How to Winterize Your Pool in Fort Wayne and Avoid Costly Damage

Why Winterizing Your Pool Matters

Fort Wayne winters are no joke, and if you own a pool, preparing it for the cold months ahead is essential. Failing to winterize properly can lead to cracked pipes, damaged equipment, and costly repairs come spring. But with the right steps, you can protect your pool and ensure an easy reopening when warm weather returns.

While some homeowners opt to hire professionals, many pool owners successfully winterize their pools themselves with a bit of planning and effort. Whether you’re a seasoned pool owner or this is your first time closing your pool, the team at Perma Pools will walk you through the most important steps to ensure your investment stays in top condition.

The Right Time to Close Your Pool

Timing is key when winterizing a pool. Close it too early, and you risk algae growth due to lingering warm temperatures. Wait too long, and an unexpected freeze could damage your system. The best time to winterize your pool in Fort Wayne is when temperatures consistently drop below 65°F but before the first hard freeze.

Step 1: Deep Clean Your Pool Before Closing

A dirty pool left untreated over winter can lead to stains, algae growth, and murky water come spring. Start by removing leaves, dirt, and debris using a skimmer net and vacuum. Scrub the walls and floor to eliminate any buildup, and ensure the water is crystal clear before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Balance Your Water Chemistry

Properly balanced water helps prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and algae growth while your pool is closed. A week before shutting down, test and adjust these key levels:

• pH: Between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent acidity or scaling
• Alkalinity: Between 80 and 150 ppm to maintain balance
• Calcium Hardness: Around 175-225 ppm to prevent damage
• Chlorine Levels: Around 2-4 ppm to kill bacteria before closing

Once balanced, add a winterizing algaecide to prevent algae growth and a pool shock to eliminate lingering contaminants.

Step 3: Lower the Water Level (But Not Too Much!)

Lowering your pool’s water level is crucial, but draining too much can damage the structure. The ideal level is 4-6 inches below the skimmer opening for vinyl and fiberglass pools. This helps prevent damage from freezing water expansion while keeping the liner and walls stable.

Step 4: Protect Your Plumbing and Equipment

Water expands when it freezes, and if it’s left in your pool’s plumbing system, it can crack pipes, filters, and pumps. To avoid this costly issue:

• Blow out all pool lines using an air compressor or shop vac.
• Add pool antifreeze (only for pools with complicated plumbing that cannot be fully drained).
• Remove and store all hoses, filters, and removable pool equipment in a dry place.

Step 5: Cover Your Pool Properly

A high-quality winter pool cover is your last line of defense against debris, snow, and freezing temperatures. Choose a cover that fits tightly, prevents sagging, and is designed for Fort Wayne’s harsh winter weather. A safety cover is a great option for added protection against heavy snow loads.

What Happens If You Skip Winterizing?

Neglecting to properly winterize your pool can lead to serious and expensive problems. Without these precautions, you may face:

• Cracked pipes and busted pool equipment from frozen water expansion
• Murky, algae-filled water that’s difficult to clean in spring
• A damaged pool liner or fiberglass shell due to extreme temperature shifts

Fixing these issues in the spring can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars—far more than the small effort it takes to properly close your pool.

Making Spring Opening Easier

Taking the time to properly winterize your pool now will make opening it in the spring quick, easy, and stress-free. When warm weather returns, all you’ll need to do is remove the cover, rebalance your chemicals, and start enjoying your pool again.

If you’re unsure about handling the process yourself, Perma Pools offers expert pool winterization services in Fort Wayne to take care of everything for you. Contact us today to schedule your pool closing and ensure your pool stays protected all winter long.