Above Ground Splash
Above-Ground Pool Winterizing Guide & Supplies
Above-ground pool winterizing is all about protecting your pool before freezing weather, heavy rain, falling leaves, and months of off-season debris arrive.
The right setup usually includes a clean pool, balanced water, winterizing chemicals, a secure winter cover, an air pillow, a skimmer plug or winter plate, and a way to manage water and leaves on top of the cover. You do not need to overcomplicate it, but you do need to close the pool properly.
This page brings together our above-ground pool closing guides and winterizing product reviews so you can work through the process in the right order.
Start with the pool closing guide if you are not sure what to do first, then use the product sections below to choose the supplies you need.
Start here: what do you need to winterize an above-ground pool?
The easiest way to think about winterizing is simple: clean the pool, balance the water, protect the skimmer and plumbing, cover the pool, then keep the cover secure through the off-season.
Most above-ground pool owners will need some combination of these:
A winterizing chemical kit to help protect the water during the off-season.
A winter pool cover to keep debris, rain, snow, and sunlight out.
A pool air pillow to help support the cover and reduce pressure from ice.
A skimmer plug or winter plate to help protect the skimmer area from freeze damage.
A leaf net if your pool sits near trees.
A cover pump or siphon pump if water collects on top of the cover.
Cover clips, wrap, or cable support to help keep the cover secure in windy weather.
You may not need every item. A small pool in a mild area may need a simpler setup than a larger above-ground pool in a freezing climate. But if your area gets frost, snow, or long cold spells, it is worth closing the pool properly instead of hoping the cover alone will do the job.
Best winterizing guides to read first
How to Close Your Above-Ground Pool for Winter
Read this first if you want the full step-by-step process. It should explain when to close the pool, how clean the water should be, how to balance chemicals, how much water to drain, how to protect the skimmer, and when to add the winter cover.
Best for: first-time pool owners and anyone who wants the full closing checklist.
Above-Ground Pool Skimmer Plug Guide
A skimmer plug is one of those small winterizing accessories that can save you a lot of stress. It helps protect the skimmer opening from freeze damage and can reduce the need to drain below the skimmer, depending on your setup.
Best for: pool owners in freezing climates or anyone with a Hayward-style skimmer.
Above-ground pool winterizing products
These are the main product types most above-ground pool owners compare before closing for winter. The goal is not just to buy random winter supplies. The goal is to build a setup that matches your pool size, local weather, cover type, and maintenance routine.
Which winterizing supplies do you actually need?
Not every pool owner needs every winterizing product. A small pool in a mild area may only need a clean close, balanced water, and a secure cover. A larger above-ground pool in a freezing climate may need a more complete setup with a winter cover, pool pillow, skimmer protection, winter chemicals, and a way to manage water on top of the cover.
Winterizing kits
A winterizing kit is usually the easiest place to start if you want a simple chemical closing bundle. These kits are designed to help protect the water during the off-season, but they do not replace cleaning, balancing, covering, or protecting the skimmer.
Best for: pool owners who want a simple chemical kit before covering the pool.
Recommended guide: Poolhacker Pool Winterizing Kit
Pool air pillows
A pool pillow sits under the winter cover and helps create a raised center point. This can help rain, snow, and debris move toward the sides instead of sitting flat in the middle of the cover.
For freezing areas, an air pillow may also help reduce pressure on the pool walls by giving ice some room to expand inward.
Best for: round above-ground pools using a winter cover.
Recommended guide: POOLHACKER Winterizing Pool Pillows
Winter pool covers
A winter cover is one of the most important parts of closing an above-ground pool. It helps keep leaves, sunlight, rain, snow, and debris out of the water while the pool is not being used.
The right cover depends on your pool shape, size, wall height, wind exposure, and how much debris falls into your yard.
Best for: keeping the pool protected during the off-season.
Recommended guide: POOLHACKER Winter Pool Cover
Leaf nets
A leaf net is not the same thing as a winter cover. It is usually placed over the winter cover to catch leaves before they become heavy, wet, and messy.
If your pool is near trees, a leaf net can make spring opening much easier because you can remove a lot of the leaf load before it breaks down on the cover.
Best for: pools near trees or heavy autumn leaf fall.
Recommended guide: Blue Wave Leaf Net Pool Cover
Skimmer plugs and winter plates
The skimmer area is one of the most important parts to protect when winterizing an above-ground pool. A skimmer plug or winter plate can help block water from entering the skimmer and reduce the risk of freeze damage.
Best for: freezing climates and pools with wall-mounted skimmers.
Recommended guide: Above-Ground Pool Skimmer Plug Guide
Cover pumps and siphon pumps
Water sitting on top of a winter cover can become heavy. Over time, that weight can pull the cover down, stress the pool walls, and make the cover harder to manage.
A cover pump or siphon pump helps remove rainwater and melted snow from the top of the cover during the off-season.
Best for: areas with frequent rain, snow, or water pooling on the cover.
Recommended guides: Little Giant Pool Cover Pump / Blue Wave Non-Electric Siphon Pump
Cover wrap, clips, and extra securing tools
Wind can be a real problem for above-ground pool covers. Cover clips, cable systems, and stretch wrap can help keep the cover tighter and reduce flapping.
These are not always essential, but they can be useful if your pool is exposed to strong wind or your cover tends to loosen during storms.
Best for: windy yards and pool owners who struggle to keep the winter cover secure.
