10 Essential Closing Supplies for Your Backyard Pool

The autumn leaves are starting to fall, and that crisp chill in the air means it is time to say goodbye to swimming season. Neglecting the proper shutdown steps now can lead to cracked pipes, ruined liners, and a green swamp of algae come spring. Investing in the right closing gear ensures your backyard oasis survives the freezing months completely unscathed.

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Why Proper Winterization Protects Your Pool Investment

Water expands by nearly nine percent when it freezes, creating an incredibly destructive force inside backyard pool plumbing and equipment. Without proper winter preparation, this expansion easily cracks PVC pipes, ruptures filtration tanks, and stretches vinyl liners beyond their limits. A single winter of neglect can result in thousands of dollars in structural repairs before the next swimming season even begins.

Beyond physical freeze damage, winterization acts as a biological shield for the pool water itself. Sealing the pool correctly keeps out sunlight, organic debris, and invasive pests that fuel algae blooms during the mild shoulder seasons. Opening a clean, clear pool in May is only possible if the closing process in October is handled with methodical care.

Winter Pool Cover – Robelle Premium Solid Cover

A high-quality winter cover is the primary line of defense against autumn leaves, winter debris, and sunlight. Without a solid barrier, organic matter accumulates in the water, decaying over months and creating a fertile breeding ground for stubborn algae. The Robelle Premium Solid Cover excels at this job by utilizing a heavy-duty polyethylene construction with a dense 8 x 8 scrim count that resists tearing under winter winds.

This specific cover stands out because of its light-blocking design, featuring a top coating treated to resist UV degradation and a black underside that prevents photosynthesis. It includes a heavy-duty cable and winch tightener to lock the cover securely below the top ledge of above-ground pools. When selecting a size, always purchase based on your actual pool dimensions, as the manufacturer builds in a 4-foot overlap to accommodate the water drop-down.

• Material: Heavy-duty polyethylene
• Overlap: 4-foot extra material included
• Features: UV-resistant top coat, black underside, rust-resistant grommets

This solid cover is ideal for pool owners surrounded by deciduous trees who need to keep every speck of organic debris out of the water. However, it is not a safety cover; it will not support the weight of animals or children, so those requiring load-bearing protection should look toward tension-secured safety covers instead.

Pool Air Pillow – InTheSwim Ice Equalizer Pillow

When water freezes in an above-ground pool, it expands outward, exerting immense pressure against the pool walls that can split the metal frame or ruin the liner. An air pillow sits in the center of the water, acting as a sacrificial compression zone that absorbs this expansion force by squeezing inward. The InTheSwim Ice Equalizer Pillow is built specifically to withstand this relentless lateral pressure throughout freezing winters.

Made from rugged 16-gauge vinyl, this 4×4-foot pillow is tough enough to resist popping even when encased in solid ice. It features reinforced grommets on the corners, allowing you to easily tie it off and center it in the pool using nylon ropes. The critical trick to using this tool is to inflate it to only 60 to 70 percent capacity so it has plenty of give when the ice begins to squeeze.

• Dimensions: 4 x 4 feet
• Material: Heavy-duty 16-gauge vinyl
• Features: Corner grommets for centering, leak-resistant air valve

This pillow is a non-negotiable lifesaver for above-ground pool owners living in regions that experience hard, prolonged winter freezes. It is not necessary for in-ground pools, where structural concrete or backfilled walls handle freeze expansion differently, nor is it useful in mild climates where ice never forms.

Winter Chemical Kit – InTheSwim Deluxe Winter Kit

Closing a pool with balanced, treated water is the secret to an effortless, crystal-clear spring opening. A dedicated winter chemical kit slowly releases sanitizers and stain preventers over the cold months, ensuring that dormant algae cannot take hold during early spring warm-ups. The InTheSwim Deluxe Winter Kit provides a comprehensive, pre-measured chemical defense system tailored to specific pool volumes.

This kit includes a powerful non-chlorine winter shock that destroys organic contaminants without bleaching vinyl liners, alongside a concentrated algaecide and a winter stain away formula. It also features a unique slow-release winter floating sanitizer that continuously dispenses non-chlorine oxidizing agents under the cover. To get the best results, ensure your water chemistry—especially pH and total alkalinity—is fully balanced before adding these winter chemicals.

• Pool Capacity: Options for up to 10,000, 20,000, or 35,000 gallons
• Included Components: Chlorine-free shock, Winterizer algaecide, Stain Away, Winter Float
• Compatibility: Safe for vinyl, fiberglass, and plaster pools

This kit is perfect for pool owners who want a straightforward, reliable, and hassle-free chemical regimen without the guesswork of buying separate bottles. It is less suitable for pool owners who already maintain a large surplus of bulk chemicals and prefer to manually mix and measure their own customized winter formulas.

