9 Essential Pieces of Equipment for Safely Winterizing Your Inground Pool

As autumn leaves begin to fall and the evening air turns crisp, the focus of pool ownership shifts from daily recreation to protection. Leaving an inground pool vulnerable to freezing temperatures is a gamble that can result in thousands of dollars in cracked pipes and ruined finishes. Securing the right specialized gear now ensures that your backyard oasis emerges from the winter freeze completely unscathed and ready for spring.

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Why Proper Winterization Prevents Costly Damage

Water expands by approximately nine percent when it freezes, exerting immense outward pressure on anything containing it. In an inground pool, this expansion can easily rupture underground PVC pipes, crack concrete skimmers, and tear vinyl liners. Once underground lines crack, finding and repairing the leak in the spring requires excavating the pool deck, turning a preventable winter chore into a multi-thousand-dollar construction project.

Proper winterization creates a stable, dormant environment that halts algae growth and manages physical freeze-expansion. By lowering the water level, clearing the plumbing, and treating the remaining water with specialized chemicals, you protect the pool’s structural integrity. This process isn’t about simply throwing a tarp over the water; it is a systematic isolation of the pool’s plumbing and filtration equipment from the elements.

Skipping steps or using subpar equipment often leads to slow water leaks over the winter. When water levels drop beneath a safety cover, the heavy snow load can pull the cover anchors right out of the concrete deck. Investing in commercial-grade winterizing gear is the only reliable way to safeguard your backyard investment against these compounded winter failures.

Safety Pool Cover – Loop-Loc Super Dense Mesh

A safety cover is your pool’s primary shield against heavy snow loads, falling debris, and accidental intrusion by children or pets. Unlike cheap tarps held down by water bags, a tensioned safety cover stays taut across the pool surface, distributing weight evenly. This prevents the dangerous pooling of stagnant water and keeps wind from whipping the cover loose during winter storms.

The Loop-Loc Super Dense Mesh is the industry benchmark because it blends the lightweight handling of mesh with the debris-blocking power of a solid cover. Its ultra-fine weave allows water to drain through so snowmelt does not pool on top, while blocking almost all sunlight to prevent winter algae blooms. The cover is anchored into the deck with high-tensile brass anchors and heavy-duty stainless steel springs that can support literal tons of weight.

• Material: Super dense polypropylene mesh
• Weight Capacity: Exceeds ASTM F1346-91 safety standards
• Sunlight Blockage: Blocks up to 99% of algae-producing light
• Warranty: 15-year pro-rated manufacturer warranty

This cover requires professional-style installation, meaning you will need to drill holes into your concrete or wood deck for the brass anchors. It is ideal for pool owners in regions with heavy snowfall who want absolute peace of mind regarding child and pet safety. However, if your budget is extremely tight or you have a highly irregular pool shape without surrounding decking, a standard tarp-style cover might be your only temporary alternative.

Winterizing Kit – In The Swim Deluxe Winter Kit

Balancing and treating pool water before closing prevents staining, scaling, and massive algae outbreaks during the off-season. Cold water can still host biological growth, and sitting stagnant for six months can ruin a pool finish if the water is left untreated. A dedicated chemical winter kit provides slow-releasing sanitizers and enzymes designed to work in cold temperatures.

The In The Swim Deluxe Winter Kit simplifies this chemical regimen by bundling pre-measured doses of winter oxidizer, stain rust scale preventer, and a winterizing chemical floater. What sets this kit apart is the inclusion of a winter enzyme formula that digests non-living organic waste like pollen and windblown dust. This prevents waterline rings and keeps the water clear until spring startup.

• Pool Size Capability: Kits available for pools up to 35,000 gallons
• Components Included: Winter chlorine-free shock, Winterizer algaecide, Stain Away-C sequestrant, slow-release chemical floater
• Active Temperature Range: Effective in water below 60°F (15°C)

Before tossing the floating sanitizer into the pool, make sure your water chemistry is perfectly balanced—specifically the pH and total alkalinity. This kit is perfect for owners of vinyl liner and plaster pools who want an all-in-one chemical package without the guesswork. It is not suitable for pools that are not thoroughly cleaned of physical leaves and organic debris first, as heavy debris loads will quickly exhaust the chemicals.

Pool Air Pillow – Robelle Ice Equalizer Pillow

When ice forms on a pool’s surface, it expands outward, applying thousands of pounds of lateral pressure directly to the pool walls and tile line. An air pillow sits in the center of the pool, acting as a sacrificial pressure absorber. As the ice sheet expands inward, it compresses the pillow rather than pushing outward against your expensive pool structure.

The Robelle Ice Equalizer Pillow is built from heavy-gauge vinyl designed to withstand extreme sub-zero temperatures without cracking or leaking air. Its double-valve design makes inflation simple and prevents air from escaping while you are sealing the valve. This pillow also features reinforced corner grommets, allowing you to secure it perfectly in the center of the pool using ropes.

