Here's how to easily winterize your above ground pool without draining all the water. Amounts shown are what I used for my 15,000 gallon 24-foot pool.
Ingredients
3lbSwimming Pool Shock (chlorine granules)to kill bacteria/algae
20 ozAlgaecide to really kill any potential algae
Mineral Magnet optional, to keep the pool water extra clear
Instructions
Clean out all the debris.
I used the same long telescoping pool pole and a leaf rake attachment that we use all summer long to skim the pool and clean out any leaves, etc.
Remove the ladder(s), toys, and accessories.
Both the ladder that came with the pool and the extra ladder we bought are easy to remove. I also remove the pool light that mounts to the side of the pool to avoid damage from ice.
Treat the water.
I use both swimming pool shock (chlorine granules) and an additional algaecide as listed aboveto raise the chlorine levels and make sure that no bacteria or algae will grow while the pool is covered during the winter and spring.
The pool water pH needs to be between 7.4 and 7.8.
Alkalinity needs to be between 100 parts per million (ppm) and 150 ppm, with right in the middle of 125 ppm being the ideal number.
The chlorine levels need to be between 1 and 3 ppm.
Calcium hardness between 200 ppm and 350 ppm.
For testing the water I like to use AuqaChek Pool and Spa test strips. This will test the calcium hardness of the water, chlorine, alkalinity and pH.
Put on the solar pool cover.
I like to place the solar pool cover on the pool before the heavy duty winter pool cover. Personal preference, and it makes for easy storage!
Turn off and backwash/rinse the filter.
Switch the sand and water filter to "backwash" until all the water is drained from the filter. Then I turn it to "rinse" for a few seconds, and then to "winterize" then "close".
Cap the outlet and remove inlet.
Our pool kit came with a pool outlet cap, which is easy to put in place, and the inlet cap just twists off.
Disconnect and drain hoses.
Loosen the hose clamps and disconnect all the hoses from the filter.
I choose to leave the outlet drain pipe (as shown at 2:45 in the video) so that any extra water from rain or snow melt can drain off, to maintain the water level.
Each filter will be a little different, but the process is generally the same.
Disconnect and remove the pump.
Unplug the pump from the power source and disconnect it from the filter. I drain ours and store it in the shed for extra protection.
Our pump easily removes from the base with a few plastic pins, which I store inside the pump.
Drain the filter and set to winterize.
On our filter, I just open the cap and let it drain. I don't always cover ours, but it's good added protection.
Lock down the final winter cover.
Add the winter cover and ratchet it on tight so the wind and winter weather can't bother it.
The cover does fill up with water from rain/snow, so I just keep an eye on it and pump the water off when it's accumulated enough.