Pool Cover Pump – Little Giant APCP-1700 Pump

Accumulating rain and melted snow can weigh down a solid pool cover, pulling on the anchor straps and putting dangerous stress on the pool walls. A reliable submersible cover pump automatically removes this pooling water, keeping the cover light and preventing it from slipping into the pool. The Little Giant APCP-1700 Pump is the premier choice for this task, offering worry-free, automated water management.

This pump activates automatically when water levels reach approximately two inches and shuts off once the water is drained, saving energy and protecting the motor from running dry. It moves up to 1,700 gallons per hour, easily handling heavy downpours and rapidly clearing the cover through a standard garden hose connection. It features a wide, stable base that resists tipping over and a built-in intake screen that prevents wet leaves from clogging the impeller.

• Flow Rate: 1,700 GPH at 0 feet of head
• Activation: Automatic mechanical float switch
• Power Cord Length: 25-foot heavy-duty power cord

Anyone using a solid winter cover will find this automatic pump indispensable for preventing cover collapse during heavy autumn rains and winter thaws. It is entirely unnecessary, however, for pool owners with mesh safety covers, as rainwater naturally drains directly through the mesh into the pool below.

Expansion Plug – Swimline Rubber Winterizing Plug

Once water is blown out of the pool’s plumbing lines, those pipes must be sealed airtight to prevent water from seeping back in and freezing. Expansion plugs expand inside the pipe openings to create a watertight, pressurized barrier that holds up all winter long. The Swimline Rubber Winterizing Plug is the industry standard for creating this reliable, airtight seal in return lines and cleaner ports.

Built with high-grade, tapered rubber and corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware, this plug stands up to harsh winter chemicals and freezing conditions without degrading. The oversized wing nut makes it simple to tighten the plug by hand, expanding the rubber sleeve to fit snugly against the inner walls of the PVC pipe. Be sure to measure your fittings accurately, as these plugs come in specific sizes, with 1.5-inch and 2-inch being the most common pool plumbing sizes.

• Material: Heavy-duty rubber with stainless steel wing nuts
• Common Sizes: 1.5-inch (#10) and 2-inch (#12) diameters
• Application: Return inlets, cleaner lines, and skimmer bottoms

This expansion plug is a critical purchase for pool owners in freeze-prone zones who must blow out and seal their plumbing lines. It is not needed by pool owners in deep-south climates where winterization consists of merely reducing filtration runtime without draining or blowing out lines.

Pool Antifreeze – Splash Pool and Spa Antifreeze

Even after blowing out pool plumbing lines, small pockets of residual water can settle in low-lying elbows and underground joints. If this trapped water freezes, it can easily rupture underground pipes, leading to incredibly expensive excavation repairs in the spring. Adding Splash Pool and Spa Antifreeze to your plumbing lines provides a crucial safety margin by preventing any remaining moisture from expanding.

This formula uses a non-toxic propylene glycol base that is completely safe for swimmers, pets, and the environment once the pool is reopened and flushed. It offers burst protection down to -50 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring peace of mind during the deepest winter cold snaps. Remember, this product is designed specifically for pool plumbing and should never be confused with toxic automotive antifreeze, which will ruin pool liners and contaminate your water.

• Chemical Base: Non-toxic propylene glycol
• Burst Protection: Safe down to -50°F (-46°C)
• Safety: Safe for PVC, copper, and plastic plumbing

This antifreeze is highly recommended for in-ground pool owners in northern climates who want guaranteed protection for underground plumbing lines. It is unnecessary for above-ground pools where the filtration system and flexible hoses are completely disconnected and stored indoors for the winter.

Skimmer Guard – Gizzmo Ultra Freeze Protection

The skimmer bucket is one of the most vulnerable parts of an in-ground pool because it sits right at the freeze line and can easily trap expanding ice. A cracked skimmer housing requires costly excavation and concrete deck demolition to repair. The Gizzmo Ultra Freeze Protection tube screws directly into the bottom of the skimmer, absorbing the crushing ice expansion forces so your skimmer walls do not have to.

This 16-inch-long device features a hollow, compressible plastic body designed to collapse safely when ice expands inside the skimmer well. It features built-in double threads on the bottom, allowing it to fit both 1.5-inch and 2-inch skimmer ports easily. For a truly watertight seal that prevents water from seeping back into your plumbing, wrap the Gizzmo’s threads with a few layers of Teflon tape before screwing it in.

• Length: 16 inches for deep skimmer wells
• Thread Sizes: Dual 1.5-inch and 2-inch male threads
• Material: Heavy-duty, compressible molded plastic

This tool is a must-have for in-ground pool owners in cold regions who keep their pool water levels high enough to enter the skimmer throat during winter. It is not necessary if you completely drain your pool water below the skimmer mouth and use a winter faceplate cover to keep rainwater out of the bucket.