• Material: 16-gauge heavy-duty vinyl
• Dimensions: Available in 4′ x 4′, 4′ x 8′, and 4′ x 15′ sizes
• Securing Mechanism: Corner grommets for centering ropes

When using this pillow, only inflate it to about 60 to 70 percent of its capacity. Leaving room for compression is vital, as a fully inflated, rock-hard pillow will simply pop under the pressure of expanding ice. This is an essential purchase for any pool owner in freezing climates using a solid cover, but it is less critical for those using porous mesh safety covers that do not trap rainwater on top.

Skimmer Guard – Gizzmo Ultra Skimmer Bottle

The skimmer is one of the most vulnerable parts of an inground pool because it sits right at the water level and is made of rigid plastic. Water entering the skimmer throat will freeze and expand, easily cracking the housing and causing a major underground leak. A skimmer guard absorbs this expansion while sealing off the plumbing line underneath.

The Gizzmo Ultra Skimmer Bottle is a rugged, heavy-walled plastic cylinder designed to be screwed directly into the bottom of your skimmer. It features a 1.5-inch and 2-inch dual-thread design at the base, allowing it to fit almost any standard inground skimmer line. Once installed, the hollow core collapses under ice pressure, protecting the delicate skimmer walls from cracking.

• Thread Sizes: 1.5-inch and 2-inch male threads
• Height: 16 inches for deep skimmers
• Material: High-density, freeze-absorbent polyethylene

Always use Teflon tape on the threads of the Gizzmo to ensure an airtight and watertight seal inside the skimmer port. This tool is a must-have for anyone living in regions with deep, prolonged winter freezes. It is not necessary for pool owners in mild southern climates where hard freezes are rare and pools remain open year-round.

Expansion Plugs – Anderson Winterizing Plug Kit

Once you blow the water out of your return lines, you must seal them off to prevent water from seeping back in. If water re-enters the plumbing lines and freezes, it will split the underground PVC. Expansion plugs expand inside the pipe opening to create a completely airtight and watertight barrier.

The Anderson Winterizing Plug Kit features premium, heavy-duty rubber plugs with non-corrosive stainless steel bolts and wing nuts. Unlike cheap plastic plugs that crack under pressure or degrade from pool chemicals, these rubber plugs expand evenly against the inside wall of the pipe when tightened. The ribbed rubber design ensures a positive grip, preventing the plug from being blown out by residual air pressure.

• Material: Premium industrial rubber with stainless steel hardware
• Sizes Included: Multi-pack ranging from size #6 to #10 (fits 1.5-inch and 2-inch lines)
• Resistance: Highly resistant to ozone, chlorine, and pool chemicals

When installing these, make sure to wipe the inside of the pool returns clean of any algae or debris to ensure a perfect rubber-to-PVC seal. This kit is ideal for DIY pool owners who want a professional-grade seal that can be reused season after season. It is not suitable for threaded return lines that require specific threaded plugs, though this kit’s expansion plugs can often act as a universal backup.

Cover Pump – Wayne WAPC250 Water Removal Pump

Accumulated water from rain and melting snow adds immense weight to a solid pool cover, stressing the anchors and pulling the cover down. If left unchecked, this weight can actually damage the pool walls or contaminate the pool water with dirty runoff. A cover pump automatically removes this water before it can freeze into a massive, heavy sheet of ice.

The Wayne WAPC250 Water Removal Pump is a submersible pump featuring smart iCON Sensing Technology that turns the pump on and off automatically based on water levels. It senses water at a depth of 2.1 inches and shuts off when the water drops below 0.75 inches, preventing the pump from running dry and burning out. Its stable, wide base resists tipping over, even when placed on uneven cover surfaces.

• Flow Rate: Up to 3,000 gallons per hour
• Detection System: Automatic digital freeze-protection control
• Discharge Connection: Standard 3/4-inch garden hose adapter

Keep in mind that you must keep the pump free of autumn leaves and twigs, as clogged intake vents will cause the motor to overheat. This pump is an absolute necessity for anyone using a solid winter cover or tarp. It is less critical for mesh safety cover owners, although it can still be used to pump down the water level inside the pool if winter rains raise it too high.

Line Blower – Cyclone Pro Line Bypass Blower

Getting every drop of water out of underground lines is the single most important step in the winterization process. Standard shop vacs often lack the air volume and pressure needed to push water up and out of deep, long plumbing runs. A dedicated line blower delivers the high-velocity air necessary to clear main drains, skimmers, and return lines completely.

The Cyclone Pro Line Bypass Blower is the gold standard for pool professionals and serious DIYers alike, powered by a rugged 3-hp motor. It generates 130 CFM of air volume at 3 psi, which is more than enough pressure to blow out lines up to 10 feet deep. The bypass motor design prevents the unit from overheating when air flow is restricted, ensuring long-term durability.

