10 Essential Above Ground Pool Winterizing Accessories

As the autumn breeze turns crisp and pool days fade into memory, the reality of off-season pool maintenance takes center stage. Leaving an above ground pool vulnerable to freezing temperatures, heavy snow load, and debris is a recipe for expensive structural damage come spring. Securing the right winterizing gear now protects your investment and ensures a crystal-clear, stress-free opening next season.

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Why Proper Above Ground Pool Winterizing Matters

Water expands by approximately nine percent when it freezes, exerting immense outward pressure on everything it touches. In an above ground pool, which lacks the insulating support of surrounding earth, this ice expansion can easily warp steel walls, split vinyl liners, and crack expensive filtration plumbing. Properly preparing the pool for freezing weather mitigates these risks by redirecting ice expansion and securing the structure against harsh elements.

Reopening a pool that was poorly closed is a grueling, expensive process. Fighting swampy green water, thick layers of rotted leaves, and persistent black algae blooms can keep your family out of the water for the first few weeks of summer. Taking the time to winterize with the proper tools transforms a potential springtime headache into a quick, straightforward weekend opening.

Because above ground pools are entirely exposed to wind and cold from all sides, they require specialized accessories that can handle rapid temperature drops. Standard tarps and cheap ropes simply will not survive a harsh winter. Investing in dedicated, high-quality winterizing gear is the only way to guarantee your backyard oasis remains intact and ready for another season of recreation.

Winter Cover – Robelle Ultimate Winter Pool Cover

A winter cover acts as the primary shield for your pool, blocking out sunlight, wind-blown dirt, and heavy precipitation. By keeping UV rays from reaching the water, the cover prevents photosynthetic algae from taking hold during mild autumn and spring days. It also eliminates the need to scoop out rotting organic debris when the pool is reopened.

The Robelle Ultimate Winter Pool Cover stands out due to its heavy-duty polyethylene construction and high scrim count, which provides exceptional puncture and tear resistance. It features a generous four-foot overlap, which is critical because it gives you plenty of slack to accommodate the lower winter water level without pulling the cover tight against the top rails. The top of the cover is treated with a specialized UV-resistant coating, while the underside is black to completely block out algae-promoting sunlight.

• Material: Heavy-duty polyethylene with a high-density scrim
• Overlap: 4 feet (exceeds the industry standard of 3 feet)
• Securing System: Includes premium vinyl-coated steel cable and aluminum winch
• Color: Forest green top, black bottom for complete light blockage

Before purchasing, measure your pool’s actual pool-wall-to-pool-wall diameter. Do not upsize your order to compensate for water drop; the manufacturer has already factored the four-foot overlap into the listed cover dimensions. Keep in mind that installing this heavy-duty cover requires at least two people to properly stretch the material across the water surface without snagging.

This cover is ideal for pool owners in regions with heavy snowfall and high winds who need a rugged, multi-season barrier. It is not the right choice for those looking for a lightweight, easy-to-handle tarp for quick temporary coverage, as this cover is heavy and built for long-term seasonal placement.

Pool Air Pillow – Swimline 4×4 Foot Ice Equalizer

An air pillow is designed to float in the center of the pool beneath the winter cover, acting as a crucial pressure-relief valve. As rainwater and snow accumulate on top of the cover, they push the cover down and force the underlying water outward against the pool walls. When a hard freeze occurs, the ice sheet expands inward and compresses the air pillow rather than pushing outward against your pool’s metal frame and vinyl liner.

The Swimline 4×4 Foot Ice Equalizer is manufactured from heavy-gauge, cold-resistant vinyl that can withstand freezing temperatures without cracking. Its generous four-by-four-foot footprint provides excellent surface area displacement, making it highly effective for medium to large round and oval pools. The pillow is equipped with durable corner grommets, allowing you to easily tie it off and center it in the pool before the cover goes on.

• Dimensions: 4 x 4 feet
• Material: Heavy-gauge, puncture-resistant vinyl
• Hardware: Reinforced corner grommets for secure positioning
• Valves: Standard leak-proof inflation valve

When inflating this air pillow, only fill it to 60 to 80 percent capacity. If you inflate it fully, the pillow will have no room to compress when ice forms, causing it to pop under pressure. Use a shop vac or leaf blower on the exhaust setting to inflate it quickly, and always use marine-grade nylon ropes to tie it securely to opposite sides of the pool.

This accessory is essential for pool owners living in cold northern climates where the pool surface is guaranteed to freeze solid for weeks at a time. It is not necessary for pool owners in mild, southern climates where winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing.

Pool Cover Pump – Little Giant APCP-1700 Pump

Accumulating rainwater and melted snow on top of your pool cover can weigh thousands of pounds, stressing the pool walls and pulling the cover down. A pool cover pump removes this water, preventing structural collapse and keeping dirty surface water from seeping into the clean pool water below.

The Little Giant APCP-1700 Pump features a built-in automatic switch that activates when water reaches a depth of two inches and shuts off once the cover is cleared. Delivering up to 1,700 gallons per hour, this submersible pump clears heavy downpours quickly and efficiently. It features a wide, stable base that prevents it from tipping over on the uneven surface of a soft pool cover.