Pool Cover Wrap – Blue Wave Winter Shield Wrap

High winter winds are the absolute enemy of above-ground pool covers, easily getting underneath loose edges and ballooning the cover until it rips or collapses. Wrapping the perimeter of your pool seals this gap, locking the cover flush against the outer wall. The Blue Wave Winter Shield Wrap acts like a giant, heavy-duty shrink-wrap system that keeps wind out and holds your cover rock-solid.

Formulated with UV-inhibited resins, this stretch wrap will not degrade, crack, or lose its cling under the harsh winter sun. It measures 80 feet long and 20 inches wide, providing ample coverage to wrap around a standard pool multiple times for a tight, overlapping seal. While it is incredibly effective, remember that this is a single-use item that you will cut off and discard when you reopen the pool in the spring.

• Dimensions: 20 inches wide x 80 feet long
• Material: UV-stabilized heavy-duty stretch film
• Application: Wraps the top perimeter of above-ground pools

This wrap is an essential purchase for above-ground pool owners in open, windy areas who want to prevent cover whip and wind damage. It is completely useless for in-ground pools, which secure their covers with deck anchors or water bags rather than perimeter wrapping.

Skimmer Cover – Aquador Winter Skimmer Faceplate

Traditionally, winterizing a skimmer meant draining the pool water below the skimmer mouth, which wastes treated water and can destabilize vinyl liners. A snap-on skimmer faceplate allows you to seal the skimmer opening completely while keeping your water level at normal operating heights. The Aquador Winter Skimmer Faceplate offers a simple, tool-free snap-on lid that keeps water out of the skimmer all winter.

The system replaces your existing skimmer faceplate with a specially molded frame that accommodates a heavy-duty, freeze-resistant snap-on plastic lid. This lid creates an airtight, watertight seal, allowing you to drain and blow out your skimmer plumbing without lowering the pool’s water line. It is critical to select the correct model number to match your specific skimmer brand, as standard and wide-mouth skimmers use different dimensions.

• System: Permanent mounting frame with removable snap-on winter lid
• Sizing: Available in standard (Model 1090) and wide-mouth (Model 1010) options
• Benefit: Eliminates the need to lower pool water levels during closing

This faceplate is the perfect upgrade for vinyl-liner pool owners who want to maintain proper water tension on their liners throughout the winter while avoiding water waste. It is less beneficial for plaster pool owners who routinely drain their pools well below the tile line as part of their standard winter maintenance routine.

Pool Water Bag – Swimline Double Water Chamber

In-ground pools with solid covers require heavy weight around the deck perimeter to prevent the cover from slipping into the water or blowing away. Concrete blocks or bricks should never be used, as they can tear the cover or cause severe damage if they fall into the pool. Swimline Double Water Chambers provide a safe, heavy, and non-damaging anchoring system specifically engineered for solid pool covers.

Unlike single-tube water bags that easily roll out of place in high winds, the double-chamber design keeps these bags flat and firmly anchored to your deck. Constructed from heavy-duty 18-gauge vinyl, they feature reliable, leak-resistant valves that are easy to fill with a standard garden hose. Always fill these bags only halfway to three-quarters full so the water has ample room to expand when it freezes without splitting the vinyl seams.

• Lengths: Available in 8-foot and 10-foot options
• Configuration: Double-chamber roll-resistant design
• Material: Durable 18-gauge freeze-resistant vinyl

This water bag is the ideal anchoring solution for in-ground pool owners using traditional solid covers on concrete or paver decks. It is completely unnecessary for pools equipped with tension-strap safety covers that hook directly into brass deck anchors.

How to Store Your Pool Equipment Safely for Winter

Once the pool water and plumbing lines are secured, attention must turn to your expensive filtration and sanitizing equipment. Leaving water trapped inside your pump, filter tank, or heater over the winter is a guaranteed recipe for cracked casings and ruined internal components. Begin by removing the drain plugs from your pump housing, filter tank, and heater, allowing all standing water to drain completely out of these systems.

Store all removed drain plugs together in the pump basket so they do not go missing during the off-season. If you have a chlorinator or salt cell, disconnect it, drain it, and rinse it thoroughly to remove any corrosive chemical residue before storage. Whenever possible, disconnect the pump motor entirely and store it in a dry, climate-controlled space like a garage or basement to protect its sensitive electrical windings from moisture and freezing temperatures.

Finally, inspect all rubber O-rings on your pump lid, filter tank, and union connections before packing them away. Applying a thin coat of silicone-based pool lubricant to these O-rings keeps them pliable and prevents dry-rotting over the winter. Taking these extra storage steps now ensures your expensive mechanical equipment starts up smoothly and leak-free on the first warm day of spring.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly winterize your backyard pool with the right closing supplies protects your investment from freeze damage and ensures a seamless opening next spring. By sealing the plumbing, anchoring the cover, and protecting the filtration equipment, you can rest easy through the coldest winter months. Preparation today means more time enjoying the water when the warm weather returns.