If you live in the northern part of the United States or anywhere in Canada and have a pool, listen up. Although it can be a sad day, sometime in the fall you will have to close that pool. I know, it’s a terrible thing, the hot days perfect for sunbathing and splashing in the pool are over, but some thinking now will make it easier to get back up and running in late spring. . And hey, winter won’t last forever!

If you have a temporary pool, simply drain it, give the liner a good wipe down so it’s dry before repacking, and wait out the winter. Discard the old filter, make sure all the water is out of the pipe, and you’re good to go.

However, if you have a permanent pool, either in-ground or above-ground, you’ll need to do a bit more winterizing. Start by cleaning the sides of the pool and vacuuming up any dirt and debris from the bottom. This will make the pool clean before you start to close it. Next, it’s time to lower the water. Ideally, the water level should end below the inlet hole of the skimmer, as you don’t want any leftover water freezing around something important to keeping the pool running for the next year.

Make sure all hoses and pipes are free of water and it’s a good idea to store them in a bag or box that can house all the little clips and pipes together, so nothing gets lost over the winter. Some people keep the little things in the filter itself, just make sure all the water is out and the inside is completely dry before putting anything inside.

When it’s time to put the cover on, make sure it’s securely attached to the pool, and it’s a good idea to put some water on top to keep it down. We all know that the wind can be very unpredictable in the fall. The more care you take putting your pool on bed for the winter, the easier it will be to find all the necessary parts next spring and put it back together so you can once again enjoy splashing and swimming in the summer sun.