Top 5 Pool Winterizing Kits [Rankings and Reviews]

There’s no arguing that pools are expensive and that you want to protect it as much as possible. Harsh winters can cost you serious money in the long run and make owning a pool time consuming and frustrating, especially if you do not know what you are doing. Protecting your In-ground pools is vital when achieving longevity and value through your investment.

With the necessary chemicals, compatibility and ease of use, you are able to winterize your pool during the down time months – reducing wear and increasing the life span of your pool.

This article will analyze how to reduce the countless stressful hours in the spring and protect your pool overall. Moreover, this article will explain what winterizing entails, how you can do it yourself, and other accessories to consider when protecting your In-ground pool.

We all know you want to get the most out of your pool when you can use it, and a winterizing kit will take the hassle out before the winter hits. Once you start winterizing your pool, you will most definitely be glad you did. Here are five packages to get you started.

Comparing the Top 5 Picks

What is in a Pool Winterizing Kit?

Pool winterizing kits contain all of the chemicals or supplies you need to winterize your pool for the winter. Different needs are all dependent on what type of pool you have. Above ground pools have changed (and require fewer) requirements than In-ground pools. The type of pool you have will ultimately determine what kit will work best for you. Pipes, skimmers, and cleaner lines is something you do not need to worry about with above ground pools than you would with In-ground. Do your research before you buy any kit to make sure that it fits your needs and specifications.

DIY Pool Winterizing

Here is how you can winterize an In-ground pool yourself. Above ground pools are generally a lot easier to close and winterize because they take up less space. Above ground pools are also more natural to drain and clean than in-ground pools. Here is an instructional guide to help you:

Buying Guide

When considering kits to winterize your pool, there are certain things that you will have to consider before purchasing them.

• Ease of Use: First thing is first, is it saving you time? If a winterizing kit is difficult and complex to use and maintain, it could be costing you too much time when preparing your pool for the winter. The last thing you need is to do more than what you are required to do. Who has time for that?
• Chemical Safety: When determining what winterizing chemicals to use, you want to make sure they are safe for you, your friends, and your family. The last thing you want is an unplanned ER visit due to harsh chemicals that can absorb through your skin, even after winter. Safety should always be your number one priority when making things around your home worthwhile for you.
• How Big Your Pool Is: This is very important because different pools come in different sizes. You need to know what size pool your kit takes, which is usually represented by gallons. A 5,000-gallon pool is tiny, whereas a 35,000-gallon pool can be quite large. Make sure the chemical you are buying fits your pool size because the last thing you want to do is to have to buy more of a product to make up for it.
• Quality: This one is a no-brainer. When searching for a winterizing kit, you want to know whether the product works or not. That is why we have taken the work out for you by providing the best product for winterizing your pool.
• Time: You want to know how much time it will take to use the product before buying it (because the goal is to save time, right?). When you do this, make sure you listen to reviews about what people who have used it before you are saying. This will save you the hassle of getting in way over your head than you need to be. There have been countless times when people spend way more time tending to their pool than they do to their family or doing something else that they enjoy. Make the most of it.

Best Pool Winterizing Kit: Review of Our #1 Pick

The best product that we recommend is the In The Swim Pool Winterizing and Closing Chemical Kit:

This kit treats up to 15,000-gallons and is a standard size for most pools. The kit comes with instructions and is easy to use. In the Swim Pool Winterizing Kit includes what you need to protect your pool for the winter. The kit is reasonably priced compared to the time and money you would spend after winter when you are getting your pool ready again. This kit is suitable for both the above ground and In-ground pools.

Compared to other packages, this kit covers a full spectrum of usage, unlike other chemicals, and works very well in protecting your pool. This kit is also chlorine-free and will not stain or bleach your pool liners when using it. You will not have to dread about pool stains again with this kit, especially against ice damage during the winter months.

