The fun part of pool season is swimming. The not-so-fun part? Shutting everything down when the weather cools. It can definitely be tempting to skip proper end-of-season pool equipment maintenance, but it’s often like leaving groceries in your car overnight — you’ll regret it later.

Do it right, and your pool gear lasts longer, your spring opening goes smoother, and you save money on repairs. Here are five tips to get your equipment ready for winter.

1. Make a Pool Closing Checklist and Work Through It Step by Step

The first tip is the simplest one: write down what needs to be done and check it off as you go. A solid pool maintenance checklist for the end of season should cover the basics:

• Backwash and clean your filter
• Balance your pool water one last time
• Remove ladders, skimmers, and baskets for cleaning
• Inspect pumps, heaters, and plumbing for signs of wear

It doesn’t take long, but this list keeps you from forgetting something important. It’s like giving your pool a health check before it goes into hibernation.

2. Drain Your Pump and Filter Completely Before Winter

Water left in your equipment is a recipe for cracks once freezing temperatures hit. Fortunately, winterizing your pool pump and filter isn’t too hard: disconnect the lines, remove the drain plugs, and let every drop out.

You do need to consider the filter type. For a sand or DE filter, you’ll need to backwash and clean it. If you use a cartridge filter, on the other hand, wash and dry the cartridges before storing them. Then, bag the drain plugs so you don’t spend spring digging through drawers looking for them.

It’s certainly more work than just leaving everything, sure. But it also prevents an expensive potential repair later.

3. Pack Small Pool Gear in Bins to Keep It Safe and Dry

Your goal here should be to keep everything organized, dry, and out of the way. When it’s time to store pool equipment for winter, treat your small gear like holiday decorations: 

• Coil vacuum hoses loosely to avoid cracks.
• Store skimmer baskets, return fittings, and vacuum heads in sealed bins.
• Keep bins off the ground in a shed or garage to avoid rodents and mildew.

Come spring, you’ll be glad everything is in one place and ready to go instead of brittle, dirty, or chewed through.

4. Clean and Dry Your Pool Cover Before Storing It

Your cover worked hard all season, and now it’s time to retire it for the winter. To prepare your pool cover for storage, clean it with mild soap, rinse thoroughly, and perhaps most importantly, let it dry. Folding it wet is an open invitation for mold and mildew.

Once it’s dry, fold it neatly and store it in a durable bag. Think of it like putting away a good winter coat: clean and dry now means it’ll be fresh and ready when you need it again.

5. Bring Big Equipment Indoors Instead of Leaving It Outside

It might feel easier to leave pumps, heaters, or filters where they are, but winter weather and UV damage will shorten their lifespan faster than you’d think. So, if the equipment can fit inside, bring it in. And if it can’t, put it under a proper protective cover.

Want Help Closing Your Pool Properly?

Taking care of your pool equipment before winter isn’t just about convenience — it’s about protecting your investment. More often than not, a little effort now means fewer repairs and a smoother start-up in spring.

And if you’d rather leave it to the pros, Clark Pools and Spas offers trusted pool closing and maintenance services to keep your pool in top shape year-round. We can make sure everything is shut down safely and stored correctly, so you don’t have to second-guess in the spring.

Contact us to book your appointment today.