8 Essential Pool Closing Tools and Accessories for a Backyard Pool

As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the swimming season winds down, securing your backyard pool for the freezing winter months becomes your top priority. Skipping steps or using subpar equipment now guarantees a costly, frustrating headache when you try to open the pool next spring. Equipping yourself with the right winterization tools ensures your pool’s plumbing, shell, and water chemistry remain protected against the harshest winter elements.

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Why Proper Pool Winterization Saves You Money Next Spring

Leaving a pool vulnerable to winter freeze cycles is a recipe for catastrophic structural damage. Water expands by about nine percent when it freezes, creating immense pressure that can easily crack thick PVC pipes, shatter plastic skimmer assemblies, and tear vinyl liners. A single ruptured underground plumbing line can cost thousands of dollars to locate, excavate, and repair once the ground thaws.

Beyond mechanical destruction, poor winterization leads to massive chemical and cleaning bills come spring. A pool that is not properly covered or chemically treated becomes a breeding ground for dark green algae and organic debris. Instead of a quick, clean opening, you will spend weeks buying expensive shock treatments, running your filter constantly, and scrubbing stained pool walls. Proper winter prep isolates the water, safeguards the equipment, and ensures an easy, budget-friendly spring startup.

Pool Safety Cover – Meyco Lite Solid Safety Cover

A safety cover is the ultimate shield for your pool during the off-season, preventing leaves, debris, and snow from entering the water while keeping children and pets safe from accidental falls. Unlike standard tarp covers that float loosely on the surface, a safety cover is anchored under high tension to the surrounding deck. This taut barrier eliminates the drowning hazard of standing water pools that naturally form on top of traditional winter tarps.

The Meyco Lite Solid Safety Cover stands out because it offers the lightweight handling of a mesh cover with the superior debris-blocking power of a solid vinyl cover. Made from a high-grade, puncture-resistant polypropylene fabric, it blocks nearly all sunlight to stop spring algae growth while weighing far less than traditional solid covers. It utilizes heavy-duty, marine-grade stainless steel springs and brass anchors to secure the perimeter.

Installation requires drilling anchor holes into your concrete, pavers, or wood deck, which has a distinct learning curve for first-time DIYers. You must measure your pool dimensions precisely, accounting for steps and water features, to ensure a perfect, taut fit that will not sag under snow loads.

• Material: Lightweight, high-tensile polypropylene
• Anchoring System: Pop-up brass anchors and stainless steel springs
• Debris Protection: Blocks 99% of sunlight to prevent algae
• Best For: In-ground pools in high-wind or heavy-debris areas

This premium cover is ideal for homeowners seeking maximum safety protection and an easy spring opening without wrestling a heavy, water-logged tarp. It is not suitable for above-ground pools or pool owners unwilling to install permanent deck anchors.

Pool Cover Pump – Wayne WAPC250 Pool Cover Pump

Solid covers and winter tarps inevitably accumulate heavy pools of rain and melted snow over the winter. This massive weight puts extreme stress on your cover, anchors, and pool walls, potentially causing structural failure. A reliable pool cover pump automatically removes this standing water, preserving the integrity of your winter cover system.

The Wayne WAPC250 Pool Cover Pump is a top-tier choice due to its intelligent automatic operation and freeze-protection engineering. It features an integrated debris-sensing switch that detects water levels at 2.5 inches and automatically turns the pump on, shutting off when the water drops to 0.5 inches. Its oil-free, high-flow design pumps up to 3,000 gallons per hour while filtering out leaves and twigs through its wide, stable base.

While highly efficient, the pump requires a reliable outdoor GFCI outlet and a discharge hose that is routed away from the pool area to prevent recycling water. If the temperatures drop below freezing before the water is cleared, the unit must be cleared of ice to prevent internal damage to the impeller.

• Flow Rate: Up to 3,000 GPH (Gallons Per Hour)
• Switch Type: Automatic smart-touch sensor (no mechanical float)
• Power Cord: 25-foot heavy-duty power cord
• Best For: Solid in-ground or above-ground winter pool covers

This pump is perfect for pool owners with solid covers who experience heavy rain and winter snowmelt and want a set-it-and-forget-it drainage solution. It is unnecessary for pool owners utilizing high-flow mesh safety covers that allow water to drain directly into the pool.

Pool Air Pillow – Robelle Ice Equalizer Pillow

Above-ground pools face a unique threat: when the top layer of water freezes into a solid sheet of ice, it expands outward, exerting immense pressure on the pool walls. An air pillow sits in the center of the pool under the winter cover, creating a void or compression zone in the ice. When the water freezes, the ice expands inward against the collapsing pillow rather than outward against your expensive pool walls.

The Robelle Ice Equalizer Pillow is built to withstand the punishing pressure of expanding winter ice. Constructed from heavy-gauge, puncture-resistant vinyl, it features a secure, leak-proof valve that prevents air from escaping over months of freezing temperatures. Its reinforced grommets on the corners allow you to center and secure the pillow easily using winter cover strings.

