The Art of Not Screwing Up a Pool Closing

If you’ve ever uncovered your pool in spring and found green sludge, a raccoon floatie, or water that smells like pond runoff, congrats. You closed it wrong.

Closing a pool isn’t just putting on the cover and calling it a day. It’s one final performance. The grand finale. Do it well, and opening next year will feel like unwrapping a gift. Do it badly, and you’re starting pool season with regret and a bottle of algaecide.

Checklist for doing it right

• Balance the water first. Get your pH, alkalinity, and calcium in check. You’re locking that water up for months.
• Shock it like you mean it. Kill everything now, so nothing has a chance later.
• Clean it like company’s coming. Vacuum, brush, skim. Don’t leave anything behind.
• Cover securely. Gaps lead to debris. Or worse, uninvited guests. (Yes, squirrels count.)

Spring you will thank Fall you

Take the time now. Do it properly. Because next year, when everyone’s scrambling to fix their pools, you’ll be the smug genius pulling off a clean, blue pool cover and jumping in like a boss.