The recommended time to close a pool on Long Island is between late September and late October. Closing before the first hard freeze protects exterior plumbing and filter equipment from sudden temperature drops, while waiting until water drops below sixty degrees prevents algae growth under the winter cover.

Professional winterization includes lowering water levels, clearing underground pipes using high-volume air equipment, sealing skimmers and returns with rubber freeze plugs, adding non-toxic pool antifreeze, draining pumps and filtration housings, adding winterizing sanitizers, and securing the protective safety cover tightly over deck anchors.

Water left inside underground lines freezes and expands when ground temperatures drop, splitting rigid plastic pipes and snapping valve bodies. Repairing frozen underground plumbing requires concrete breaking, soil excavation, and expensive pipe replacements that delay spring swimming and cost thousands of dollars to correct.

Swimming pools should never be drained completely for winter. Empty pools risk floating out of the ground due to high water tables, and vinyl liners dry out and tear. Water is lowered just below skimmer openings to clear suction lines while maintaining necessary structural weight.

Yes, above ground pools remain standing year-round when winterized properly. Technicians disconnect external plumbing hoses, drain and store the pump and filter, install skimmer protection plates and air pillows to absorb ice expansion, and secure a heavy-duty winter cover tightly around the outer pool wall.