Winterizing an above-ground pool starts with one decision: is the exact pool model designed to remain outdoors in freezing weather? Many soft-sided and seasonal frame pools must be drained, dried, disassembled, and stored. Only models whose manufacturer explicitly allows year-round installation should be winterized while standing.
Quick decision guide
| Pool type | Winter approach |
|---|---|
| Inflatable-ring or seasonal soft-sided pool | Usually drain, clean, dry, fold loosely, and store above freezing as the manual directs. |
| Seasonal metal-frame pool | Usually disassemble and store unless the manufacturer expressly approves winter use. |
| Steel-wall or year-round-rated frame pool | May remain standing with model-specific water level, fittings, cover, and equipment removal. |
| Any pool with uncertain documentation | Find the model number and manual or contact the manufacturer before freezing weather. |
When should you winterize?
Plan the work before the first hard freeze, not after ice forms. Water expands when it freezes, and trapped water is most dangerous in narrow equipment passages. Manufacturers may specify a particular air or water temperature for closing; follow that requirement rather than a universal calendar date.
Do not close unusually dirty or algae-filled water. Debris and poor water balance can stain or damage surfaces and make spring opening harder.
Step 1: Find every model-specific instruction
Record the complete model numbers for the pool, pump, filter, heater, salt system, chlorinator, skimmer, and cover. Confirm:
- whether the pool can stay assembled below freezing;
- the required winter water level;
- which fittings must be plugged or removed;
- how each piece of equipment is drained and stored;
- whether the liner has temperature limits; and
- which cover or support system is approved.
A year-round instruction for one steel-wall pool must not be applied to a seasonal frame pool from the same brand.
Step 2: Clean the pool and test the water
Remove leaves and debris, brush accessible surfaces, vacuum if appropriate, and clean the waterline. Test and balance the water within the ranges stated by the pool and chemical manufacturers. Do not copy a fixed quantity of “winter chemicals” from a generic article: dose depends on water volume, existing readings, product concentration, surface material, and local conditions.
Never mix pool chemicals together. Add products separately and exactly as their labels direct. Wear the listed protective equipment, keep children away, and store chemicals in their original containers.
Step 3: Remove accessories and secure access
Remove ladders, steps, toys, cleaners, solar covers, and removable accessories as the manual requires. Clean and dry them before storage. A removable or lockable ladder is also an important access-control measure for above-ground pools.
Winterization does not eliminate drowning risk. CPSC recommends layers of protection, including an effective barrier and secured or removed access ladder. A standard debris cover is not automatically a safety cover, and nobody should stand, walk, or play on it.
Step 4: Lower or drain the water only to the specified level
For a pool designed to remain standing, lower the water only to the level in its manual. Some year-round Bestway pools, for example, use different measurements below the inlet depending on the product line. Draining too far can remove the water support that the walls or liner need; leaving water in fittings can create freeze damage.
For a seasonal pool that must be stored, use the approved drain connection and route water where local rules allow. Never allow discharge to undermine the pool base, flood a neighbor, or enter a prohibited storm drain. Do not leave a partly drained seasonal pool standing if its manual requires disassembly.
Step 5: Disconnect, drain, clean, and store equipment
Switch off electrical equipment at its normal controls and disconnect power before handling user-serviceable components. Follow each manual to isolate and completely drain the pump, filter, hoses, heater, chlorinator, and salt system. Water trapped in a pump housing or filter tank can freeze and crack it.
Bestway’s current year-round guidance says filter pumps should be disassembled when ambient temperature is below 50°F (10°C). Its sand-filter instructions also require winter draining and dry storage in freezing climates. Other brands and models may differ.
Do not run a pump dry, open sealed electrical compartments, or use compressed air unless the equipment manual specifies the method and you have the proper regulator and training. Pool-line blowout can create dangerous pressure and is a good reason to hire a pool professional.
Step 6: Install winter plugs and protection specified by the manual
Use only fittings compatible with the exact skimmer, return, and liner. Do not force a generic plug into a fitting or assume antifreeze is required. If the manufacturer calls for pool antifreeze, use only a product labeled for pools and follow its directions; never use automotive antifreeze.
Expansion pillows or ice compensators are appropriate only where the pool and cover manufacturer recommend them. They do not make a seasonal pool suitable for year-round outdoor storage.
Step 7: Fit the correct cover
Use a cover approved for the pool’s shape, size, and winter configuration. Install it with the manufacturer’s hardware and required support. Keep sharp edges away from the cover and liner.
Manage rain, snow, and debris as the cover instructions require. Do not climb onto the cover to remove a load. Inspect anchors, cables, straps, gaps, and the water level periodically from outside the barrier. If a safety cover is required, verify that the product is specifically rated and installed for that purpose.
Step 8: Inspect through the winter
After storms or temperature swings, check from a safe position for:
- a loose, torn, or badly loaded cover;
- unexpected water-level change;
- leaking plugs or fittings;
- wall movement, bowing, or corrosion;
- ice pressure around skimmers or returns;
- standing water around the base; and
- an unsecured ladder, gate, or barrier.
Do not break ice in the pool with tools. Striking ice can puncture the liner or damage the wall. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified pool professional if the structure changes shape or the water level drops unexpectedly.
Common winterizing mistakes
- Leaving a seasonal pool assembled: Product category, not appearance, determines whether it can stay up.
- Draining a permanent-style pool completely: The remaining water may be structurally important.
- Leaving water in equipment: A drained pool does not mean the pump and filter are empty.
- Using one chemical recipe for every pool: Test results, volume, surface, and labels determine treatment.
- Treating a debris cover as a safety barrier: Continue using barriers and controlled access.
- Running the pump as the only freeze plan: Power loss or equipment failure can still allow freezing; follow the manufacturer’s winter procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Should I completely drain an above-ground pool for winter?
Only if the pool’s manual requires draining and storage. A year-round-rated pool may need water left at a specific level, while a seasonal pool may need complete disassembly. There is no safe universal answer.
Can I leave an Intex or Bestway frame pool up all winter?
Use the exact model manual. Some manufacturers sell both seasonal pools and specifically designated year-round models. Brand name alone does not determine the answer.
Do I need to add antifreeze?
Not automatically. Follow the manuals for the plumbing and equipment. If a labeled pool antifreeze is specified, use only that product as directed. Automotive antifreeze is not a substitute.
Is a winter pool cover safe for children to walk on?
No assumption should be made. A debris cover is not necessarily a safety cover. Maintain barriers, secure the ladder or steps, and never permit anyone to stand or play on the cover.
Can I keep the pump running to prevent freezing?
Continuous circulation is not a substitute for manufacturer-approved winterization. It depends on uninterrupted power and functioning equipment, and water may remain trapped in components. Drain and store equipment as its manual requires.
Bottom line
The safest winter plan is model-specific: store seasonal pools, and winterize only pools explicitly rated to remain outdoors. Clean and balance the water, remove accessories, use the exact drain level, empty and store equipment, fit the approved cover, maintain barriers, and inspect throughout winter. When documents conflict or plumbing must be blown out, use the manufacturer or a qualified pool professional.
Sources
- Bestway: How to Winterize a Year-Round Above-Ground Pool
- Bestway Sand Filter Manual: Winter Storage
- CPSC: Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools
- CPSC: Always Pool Safely
Research note: Temperature Master reviewed current manufacturer winterization material and CPSC pool-safety guidance. Because above-ground pools range from seasonal soft-sided products to year-round steel-wall systems, the article avoids universal drain levels, chemical doses, and equipment instructions.
