skimmer guard absorbs this expansion pressure, protecting the skimmer body from cracking.

The Gizzmo 16-Inch Super Winterizer is a heavy-duty, hollow plastic tube designed to screw directly into the skimmer’s bottom threads. It features a unique built-in blowout channel that allows you to blow out the lines and seal the skimmer without removing the guard. Its durable, collapsible design safely absorbs ice expansion forces.

• Length: 16 inches (For deep skimmers)
• Thread Size: 1.5-inch and 2-inch tapered threads
• Material: Heavy-duty blow-molded plastic

Apply a thin layer of Teflon tape to the Gizzmo’s threads before screwing it in to ensure a watertight seal at the bottom of the skimmer. This product is a must-have for inground pools in freezing climates, but above-ground pools using a skimmer faceplate cover may not need one.

Pool Antifreeze – SPLASH Pool and Spa Antifreeze

Even after blowing out your pool plumbing lines, small pockets of water can remain trapped in low spots. If this water freezes, it can easily crack PVC pipes underground. Non-toxic pool antifreeze is added to the pipes to prevent any remaining water from freezing and damaging the system.

SPLASH Pool and Spa Antifreeze is formulated specifically for pool plumbing systems, offering burst protection down to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike automotive antifreeze, which is highly toxic, this propylene-glycol-based formula is safe for pool equipment, vinyl liners, and the environment. It will not damage plastic, copper, or rubber seals.

• Burst Protection: Up to -50°F (-46°C)
• Base: Propylene-glycol non-toxic formula
• Quantity: 1-gallon bottles

Never use automotive antifreeze in your pool, as it is highly toxic to pets and swimmers, and will ruin your pool’s filtration media. This product is highly recommended for inground pools in northern climates, but pool owners in southern regions that rarely experience hard freezes can safely bypass this step.

Pool Leaf Net – Robelle Premium Leaf Net Cover

Autumn leaves can quickly pile up on top of your winter cover, decaying into a heavy, smelly mess by springtime. Removing these wet, heavy leaves by hand is a grueling, messy chore that can tear your primary cover. A leaf net sits on top of your main cover to capture falling leaves and make removal effortless.

The Robelle Premium Leaf Net Cover is constructed from a lightweight, durable polyethylene mesh that allows water to pass through while trapping even the smallest leaves. Once the trees are bare, you simply peel the net off, leaving your main winter cover completely clean. It features an extra-strong 4-foot overlap and heavy-duty brass grommets for easy securing.

• Material: Heavy-duty woven polyethylene mesh
• Overlap: 4-foot overlap
• Inclusions: Includes winch and vinyl-coated cable

For best results, install the leaf net immediately after closing your pool and remove it before the first major snowstorm. This net is an invaluable time-saver for pool owners surrounded by deciduous trees, but it is not necessary if your backyard is entirely clear of overhanging foliage.

Pool Cover Seal – Swimline Winter Cover Shield Wrap

High winter winds are the archenemy of above-ground pool covers. Wind can easily catch the edges of a cover, lifting it up and causing severe tearing or blowing it off entirely. A cover seal wraps around the perimeter of the pool to block wind from getting underneath.

The Swimline Winter Cover Shield Wrap acts like giant, heavy-duty plastic wrap for your pool. This tough, stretchy polymer film clings tightly to the pool’s metal top rail and the winter cover, sealing out wind, dust, and cold air. It features high UV resistance to prevent it from cracking or degrading in cold winter sunlight.

• Roll Length: 800 feet
• Width: 20 inches
• Material: UV-stabilized stretch film

Apply at least three to four tight wraps around the entire pool perimeter to ensure a secure, windproof seal. This wrap is a must-have for above-ground pool owners in open, windy areas, but it is not designed or necessary for inground pools using water bags or safety covers.

Pool Water Bag – Swimline Double Water Tube for Cover

Inground pools using solid covers need a reliable way to keep the cover weighted down around the pool deck. Standard bricks or concrete blocks can rip the cover or damage your pool deck if dragged. Water bags provide a soft, heavy weight that keeps the cover in place without risking damage.

The Swimline Double Water Tube is designed with a dual-chamber configuration that prevents the tube from rolling off the cover and into the pool. Made from heavy-gauge, UV-resistant vinyl, these bags are built to withstand freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. The leak-resistant valves are easy to fill with a standard garden hose.

• Design: Double chamber (anti-roll)
• Material: Heavy-weight 18-gauge vinyl
• Lengths available: 8-foot and 10-foot options

When filling these water tubes, only fill them to about 50% to 70% capacity to allow room for the water to expand when it freezes. This product is essential for inground pool owners utilizing solid winter covers, but is completely unnecessary for above-ground pools or those using spring-loaded safety covers.

Storing Your Pool Accessories Safely Until Spring

Once the pool is winterized and covered, don’t just toss your summer accessories into a dark corner of the shed and forget about them. Steps, ladders, pool cleaners, and solar blankets represent a major financial investment and require proper prep before winter storage. Leaving chlorine residue or moisture on these items can cause dry rot, mold, and premature cracking over the winter.

Start by thoroughly washing down all accessories with fresh water to remove chlorine, salt, and organic buildup. Let every piece dry completely in the sun; storing damp gear in an enclosed space is an invitation for mold and mildew. Store sensitive items like automatic pool cleaners, chemical test kits, and solar blankets indoors or in a temperature-controlled environment to protect them from extreme freezing temperatures that can crack plastic housings and degrade chemical reagents.

Conclusion

Taking the time to winterize your pool with the right gear protects your investment and ensures a hassle-free reopening when warm weather returns. Skipping these steps or using makeshift solutions often leads to costly repairs, green water, and wasted weekends in the spring. Get the proper tools, seal up the lines, and rest easy knowing your pool is safe until pool season rolls around again.