A crucial mistake is inflating the pillow to its maximum capacity; it should only be inflated to about 60% to 70% full. This leaves room for the pillow to compress under ice pressure without popping.

• Material: Heavy-duty 16-gauge vinyl
• Sizes Available: 4×4, 4×8, and 4×15 feet
• Key Feature: Reinforced corner grommets for stable centering
• Best For: Above-ground pools in freezing northern climates

This is an absolute necessity for any above-ground pool owner in regions that experience hard winter freezes. It is not needed for in-ground pools, where the surrounding soil naturally supports the pool walls against ice expansion.

Winterizing Kit – In The Swim Ultimate Winter Kit

Pouring random chemicals into your pool before closing will not keep the water clear until spring. A dedicated winterizing kit provides a synchronized chemical defense system that prevents stains, eliminates organic buildup, and suppresses algae growth in cold, dark water. This ensures your plaster or liner remains bright and your spring opening requires minimal effort.

The In The Swim Ultimate Winter Kit is the gold standard for chemical closing, containing pre-measured components tailored to specific pool volumes. The kit includes a powerful non-chlorine winter shock, a long-lasting winterizer algaecide, a metal stain preventer, and a slow-releasing winter floating dispenser. This multi-phase approach keeps the water chemistry balanced and sanitary even as water temperatures fluctuate during late autumn and early spring.

You must choose the kit size that matches your pool capacity (up to 10k, 20k, or 35k gallons) to ensure proper chemical concentration. For the best results, circulate the pool filter for at least four hours after adding these chemicals before lowering the water level.

• Kit Contents: Winter shock, winterizer algaecide, stain away, winter floater
• Capacity Options: Sized for pools up to 35,000 gallons
• Algae Protection: Multi-stage copper-free formula
• Best For: Both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools

This kit is perfect for pool owners who want a straightforward, pre-packaged chemical regimen without calculating individual chemical dosages. It is not ideal for salt-chlorine pool owners who prefer using specialized mineral-based closing kits.

Skimmer Guard – Gizzmo Ultra Skimmer Protector

Your pool’s skimmer is highly vulnerable to freeze damage because it sits right at the water line where ice forms first. When water enters the skimmer throat and freezes, it expands, easily cracking the plastic housing and causing a major underground leak. A skimmer guard acts as a sacrificial compression chamber, collapsing under ice pressure to absorb the expansion forces.

The Gizzmo Ultra Skimmer Protector is the industry standard for safeguarding in-ground skimmers. This heavy-duty, hollow plastic tube features a built-in blowout channel and 1.5-inch to 2-inch tapered threads at the bottom. It screws directly into the bottom of the skimmer port, sealing off the plumbing line while absorbing ice expansion inside the skimmer well.

Ensure you wrap the threads of the Gizzmo with Teflon tape to create a watertight seal in the skimmer port. If your pool has a deep-well skimmer, you will need the longer 16-inch version rather than the standard 12-inch model.

• Thread Size: Dual 1.5-inch and 2-inch tapered threads
• Length: 16 inches (Ultra model)
• Material: High-density, crack-resistant polyethylene
• Best For: In-ground pool skimmers in freezing regions

This tool is a must-have for in-ground pool owners in cold climates who want to avoid the nightmare of replacing a cracked skimmer throat. It is not necessary for above-ground pool owners who completely drain and disconnect their skimmers for the winter.

Winter Expansion Plug – Anderson Rubber Plug

Once you blow the water out of your return lines, you must seal them off to prevent water from creeping back in and freezing. Standard plastic threaded plugs can leak over time or crack under pressure. High-quality rubber expansion plugs slide into the pipe opening and expand to create an airtight, watertight seal that stands up to freezing temperatures.

The Anderson Rubber Plug is the preferred choice of pool professionals due to its durable construction and reliable sealing power. Made from premium, non-corrosive neoprene rubber and fitted with heavy-duty stainless steel bolts and wing nuts, it resists ozone, pool chemicals, and extreme cold. As you tighten the wing nut, the rubber body expands uniformly, molding to the inside of the pipe to create a flawless seal.

You must measure the inner diameter of your return lines and drain ports to buy the correct plug size. The most common sizes for residential pool plumbing are #9 (1.5-inch lines) and #10 (1.75-inch lines).

• Material: Premium neoprene rubber with stainless steel hardware
• Mechanism: Wing-nut expansion design
• Sizing: Available in sizes #00 through #14
• Best For: Sealing return lines, cleaner lines, and skimmer ports

These plugs are essential for any pool owner winterizing an in-ground pool plumbing system. They are not necessary for pool owners who disassemble their entire above-ground plumbing and store it indoors.