Other Accessories to Consider

Pool Winterizing Ball

Pool winterizing balls are great for those looking for minimal effort and the cheapest option. They are relatively active, but most tend to lack quality. Most winter balls cannot remove and prevent pool stains, unlike a full kit itself.They do good at providing basic coverage but are a minimal defense line when it comes to winterizing.

The main advantage of pool winterizing balls is that they are very inexpensive, and all you have to do is drain and drop in the ball, and then you are all set to go. Consider purchasing a few to figure out which ones work best with the type of pool that you have.

Pool Winterizing Plugs

There is a basic necessity when winterizing an In-ground pool. They keep your pipes from filling with large amounts of water freezing during the winter months, causing damage to the pipes. These plugs can be used for pool returns, skimmers, and cleaner lines and efficiently protect them.

Pool winterizing plugs go by many names when looking to buy them, such as pool plugs, rubber plugs, expansion plugs, and hole plugs, among other titles. Their primary purpose is to prevent expensive damage in the springtime that prevents you from using your pool as you would like intended.

Pool Winterizing Blower

A blower is almost always necessary for In-ground pools. The blower’s job is to blow out the pool lines while winterizing your pool and is an excellent long-term investment if you plan on keeping your pool around for a long time. Otherwise, blowers can be costly but are necessary if you want to save some hassle rather than trying to clean out your pool lines manually (because who has time for that?).

Pool blowers can cost between $200 – $400. Still, it beats spending thousands on new lines or potentially hazardous bacteria buildup, causing other problems down the line, which is in your best interest to avoid.

Pool Winterizing Pills

These are very similar to pool balls as they require the same steps to use them. Normally by simply dropping them into the water will do the trick for these. However, pool pills are the least effective method of winterizing your pool despite the price.

Most of them tend to be oversold, overpriced, and is more to benefit sellers than the consumer. Pool kits are more effective because they are generally safer and more efficient at protecting your pool. The exception to this rule is with above ground pools, as they are what you use to protect them.

Related Questions

What does Pool Winterizing do?

Pool winterizing keeps the leftover water in your pool from freezing and expanding. Pool winterizing also eliminates or prevents pool stains from happening over time. Different winterizes achieve different things depending on what chemical you buy. The best winterizing chemicals are chlorine-free as they do not cause bleaching.

Winterizing also keeps your pool clean and bright. When you go to open it in the springtime, it requires minimal effort to get it ready to jump in the water again. Winterizing helps to minimize damage caused by ice mainly. Still, many manufacturers add other chemicals to benefit you in different ways.

When do I need to add winterizing chemicals to my pool?

Ideally, you want to add winterizing chemicals to your pool in the fall before the snow hits. When the temperature is cold enough for a jacket, you should add them as soon as possible.

This practice should minimize your pool’s risk of getting ruined due to an unexpected snowstorm or sudden drop in temperature. The goal of winterizing chemicals is to keep the water from freezing and expanding.

It would be hard to prevent that if it is already snowing or the temperature drops below freezing when you are not using your pool for the season; that is when it is also another good time to add them—pool winterizing chemicals last the season. Ideally, you do not want to keep them in for more than approximately four months.

What water level should my pool be at when winterizing?

Ideally, your pool’s water level should be no more than 18 inches from your pool’s top. If using a pool cover, you should keep your pool water level below the skimmers for the best results during the wintertime.

These measurements should keep you from damaging your pool. Still, they will also help with the effect of the winterizing chemicals you use when you close your pool. It will make it easier to open your pool back up in the springtime or summer (ideally spring).

Troubleshooting Your Pool Winterizing Kit

If you ever find yourself where your pool winterizing kit may not be working, there are factors to consider helping you. Always check your pool level to ensure the water is low enough for the chemicals to take effect. If your pool is 30,000-gallons and you buy a compound that only treats up to 25,000-gallons, you may need to buy more of that chemical to compensate.

You may have also bought the wrong chemicals for your pool type if the above mentioned does not work. Only through experimenting with different products will you find what works best for your pool. Always make sure you are buying the correct type of chemicals for your pool to get the maximum results.