• Flow Rate: 1,700 Gallons Per Hour (GPH) at a 1-foot lift height
• Operation: Automatic mechanical float switch (no manual monitoring required)
• Power Cord: 25-foot heavy-duty power cord
• Discharge Connection: Standard 3/4-inch garden hose thread

To keep the pump running efficiently, always clean the intake screen of leaves and twigs before and after heavy autumn storms. Ensure the attached garden hose is routed far away from the pool structure to prevent the discharged water from pooling around and weakening the pool’s support legs.

This automatic pump is perfect for busy homeowners who want a hassle-free, “set-it-and-forget-it” solution for water removal during rainy winter months. It is not necessary for arid climates with minimal winter precipitation, where a simple manual siphoning hose can handle the occasional light rain.

Winter Chemical Kit – In The Swim Deluxe Closing Kit

A winter chemical kit preserves your pool water chemistry during the long off-season, preventing staining, scale buildup, and massive algae blooms. Using a chemical kit ensures the water remains clear and chemically balanced, making your spring opening as simple as turning on the filter.

The In The Swim Deluxe Closing Kit features pre-measured doses of high-quality winterizing chemicals designed to work together without damaging your pool’s vinyl liner. It includes a non-chlorine winter shock to oxidize contaminants, a slow-release winterizer dispenser, a metal-free stain preventer, and a winterizing tablets float. This comprehensive blend keeps pool water stable and prevents copper, iron, and scale from bonding to the pool walls.

• Pool Capacity: Options available for pools up to 10,000, 20,000, or 35,000 gallons
• Contents: Winter shock, winterizer algaecide, stain rust & scale preventer, and slow-release float
• Liner Compatibility: Safe for all vinyl above ground pool liners
• Longevity: Formulated to remain active in cold water for up to six months

Before adding these chemicals, ensure the pool is thoroughly vacuumed and the water pH is balanced between 7.2 and 7.6. Adding the closing kit chemicals to unbalanced water will significantly reduce their effectiveness and can lead to liner staining.

This kit is a must-have for any pool owner looking for a streamlined, foolproof chemical regimen for the off-season. It is not suitable for those who prefer to custom-blend their own chemical formulas or utilize natural, enzyme-only pool systems.

Skimmer Guard – Gizzmo Ultra Ice Compensator

A skimmer guard protects your pool’s skimmer assembly from cracking due to freezing water. The skimmer throat is a rigid, plastic component that easily cracks if trapped water expands inside it during a hard freeze, resulting in an expensive repair come spring.

The Gizzmo Ultra Ice Compensator is a heavy-duty, hollow plastic tube designed to screw directly into the internal threads of your skimmer. As water inside the skimmer freezes, the Gizzmo collapses inward, safely absorbing the destructive expansion pressure. It also acts as a secure plug, sealing off the plumbing line to prevent water from entering the filtration pipes.

• Thread Size: Dual threads (fits 1.5-inch and 2-inch skimmer ports)
• Length: 16 inches for deep skimmer wells
• Design: Blow-molded, heavy-duty plastic with a built-in expansion core
• Seal: Tapered threads for a watertight fit

Always apply a few wraps of Teflon tape to the Gizzmo’s threads before screwing it into the skimmer. This ensures a watertight seal and prevents the plastic threads from seizing or cross-threading in the cold weather.

This accessory is essential for pool owners in freezing climates who choose not to drain their pool water below the skimmer level. It is not required for those who completely remove their skimmer faceplates and store the entire skimmer assembly indoors for the winter.

Cover Wall Clips – Swimline Cover Closing Clips

Cover wall clips prevent high winds from getting underneath your pool cover and blowing it off. High winter winds act like a sail, catching loose cover edges, flapping the material against the pool wall, and potentially tearing the cover or pulling out the anchor cable.

The Swimline Cover Closing Clips are designed specifically for above ground pool top rails, clamping down firmly to lock the cover directly to the pool’s metal wall. Made from durable, UV-resistant plastic, they provide a strong grip without scratching the pool’s finish or ripping the cover fabric.

• Material: Heavy-gauge, flexible plastic
• Length: 5-inch clips
• Recommended usage: Two clips per vertical pool upright
• Compatibility: Fits standard steel or aluminum top rails

These clips work best on standard steel or aluminum top rails. They may not stretch wide enough for pools with extra-wide resin top rails that exceed eight inches.

These clips are essential for pool owners in windy, open plains or coastal areas where cover blow-offs are a constant threat. They are not necessary for pools with massive, wide resin rails that require specialized wrap-around straps instead.

Pool Cover Seal – Blue Wave Winter Cover Shield

A pool cover seal creates an airtight, windproof seal around the entire perimeter of the above ground pool. By sealing the gap between the cover and the outer pool wall, it prevents cold winter drafts from lifting the cover and keeps fine dirt, leaves, and pests out.

The Blue Wave Winter Cover Shield is a heavy-duty, stretchable wrap that functions like heavy-duty plastic wrap but is specifically formulated with UV-inhibitors and cold-crack additives. It wraps around the pool multiple times, clinging to itself to create a rugged, weather-impermeable barrier that holds up to freezing gales.