Recommended guide: Clear Stretch Film Cover Wrap
Simple above-ground pool winterizing checklist
Before closing your above-ground pool for winter, work through this simple checklist:
Clean leaves, bugs, and debris from the pool.
Brush the walls, floor, steps, corners, and waterline.
Vacuum dirt or settled debris from the bottom.
Test and balance the water.
Shock the pool if needed.
Add winterizing chemicals according to the product directions.
Lower the water level if your pool setup requires it.
Protect the skimmer with a plug or winter plate.
Install a pool pillow if using one.
Fit the winter cover securely.
Add a leaf net if your pool is near trees.
Remove standing water from the cover during the off-season.
Check the cover after storms or heavy wind.
The cleaner and better balanced the pool is when you close it, the easier spring opening usually becomes.
What should you buy first?
If you are starting from scratch, do not buy winterizing supplies randomly. Start with the items that protect the pool itself.
First, make sure you have a proper winter cover that fits your pool size and shape. Then add a pool pillow if you have a round above-ground pool and live somewhere that freezes. After that, look at a winterizing chemical kit, a skimmer plug or winter plate, and a leaf net if your pool is near trees.
If your cover collects water, a cover pump or siphon pump can make off-season maintenance much easier.
The exact setup depends on your pool, but the basic order is:
Winter cover first.
Pool pillow if needed.
Skimmer protection if freezing is a concern.
Winterizing chemicals.
Leaf net if trees are nearby.
Cover pump if water collects on top.
Wind protection if your yard is exposed.
Common winterizing mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is closing the pool while the water is dirty or unbalanced. A winter cover can hide the problem, but it does not fix it.
Another common mistake is using a cover without thinking about water weight. Rain and melted snow can collect on top of the cover, especially if the cover is flat or poorly supported.
Many pool owners also forget the skimmer. If water freezes in the wrong place, the skimmer and fittings can be vulnerable, especially in colder areas.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Closing the pool with leaves or debris still inside.
Skipping water testing before closing.
Forgetting to brush and vacuum before covering.
Using a winter cover that does not fit properly.
Leaving the skimmer unprotected in freezing weather.
Letting water build up heavily on top of the cover.
Ignoring the cover after storms.
Using winter products without reading the product directions.
A good winter setup is not complicated, but it does need a little planning.
Related pool care guides
If you are closing your pool now, it is also worth planning ahead for spring. These guides can help with water testing, shocking, cloudy water, green water, filtration, and reopening your above-ground pool when warm weather returns.
👉 How to clear a green above-ground pool
👉 Pool volume calculator and chlorine dosage guide
FAQ
When should you winterize an above-ground pool?
You should winterize an above-ground pool before freezing weather arrives and once regular swimming season is over. Many pool owners close their pool in late summer or early fall, depending on local weather, water temperature, and how long they plan to keep using the pool.
What do you need to winterize an above-ground pool?
Most above-ground pool owners need a clean pool, balanced water, winterizing chemicals, a winter cover, and a way to protect the skimmer. Depending on your pool and climate, you may also need a pool pillow, leaf net, cover pump, skimmer plug, or extra cover clips.
What chemicals do you put in an above-ground pool before closing?
Most pool owners test and balance the water first, then use chlorine or pool shock if needed before adding winterizing chemicals according to the product directions. The exact products depend on your water condition, pool size, sanitizer type, and whether you are using a winterizing kit.
Do you need a pool pillow for an above-ground pool?
A pool pillow is commonly used under winter covers on round above-ground pools. It can help support the cover, encourage water and debris to move toward the sides, and reduce pressure from ice expansion in freezing climates.
Do you need to drain an above-ground pool for winter?
You usually do not fully drain an above-ground pool for winter unless the manufacturer or pool setup requires it. Some pools need the water lowered below certain fittings, while others may use skimmer plugs or winter plates. Always follow your pool and equipment instructions.
How far should you lower the water in an above-ground pool for winter?
It depends on your pool, skimmer, return fittings, cover type, and whether you use a skimmer plug or winter plate. Some pools need the water lowered below the skimmer or return, while other setups allow you to protect the skimmer without draining as much. Always follow your pool and equipment instructions before lowering the water.
Should you remove the pump and hoses from an above-ground pool for winter?
In freezing climates, many above-ground pool owners disconnect, drain, clean, and store the pump, hoses, and filter equipment indoors for winter. This helps protect the equipment from freeze damage. Always follow your pool and pump manual for the correct winter storage steps.
Should you shock your pool before closing it?
Many pool owners shock the pool before closing, especially if the water has had heavy use, rain, algae, or low chlorine. The water should be clean and balanced before the winter cover goes on.
Does a winter cover keep all debris out?
No winter cover keeps every bit of debris out, especially during wind, rain, snow, or leaf fall. A good winter cover helps a lot, and a leaf net can make things easier if your pool sits near trees.
How do you stop water collecting on a winter pool cover?
A pool pillow can help raise the center of the cover, but rainwater and melted snow may still collect. A pool cover pump or siphon pump can help remove standing water during the off-season.
Can you leave an above-ground pool up all winter?
Many above-ground pools can be left up over winter if they are designed for it and closed properly. The pool should be clean, balanced, protected from freezing damage, and covered securely. Smaller seasonal pools may be better drained, dried, and stored, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can you winterize an above-ground pool yourself?
Yes, many above-ground pool owners winterize their own pool. The key is to clean the pool, balance the water, protect the skimmer and fittings, use the right cover setup, and check the pool during the off-season.