Closing/winterizing above-ground pool

[Doppel]

Closing an above ground pool for the first time, in a freezing climate.

I've done my chemicals, I have an air pillow. I have drained the equipment and will be storing it inside.

I guess there are two ways to do this:

1) Dam the skimmer, plug return jet, keep water level high

or

2) Lower water level below the lowest plumbing inlet/outlet (in my case the return jet)

I've chosen 2 for whatever reason, so now water level is about 2" below jet. I removed the little jet eyeball thing. I understand that if a lot of water gets on top of the cover that the water will overflow out of the jet, since it's not plugged, and this is fine. I could plug it and it would overflow through the skimmer, but that seems pointless (?).

Anything glaring I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[The Boston Dangler]

always drop the water level below the returns, then blow out everything with an air compressor and plug all holes. some antifreeze down the skimmer and in the pump would be good, too.

 

[Doppel]

always drop the water level below the returns, then blow out everything with an air compressor and plug all holes. some antifreeze down the skimmer and in the pump would be good, too.

I'm taking the pump inside

I was of the understanding, maybe wrong, that at least one of the holes (e.g. skimmer) serves as a functional overflow if too much rain gets on the cover, so that water can exhaust through it. Is this wrong? If I am going to plug the skimmer and the jet , is there really any point to lowering water level below them anyway, since rain on the cover can bring the level up to them?

 

[skimple]

Its two different approaches. Some people prefer to buy a skimmer plate and return plug, which will close up the leaks and prevent water from escaping. In this case, you don't have to lower the water level, but you also want to avoid getting "extra" water in the pool through the winter or it will start to overflow the railings. If you do this, you won't have to put as much water in the pool in the Spring.

If your cover is a mesh type - which allows water and melted snow to pass through, you probably want the pool to be able to drain as the snow melts to keep the water level from getting to the rail.

My preference is to drain below the return line and let the pool drain through the winter. I have to add water in the Spring, but I like reducing the pressure on the pool walls, particularly with ice expansion.

 

[JoeyP]

When I had a pool, the process was to:
- lower the water a few inches below skimmer inlet
- add winterizing chemicals
- plug the bottom inlet from the inside
- install skimmer plate and gasket
- remove pump and store it indoors
- open filter bottom drain
- set filter valve between 2 settings to allow air in
- cover filter with a large leaf bag, tie it down

 

[boomer6447]

The higher you can keep the pool water the better it will be. Your cover won't get bogged down with leafs and rain/snow, keeping it in better shape.
I have a plug (looks like an upside down bottle) for my return.
Put on cover....mess with that stupid red "string" that secures it all around the pool, and add about fifty layers or "saran wrap"..(i buy it at my pool store) to go all around the edges...seals it in nice, no wind gets under it, etc....
Then try to keep the cover as debris free as you can during the winter...

 

[sdifox]

Closing an above ground pool for the first time, in a freezing climate.

I've done my chemicals, I have an air pillow. I have drained the equipment and will be storing it inside.

I guess there are two ways to do this:

1) Dam the skimmer, plug return jet, keep water level high

or

2) Lower water level below the lowest plumbing inlet/outlet (in my case the return jet)

I've chosen 2 for whatever reason, so now water level is about 2" below jet. I removed the little jet eyeball thing. I understand that if a lot of water gets on top of the cover that the water will overflow out of the jet, since it's not plugged, and this is fine. I could plug it and it would overflow through the skimmer, but that seems pointless (?).

Anything glaring I'm missing?

Thanks!

blow out the pipes as much as you can with a dry/wet vac that can reverse to blow.

take out the jets and the adapter rings and plug them.

put some empty plastic bottles in the skimmer well to act as ice cushion.