Common Questions About Pool closingS

• WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLOSE A POOL IN ONTARIO?

  The best time to close a pool in Ontario is around Canadian Thanksgiving (early to mid-October). Waiting until October saves pool owners money in the long run. While closing in September might seem like a way to save on running your pump, September’s warm weather and strong sunlight especially through standard mesh safety covers can create the perfect environment for algae.

  September Closings: High risk of opening to green water, leading to expensive spring chemical and cleaning bills.

  October Closings: Cooler water prevents organic growth, keeping your pool clear all winter.

  Need a hand with your pool closing? Contact Crush Pools today to book before spots fill up!

• DO I NEED TO ADD CHEMICALS WHEN CLOSING MY POOL?

  Essential pool closing chemicals include a high-dose liquid chlorine shock to sanitize the water, winter pool antifreeze poured into the skimmer lines to prevent frozen pipe damage, and a specialized winter algaecide to suppress algae growth throughout the cold season. Proper winter chemical dosing protects both your water quality and your plumbing over the long winter months:

  10L Liquid Chlorine: Kills off bacteria and residual organic matter before the cover goes on.

  Pool Antifreeze: Crucial for protecting underground pipes and skimmer assemblies

  against expansion damage from freezing ground water.

  All-in-One Algaecide: Acts as an added layer of defence to keep water clear until spring opening.

  Ensure your pool is chemical-ready for winter. Our Crush Pools Deluxe Closing includes liquid chlorine, skimmer antifreeze, and a premium all-in-one algaecide treatment. Book Online Today!

• SHOULD I DRAIN MY POOL COMPLETELY FOR THE WINTER?

  No, you should never fully drain a pool for the winter. For vinyl liners, the weight of the water is necessary to keep the liner in place. We professionally drain the water to just below the return lines to allow for proper winterization while maintaining the structural integrity of your pool.

• DO I NEED TO BE HOME FOR THE POOL CLOSING?

  Not necessarily. As long as we have access to your backyard, and your pool equipment, our team can complete the entire process. We will email you a digital “Closing Report” once the system is winterized.

• WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE FOR THE TECHNICIANS?

  To ensure a quick and efficient closing, please:

  • Please ensure water and power, as well as all closing supplies – pool cover, winter plugs and gizmos are accessible.
  • Access to the backyard (gates aren’t locked)
  • Please ensure all timers are turned off.
  • Ensure sump wells are drained prior to closing.
  •  

• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FULL CLOSING AND A DELUXE CLOSING?

  A Full Pool Closing includes draining the water level, winterizing equipment/plumbing lines, adding anti-freeze and closing chemicals, and securing your pool cover.

  A Deluxe Closing includes all of these steps plus a free pool cleaning before the winter cover goes on.

   

• WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE MY POOL BEFORE CLOSING IT?

  Before closing your pool, you should thoroughly clean the pool floor, test and balance the water chemistry, and ensure all leaves and debris are removed. Proper preparation prevents winter staining and keeps your equipment safe from freeze damage. Taking the right preparation steps ensures a smooth closing process:

  Clean & Vacuum: Debris left sitting over the winter can permanently stain pool finishes.

  Balance Chemistry: Water should be properly balanced for pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.

  Add Winter Protection: Poured liquid chlorine and pool antifreeze through skimmer lines safeguard pipes from harsh freezing conditions.

  Don’t have time to prep? If you are on a Crush Pools weekly maintenance program, we handle this prep for you! You can also upgrade to our Deluxe Closing Package, where our technicians use a professional trash pump to clear all dirt and leaves prior to closing.

• HOW DO I HANDLE HEAVY FALLING LEAVES IN MY POOL BEFORE CLOSING?

  To handle heavy falling leaves before closing your pool, you can use a robotic surface skimmer to clear floating debris daily or book a professional deluxe closing that utilizes a high-powered trash pump to clean the pool removing all leaves without clogging your pool’s filtration system. While many homeowners consider closing their pool early to avoid dealing with falling leaves, doing so in warm weather leads to severe algae issues. Instead of closing early, consider these solutions:

  Automated Skimming: Use a Dolphin Skimmi robotic pool skimmer to catch leaves on the surface before they sink.

  Deluxe Pool Closing: Upgrade your closing package so our team can vacuum with our trash-pump to remove heavy debris out of your pool on closing day, keeping leaves out of your plumbing.

  Tired of scooping leaves every autumn? Ask the Crush Pools team about purchasing a Dolphin Skimmi or adding a trash pump cleaning to your upcoming pool closing service.

• WHAT IS THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS FOR A PROFESSIONAL POOL CLOSING?

  A professional pool closing involves draining water below the jets, using industrial

  blowers to clear suction and return lines individually, adding winter antifreeze and chemicals, plugging skimmers with a protector gizzmos, and draining all pool equipment, heater, filter, and pump.

  Here is exactly how the Crush Pools team winterizes your pool:

  1. Water Lowering: We lower the water level below the lowest return jet using commercial high-flow pumps.

  2. Suction Line Blowout: We isolate and blow out each skimmer and vacuum line

  individually with 100% air power, pour in pool antifreeze, and seal with a gizzmo protector plug.

  3. Return & Feature Blowout: Each jet, return line, and waterfall line is blown out

  individually and capped with threaded or rubber expansion plugs treated with Teflon and Magic Lube.

  4. Equipment Winterization: All drain plugs are removed from the pump, filter, and heater. Salt cell units are disconnected for indoor storage, and liquid chlorine is added to the pool water.

  5. Cover Installation: We securely anchor your safety cover, lock in or winter tarp. Replacing anchors and water bags if needed.

  Ready for a seamless pool closing? Schedule your professional closing with Crush Pools today!

• HOW DO YOU PROTECT POOL SKIMMERS FROM CRACKING DURING THE WINTER?

  Pool skimmers are protected from freezing by blowing all water out of the suction lines, adding pool antifreeze, and installing a specialized Gizzmo tube into the skimmer thread. The Gizzmo absorbs ground ice expansion by crushing inward, preventing outward pressure from cracking the skimmer body. If you have a mesh safety covers this will be important as the cover lets rain and melting snow drain back into the pool throughout the winter, water levels will naturally rise inside the skimmer.

  Line Isolation: Blowing out the skimmer line prevents ice from forming inside underground plumbing.

  Winter Antifreeze: Added protection directly inside the skimmer housing.

  The Gizzmo Safeguard: Acts as an air-filled cushion. When water freezes inside the skimmer box, ice collapses the Gizzmo inward instead of breaking your plastic skimmer outward.

  Keep your skimmers safe from freezing winter weather. Book your full winterization service with Crush Pools!

• DO YOU NEED TO BLOW OUT POOL WATERFALLS & WATER FEATURES WHEN CLOSING?

  Yes, pool waterfalls and decorative water features must be blown out and drained when closing a pool. Water trapped in elevated stone lines or feature pumps will freeze and crack the rock work or pipework, causing expensive leaks when turned back on in the spring. Waterfalls are especially vulnerable because they sit above ground and are fully exposed to ambient freezing temperatures.

  Dedicated Service: Crush Pools offers dedicated waterfall winterization (for a small $45 add-on fee).

  Complete Protection: We isolate the feature lines and blow out all trapped water to keep your natural stone and plumbing intact.

  Have a waterfall or special rock feature? Be sure to request our waterfall winterization add-on when booking your Crush Pools closing!