Line Blower – Cyclone Pro Line Bypass Blower

Leaving even a small amount of water inside your underground plumbing lines during a hard freeze will crack the PVC pipes. Traditional shop vacuums do not generate enough backpressure or air volume to push all the water out of deep, complex plumbing loops. A dedicated pool line blower delivers high-volume, low-pressure air that completely clears lines, leaving them completely dry.

The Cyclone Pro Line Bypass Blower is a rugged, commercial-grade machine built specifically for pool winterization. It features a powerful 3.0 horsepower motor that easily forces water out of main drains, return lines, and spa jets, even in deep water. Its bypass blower design keeps the motor cool even when clearing stubborn, air-blocked lines.

This is a powerful, professional tool with a learning curve; improper use can damage older plumbing or blow out gaskets. It requires a heavy-gauge extension cord to handle the motor’s amperage draw without tripping breakers.

• Motor Power: 3.0 HP bypass motor
• Airflow: 130 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
• Hose Connection: Quick-disconnect fitting with flexible hose
• Best For: In-ground pools with complex plumbing and multiple returns

This blower is an excellent investment for dedicated DIY pool owners with large in-ground pools who want to avoid paying a pool company hundreds of dollars every autumn. It is overkill for simple above-ground pools that have short, easily drained hoses.

Pool Cover Weight – Swimline Double Water Tube

If you use a traditional solid winter cover or tarp instead of a safety cover, you need a way to weigh down the edges to prevent wind from lifting it. Heavy concrete blocks, bricks, or wood can tear the cover or damage your pool decking if shifted. Water tubes provide a soft, heavy, and uniform weight along the perimeter that holds the cover firmly in place.

The Swimline Double Water Tube is designed specifically to prevent the rolling and popping issues common with cheap, single-chamber water bags. Constructed from heavy-duty, puncture-resistant vinyl, it features a dual-chamber design that provides a wider, more stable footprint on your pool deck. The large, leak-proof valves make it easy to fill with a standard garden hose.

A critical tip is to only fill the tubes 50% to 70% full with water to allow for freeze expansion. If filled to the brim, the expanding ice will split the vinyl seams, rendering them useless.

• Material: Heavy-gauge, puncture-resistant vinyl
• Chamber Style: Double-chamber safety design
• Length Options: 8-foot and 10-foot lengths
• Best For: Securing solid winter covers on in-ground pools

This product is perfect for in-ground pool owners utilizing traditional solid vinyl winter covers who need a damage-free anchoring system. It is not suitable for pools with safety covers that use brass deck anchors.

Balancing Water Chemistry Before Closing the Gates

Proper water chemistry is the foundation of a successful winter closing. If your pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels are out of balance when you close the pool, the water will become highly corrosive or scale-forming over the winter. This can etch your plaster pool walls, ruin vinyl liners, and stain pool surfaces permanently.

Start by testing and adjusting your total alkalinity to 80 to 120 ppm and pH to a slightly elevated 7.4 to 7.6. Next, ensure your calcium hardness is balanced between 200 and 400 ppm to prevent the water from leaching calcium from your plaster. Finally, add your winter algaecide and shock treatments separately, letting the pump circulate the chemicals for at least 24 hours before lowering the water level.

How to Clear Pool Lines to Prevent Freeze Damage

Clearing your underground plumbing lines is the most critical step of the entire pool winterization process. Begin by lowering the pool water level to about four to six inches below the skimmer mouth, or below the return jets if you do not use expansion plugs. Hook your line blower up to the skimmer line or the pump basket outlet, ensuring all valves are set to route the air down the lines.

Turn on the blower and watch the pool return jets; you will see a massive rush of water followed by a steady stream of air bubbles. Once you see only air blowing out of a return jet, quickly insert an expansion plug and tighten it securely. Repeat this process for each return line, working your way from the line closest to the pump to the furthest, ending with the main drain where you will blow air until it bubbles like a geyser before quickly closing the valve to create an airlock.

Storing Your Pool Equipment Safely for the Winter

Do not let your expensive pool accessories rot in the freezing elements over the winter. Remove all deck equipment, including ladders, handrails, skimmer baskets, and solar covers. Rinse them thoroughly with fresh water, let them dry completely to prevent mold, and store them inside a dry, rodent-free space like a shed or garage.

For your filtration system, remove the drain plugs from your pump housing, filter tank, and heater to drain all remaining water. If you have a cartridge or DE filter, remove the elements, wash them thoroughly, and store them indoors. Leave the drain plugs out of the equipment over the winter so any residual condensation can escape, and wrap the pump motor in a breathable canvas cover to shield it from heavy snow.

Taking the time to properly close your backyard pool using the right tools is the best investment you can make in your property. By securing the cover, clearing the lines, and balancing the chemistry, you protect your pool from devastating freeze damage. Come spring, you will be rewarded with a quick, clean opening and more time to enjoy the water.