• Material: High-density, self-clinging polyethylene wrap
• Width: 80-foot or 500-foot rolls (typically 20 inches wide)
• UV protection: Built-in inhibitors to prevent sun rot
• Application: Clings to itself without leaving sticky residue

Ensure the pool wall is completely clean and dry before applying the wrap to guarantee maximum self-adhesion and cling.

An excellent upgrade for pool owners who struggle with high winds and want a secondary line of defense alongside wall clips. It is a single-season product that must be cut off and discarded in the spring, so it is not for those looking for a reusable, multi-year tool.

Rubber Expansion Plug – Swimline Rubber Closing Plug

A rubber expansion plug seals off return jets and plumbing lines once the filtration system is disconnected. It keeps water inside the pool from leaking out through open ports while preventing winter precipitation from entering and freezing inside dry pipes.

The Swimline Rubber Closing Plug utilizes premium-grade, non-corrosive rubber and a stainless-steel wing nut assembly. When the wing nut is tightened, the rubber barrel expands outward, creating a perfectly airtight, slip-free seal inside the pipe opening that won’t degrade under winter chemicals.

• Sizing options: Standard sizes from #5 to #12 (1.5-inch is standard for return jets)
• Hardware: Rust-resistant stainless steel bolt and wing nut
• Material: Chemical-resistant neoprene rubber
• Application: Seals return lines, cleaner lines, and skimmer ports

Double-check your return line internal diameter before buying; most above ground pools use a 1.5-inch opening, requiring a size #10 plug.

Critical for any pool owner looking to completely isolate pool plumbing and protect equipment. It is not needed if your pool does not have standard return lines or if you completely empty the pool below all ports.

Cover Cable Winch – Buffalo Blizzard Aluminum Winch

A cover cable winch tightens and locks the winter cover’s steel cable around the perimeter of the pool wall. Without a high-torque winch, tightening the cable by hand is virtually impossible, leaving the cover loose and vulnerable to wind damage.

The Buffalo Blizzard Aluminum Winch is built from heavy-duty, cast-aluminum housing with a hardened steel crank gear that resists rust, bending, and stripping. Its smooth ratcheting mechanism allows you to crank the cable incredibly tight with minimal hand effort, and the spring-loaded locking pawl ensures it won’t slip under tension.

• Material: Heavy-duty cast aluminum frame with steel gears
• Mechanism: Single-directional ratcheting winch with locking pawl
• Compatibility: Fits standard vinyl-coated steel winter cover cables
• Durability: Weatherproof construction designed for multi-season reuse

Do not overtighten the winch to the point of bending the pool’s metal top rails; tighten until the cable is snug against the pool wall with minimal slack.

An indispensable replacement for the cheap, flimsy plastic winches that are often included in standard cover kits. It is not necessary if your cover uses a heavy-duty ratchet strap system rather than a steel cable.

Pool Leaf Net – Blue Wave Round Leaf Net Cover

A pool leaf net catches fallen leaves, twigs, and organic debris before they can rot on top of your main winter cover. Once the autumn leaves have completely fallen, you simply peel the leaf net off, leaving your winter cover completely clean and lightweight for the snowy winter months.

The Blue Wave Round Leaf Net Cover features a durable, closely-woven polyethylene mesh that lets water pass through easily while catching even the smallest leaves. It features a generous 3-foot overlap and includes a heavy-duty cable and winch system to keep it securely in place over your primary winter cover.

• Material: Heavy-duty woven polyethylene mesh
• Overlap: 3 feet
• Includes: Vinyl-coated steel cable and metal winch
• Mesh Density: Fine weave to catch small twigs and leaf fragments

Remove the leaf net and discard the accumulated leaves before the first major hard freeze; if the leaves freeze into the ice, the net will become trapped and cannot be removed without tearing.

Ideal for pool owners whose yards are surrounded by large hardwood trees, maples, or oaks. It is unnecessary for pool owners in arid regions or yards without overhanging trees and falling leaves.

Crucial Steps for Off-Season Pool Maintenance

Winterizing is not a “one-and-done” task. Walk around the pool perimeter every couple of weeks to check for cover sag, loose cables, or signs of leaking water. Catching a loose clip or a slipping winch early can prevent a catastrophic cover collapse.

Keep an eye on the water level beneath the cover; a slow leak during the winter can cause the cover to collapse under the weight of snow, dragging down the pool walls. Never attempt to break or remove solid ice chunks from the top of the cover, as the sharp edges can easily slice through the vinyl cover and liner.

While a quality cover is built to be tough, massive snow drifts can put immense strain on the pool structure. Use a long-reach pool brush or a soft push broom to gently clear heavy, wet snow off the cover, working from the outside in to protect the pool’s frame from structural failure.

By investing in robust winterizing accessories and executing a thorough closing routine, you shield your above ground pool from the worst of winter’s wrath. When the warm spring sun returns, you will reap the rewards of your diligence with a clean, undamaged pool ready for another season of fun.