Before your scheduled pool closing, a little prep helps ensure our team can work efficiently and get your pool properly winterized and closed without delays. To ensure there are no additional charges or rescheduling, here’s what to have ready before your service technician arrives.

 

What to Do Before We Arrive

Add All Winter Chems All winter chems must be added and circulated for a minimum of 8 hours prior to the closing of your pool.

Have All Winterizing Parts Out & Available for the Technician All winterizing parts (plugs, blowout tubes, covers, etc) must be left out by the pool or pool equipment. Otherwise, we’ll provide them, but you’ll be billed for those after the completion of your service.

Autocover Prep All autocovers must be pumped off and free of any water.

Confirm Power & Access to Equipment Power to equipment must be turned on, and an outlet near the pool equipment must be available and working in order to perform your pool closing service.

Lower Water to the Appropriate Level - Do This Before We Arrive All pools, including concrete, wood-wall, and above-ground pools must be drained to the appropriate level for the pool type. If you’re unsure what that level should be, please call 952-894-1480 ext 113 for assistance.

Pools with Mesh or Bag Covers All pools with mesh or bag covers must be drained at or below the skimmers prior to arrival for your pool closure service.

Additional Parts Any necessary parts needed to perform the closing service that aren’t provided will be supplied by Valley Pools and billed at the going sale price.

If You Have Any Questions If you’re unsure about any part of the closing process, please don’t hesitate to call 952-894-1480 ext 113 for assistance.

Please note, cartridge filters are not removed during closings. If you need this service, it must be selected as an add-on service during scheduling.

If you have a solar system, pump & clean autocover, or a spa only closing, please contact us or call 952-894-1480 ext 113 for scheduling and pricing information.

Equipment Disclaimer

• If you do not have pool/spa service history in the last 12 months, we can't confirm equipment is in proper working order.

• There is no warranty on your closing service if air pressure loss is due to a valve seal.

   

Additional work includes, but is not limited to:

• Waiting for pools to drain/fill to appropriate level. Please do this before we arrive, or we may have to reschedule the service and an additional service trip charge may be incurred.

• Repair of equipment, covers, leaks or any other service will be done on a rescheduled service call date.

   

Valley Pools & Spas always does our best to accommodate. However, sometimes it isn’t possible. To ensure your closing goes as smoothly as possible, please contact us or call 952-894-1480 ext 113 if you have any questions about your closing, equipment, preparation procedures, etc.

 

Optional On-Going Pool Maintenance Packages

For owners who prefer ongoing support, Valley Pools & Spas offers professional pool maintenance packages designed to make pool ownership simple, safe, and enjoyable. These maintenance packages are optional, and can be tailored based on how hands-on you want to be with your pool care. Contact a pool service specialist for more details on service packages.

If you’re closing your pool yourself, these general steps help protect your equipment through the winter. This checklist is meant to guide the process, and does not replace professional service or inspections of equipment.

   

General Pool Closing Steps

1. Test and balance water chemistry so winterizing chems work effectively and surfaces are protected all winter
2. General pool cleaning. Skim, brush the walls, and vacuum any debris
3. Lower the water level to the appropriate level for your pool type
4. Add winterizing chemicals and circulate them for at least 8 hours before shutting down the equipment
5. Remove, drain, and store ladders, rails, steps, skimmer baskets and other accessories
6. Drain water from pump, filter, heater, and visible plumbing lines
7. Blow out lines that can’t be fully drained, then plug and cap fittings
8. Disconnect and store any equipment that could be damaged by freezing temps
9. Shut off power to pool equipment
10. Install and secure your winter cover

 

Helpful Reminders

Even after closing, it’s worth periodically checking your cover and water level throughout the winter, especially after heavy snow, or ice. Catching a shifted cover, or dropped water level early can prevent bigger issues once spring arrives.

We can’t stress the importance of remembering to inspect. Catching issues early may mitigate other problems, and repairs down the road.

For homeowners who prefer expert support, Valley Pools & Spas offers professional pool closing services and optional maintenance packages to make each pool season easier.

 

Common DIY Pool Opening Mistakes to Avoid

Closing your pool yourself is doable, but a few common missteps can lead to delays, equipment damage, or problems come spring. Here are some of the most common mistakes.

 

Not lowering the water to the correct level. Water expands as it freezes, and pipes, skimmers, and fittings can crack if the level isn’t set for your pool or cover type.

Skipping water balancing before adding winter chemicals. Unbalanced water lets staining, scaling, or corrosion set in on the surface and equipment over the winter.

Leaving water in pumps, filters, or plumbing lines. Any water left behind can freeze, expand, and crack equipment or pipes.

Closing too early while the water is still warm. Warm water can encourage algae growth, which is harder to deal with once you reopen in the spring.

Letting debris, snow or excessive amounts of water collect on the cover over winter. The added weight can stretch, tear, or sink the cover which lets debris, and water into the pool.

 

If you notice any leaks, potentially damaged equipment, or anything that doesn’t look right during your DIY closing or over the winter, contact us for next steps or to schedule an inspection.