Inground Pool Closing Instructions: Should You Close and Winterize Your Inground Swimming Pool in Scottsdale?

Every year we get the same call from the newly minted pool owner who has just moved to Scottsdale from places like Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis. They had searched the web for inground pool closing instructions and proceeded to buy a blower, to drain the lines and throw a cover over the pool.

It’s surprising to many pool owners how different closing a pool in the Valley is to up north. In fact, closing a pool here can cause more problems than good for the pool.

Here’s a view from both sides of the argument first why winterizing your pool in the desert looks so different. And then the full step-by-step for closing pools should you decide to head up north for the winter and need to learn how to properly close a pool for home.

Why We Tell Scottsdale Owners Not to Close Your Inground Pool

Most closing guides are written for places with a harsh winter. Up north, the goal is to protect the shell from ice. Water left in the pipes freezes, expands, and cracks pipes. That is why people up there blow out the lines and shut the pool for the winter.

Scottsdale is different. You don't need to winterize your pool like a Midwest home. We get a handful of cold nights, but heavy snow and weeks of hard freeze are not part of our winter season. Shutting a pool down here creates new problems:

• Algae grows anyway. Our winter sun is still strong. A covered, still pool can turn green in a few weeks.
• Dust piles up. Desert wind blows dirt onto the cover and into the water.
• Plaster suffers. Water that sits unbalanced for months can stain or etch the plaster.
• Draining is risky. Draining your pool fully can damage the shell, and it wastes water we can't spare.

"We've opened pools in March that a homeowner closed northern style in November. It's almost always a green swamp with stained plaster. In Scottsdale, the cheapest way to look after the pool is to keep it running."

So when people ask us when it is time to close, our honest answer is: don't. Keep it running, just on a lighter schedule. If you want help switching to a winter routine, ask for a free quote or call (480) 628-1992.

Winterizing Your Pool the Desert Way: What to Do Instead

Getting your pool for winter in Arizona is about slowing down, not shutting down. Here is what a desert winter routine usually looks like:

1. Cut pump hours, don't stop them. Cooler water needs less run time. Most pools still need daily circulation to keep water clear.
2. Turn on freeze protection. Many modern pumps have a freeze mode. It runs the pump when the air gets near freezing, so water keeps moving through the pipes.
3. Keep pool water chemistry steady. Chlorine lasts longer in cool water, so you need less. But pH and alkalinity still matter.
4. Keep the skimmer clear. Leaves from fall trees can clog the pool skimmer fast.
5. Check your heat. If you heat the pool or a hot tub, gas or electric, make sure the unit fires and the area around it is clear.
6. Keep up the cleaning. Brush the walls and floor and empty the baskets. Less work than summer, but not zero.

Our weekly pool cleaning covers all of this in winter too. It is the easiest way to keep the pool safe without shutting it down. Winterizing pool care here is mostly about steady habits.

Northern Closing vs. Scottsdale Winter Care

Here is how a full northern closing compares to what we recommend for pools and spas in the Valley:

Step-by-Step Pool Closing Instructions (If You Truly Need to Close a Pool)

Maybe you own a second home up north. Or maybe you are a first time pool owner who just wants to understand the full process of closing. Here are detailed instructions for closing an inground pool in a cold climate, and what you need to do to winterize a swimming pool where the ground freezes. The steps differ from an above ground pool. We only serve the Valley, and we don't recommend this for homes here, but it helps to know the process.

1. Balance the water. Test the pool water and adjust pH, alkalinity, and calcium. Add a winter dose of pool chemicals, often shock and an algaecide. Use pool products made for winter.
2. Clean the pool. Skim, brush, and vacuum to remove any debris. Leaves left in the water stain the plaster throughout the winter.
3. Lower the water level. Most guides say to drain the water to just below the skimmer and return jets. Don't empty the water in the pool all the way.
4. Clean the filter system. Backwash a sand filter, or clean the cartridges. Then open the drain plug on the filter and pump.
5. Drain the pool equipment. Remove the plug from the pool pump and filter, and drain the heater per its manual.
6. Blow out the pool lines. Use an air compressor or shop vac to push water out of each line. Then plug each jet and the skimmer line.
7. Add antifreeze. Use pool-grade antifreeze in the lines as extra protection. Never use car antifreeze.
8. Cover the pool. Install a winter cover to protect the water from leaves and dirt. A mesh cover lets rain pass through. A solid pool cover blocks sunlight. A safety pool cover adds protection for kids and pets.
9. Store loose parts. Remove ladders, rails, and hoses, and store them in a dry place.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing a cover, and check your equipment manuals. There are plenty of videos on how to close a pool online, but every pool plumbing setup is a little different. A mistake blowing out lines or a missed plug can mean cracked parts in spring.

Leaving Scottsdale for Months? Do This Instead of Closing

Many Scottsdale homeowners split the year. Some leave for the summer, when the heat is at its worst. Others are away for weeks during the off-season. Either way, the instinct is to close and winterize the pool before you go. Before closing your inground swimming pool, try this.

Here is what works better:

• Keep weekly service going. A tech checks the pool, the water, and the equipment while you are gone.
• Set the pump on a timer that fits the season.
• Leave the autofill on if you have one, so the pool stays full.
• Ask for visit notes so you know what is happening at home.

A pool left alone in a Scottsdale summer can go green in days. Weekly service is far cheaper than a green pool cleanup when you get back. Call (480) 628-1992 to set up service while you are away.

Red Flags to Watch for in the Winter Months

Even mild winters can cause trouble. Call a pro if you see:

• A cracked pipe or wet spot near the equipment after a cold night.
• A pump that won't start or hums without moving water. See our pump repair service.
• A heater that won't fire when you need it.
• Water dropping fast. You may have a leak. Our pool leak detection can find it.
• Green or cloudy water after a cold snap or storm.

Small problems are cheaper to fix now than after they turn into a spring emergency.

Winter Is the Best Time for Pool Repair and Resurfacing

Here is a tip most pool companies won't share. Winter is the smartest time for big pool maintenance projects in Scottsdale. You are not swimming much, and cooler temps are easier on new surfaces.

• Pool replastering for rough or stained surfaces.
• Pool acid washing to remove stains and scale.
• Pool tile repair for loose or cracked tile.
• Filter repair or replacement before the summer load hits.

Get the work done now, and your pool is ready the day pool season starts. For more on picking a team, read our guide to swimming pool cleaning companies.

Keep Your Scottsdale Pool Ready All Winter

If you are thinking about closing your pool this year, talk to a local pro first. By following these steps, you can protect the pool from winter elements without shutting it down. In most of the Valley, closing and winterizing the northern way is the wrong move.

Optimal Pool Care helps pool owners in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, and Cave Creek keep their pools clean and running all year.

Not sure what your pool needs this winter? Call (480) 628-1992 or request your free quote. We'll set up a winter plan that keeps your water clear until spring.