If you’re like most of us, fall is a time when you have to close your pool. Yes, there are those who are lucky enough to be able to use their pool all year round, but the rest of us have to take a deep breath and close the pool for another year. Sigh. But don’t worry, because taking the necessary steps to properly winterize that pool will mean that it will be in tip-top shape next summer, when the time is right to open it again.

Winter means cold temperatures and cold temperatures mean icy water. If you have standing water in a pool’s pipes or fittings and it freezes, it could damage the fittings, so it’s important that all pipes going into and out of the pool are empty during the winter. Even underground pipes can freeze, so you should use a high-powered air compressor or shop vacuum to flush out the water.

If your pool is tiled, you need to ensure that the pool water level during winter is lower than the tiles. Tiles can crack and break once the water freezes and expands on them, which spells a big mess during the summer. Lower the pool water below the tile line. If you have a liner, you will not need to lower the water too low, as the more water that is inside, the better the cover will protect the pool throughout the winter. Too much immersion in the cover means that water can collect and freeze on top and can cause damage over time.

Of course, you can’t close a swimming pool without using a mixture of winterizing chemicals. Most experts say that a concentrated shock treatment with winter algaecide and a stain treatment product will do the job. You must also adjust the pH and alkalinity of the remaining water. If you are using granular chemicals, mix them in a bucket before putting them in the pool so you don’t have a problem with them staining the bottom of the pool.

It’s also a good idea to fully label the containers or boxes where you will store your skimmers and pool pipes during the winter, and to keep all the little clips, plugs, and clamps together so you won’t be looking for them everywhere in the summer. Keeping your pool things warm and dry during the winter will give them a longer life and keep your pool running smoothly.