• Motor: 3.0 Horsepower, 120 Volt
• Output: 130 CFM at 3.0 PSI
• Hose Attachment: 1.5-inch flexible hose with quick-connect fittings

Operating this blower requires a methodical approach, as blowing out the lines in the wrong order can lock water inside the system. It is the perfect investment for pool owners with complex plumbing systems, multiple water features, or deep main drains. If you have a very small, simple pool with short pipe runs, you might get by with a high-end shop vac, but the Cyclone offers unmatched peace of mind.

Brass Anchors – Woodtite Concrete Pool Anchors

Safety covers rely entirely on the integrity of the anchors drilled into the surrounding pool deck to maintain tension. Over time, cheap or poorly manufactured anchors can corrode, strip, or pop out under heavy snow loads. High-quality brass anchors ensure a secure hold and recess flush into the deck during the summer so you do not stub your toes.

Woodtite Concrete Pool Anchors are machined from solid brass, offering superior resistance to outdoor corrosion and winter road salt. The threads are precision-cut to prevent seizing, allowing you to easily raise them with an Allen wrench in the fall and lower them flush in the spring. Their ribbed outer collar provides maximum grip when tapped into pre-drilled concrete holes.

• Material: 100% Solid Brass
• Thread Pitch: Standard 3/4-inch head diameter
• Application: Concrete, brick pavers, and mortar joints

When installing these, always use a rotary hammer drill with a masonry bit to ensure clean, straight holes of the correct depth. These anchors are the ideal replacement choice for existing safety cover owners whose old anchors have stripped out or seized. They are not designed for direct installation into soft wooden decks without a specialized wood deck brass anchor flange.

Pool Antifreeze – Splash RV & Marine Antifreeze

Even after blowing out your pool plumbing, small pockets of water can migrate back down into low spots in the pipes. Adding non-toxic pool antifreeze to the lines acts as a secondary insurance policy against freezing. If water does collect, the antifreeze prevents it from forming a solid, expanding block of ice.

Splash RV & Marine Antifreeze is a non-toxic propylene glycol formula that is completely safe for pool plumbing, vinyl liners, and swimming environments. Unlike toxic automotive antifreeze, which never be used in a pool, this formula is biodegradable and safe for the environment. It provides burst protection down to -50°F (-46°C), ensuring your underground lines remain safe in the harshest winter climates.

• Active Ingredient: Non-toxic Propylene Glycol
• Freeze Protection: Burst-proof down to -50°F
• Safety Standards: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) ingredients

Never dilute pool antifreeze with water before pouring it into your lines, as this drastically raises its freezing point and ruins its effectiveness. This product is highly recommended for pool owners in northern states where ground freeze depths reach several feet. It is not necessary for pool lines that have been completely blown out and are located below the local frost line, though most pool pros still use it as cheap insurance.

How to Safely Blow Out Your Pool Plumbing Lines

Blowing out your pool lines is a precise sequence that must be executed with care to avoid damaging your equipment. Start by lowering the pool water level to about four to six inches below the skimmer mouth. Turn off all power to the pool pump at the breaker, and set your multi-port valve to the “Recirculate” or “Closed” position to bypass the filter tank itself, preventing excessive pressure buildup inside the fiberglass filter dome.

Connect your line blower to the skimmer or the pump intake basket using a specialized threaded adapter. Turn on the blower and clear the lines one by one, starting with the returns closest to the equipment pad. When you see a steady geyser of air bubbles erupting from a pool return, immediately insert an expansion plug and tighten it down to seal the line under pressure.

The main drain at the bottom of the pool requires a special technique called “air-locking.” Blow air down the main drain line until you see massive bubbles rising to the surface of the pool, then quickly close the valve at the equipment pad to trap the column of air inside the pipe. Since water cannot compress air, this trapped air pocket prevents water from rising back up into the underground pipe, protecting it from freezing without needing a physical plug at the deep end of the pool.

Storing Your Filtration Gear Safely for the Winter

Your expensive pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator cannot simply sit outside full of water during the freezing winter months. Water trapped inside the pump housing or heat exchanger will crack the cast iron or plastic casings overnight when temperatures drop. To prevent this, locate and remove all drain plugs on your pump, filter tank, and heater, allowing them to drain completely.

Store all removed drain plugs, pressure gauges, and small O-rings inside the pump basket and put the pump lid back on. This keeps all critical, easily-lost parts in one designated location for easy access in the spring. If possible, disconnect the pump motor entirely and store it indoors in a dry basement or garage to prevent moisture from rusting the internal electrical windings.

If you have a cartridge or DE filter, remove the elements, hose them down thoroughly with a spray nozzle, and let them dry completely before storing them in a safe place. Leaving wet, dirty filters inside the tank all winter encourages mold growth and degrades the filter media. For large sand filters that cannot be moved, simply leave the drain cap off the bottom of the tank so any condensing moisture can freely escape.

Taking the time to winterize your inground pool with high-quality, professional-grade equipment is the best way to protect your backyard investment. By sealing the plumbing, balancing the water, and securing a reliable safety cover, you can rest easy through the coldest winter storms. When spring arrives, you will reap the rewards of your diligence with a quick, hassle-free pool opening.