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How to Winterize an Above Ground Pool: Complete Checklist

Winterizing an above ground swimming pool requires extra care compared to inground pools because the thin galvanized steel or resin walls are completely exposed to freezing wind on all sides. When water freezes, it expands outward with tremendous force; without proper expansion safeguards, an expanding ice sheet will buckle above ground wall panels, split vinyl liners, and rip skimmer boxes off the side. In addition, exterior pump and filter equipment must be disconnected and brought inside. Follow our step-by-step winterizing protocol and calculate your pool capacity using our above ground pool calculator and pool chemical calculator.

11 min read, updated September 2026

Key takeaways

  • Air pillows placed in the center of the pool absorb inward ice compression, protecting outer pool walls from buckling.
  • Install a winter faceplate cover over the skimmer mouth to avoid draining water below the return jets.
  • Disconnect flexible hoses, pump motors, and multiport valves and store them indoors in a conditioned space.
  • Tighten the perimeter winter cover cable with a ratcheting winch, securing cover clips against winter wind lift.

Why Above Ground Pools Face Greater Freeze Risk

Inground pools benefit from the natural geothermal insulation of surrounding soil. Above ground pools have zero earth insulation: arctic winter winds blow directly against the thin exterior metal shell. As a result, the entire top 6 to 12 inches of pool water freezes into a solid sheet of ice. As this ice sheet expands outward, it acts like a giant hydraulic wedge against the steel walls.

The Role of the Pool Air Pillow

An air pillow does not prevent pool water from freezing. Instead, it breaks the surface tension of the ice sheet and forces expanding ice to crush the flexible air bladder inward rather than pushing outward against the pool walls:

Air Pillow Placement Rule: Inflate pillow to roughly 60% capacity (never 100%) and tether loosely in the dead center of the pool.

Over-inflating the pillow causes it to pop when frozen ice presses against it.

Step-by-Step Above Ground Winterizing Protocol

  1. Clean and vacuum: Vacuum all leaves, algae, and organic debris off the vinyl liner floor.
  2. Balance pool water: Adjust pH to 7.4 to 7.6 and alkalinity to 100 to 120 ppm using our pool alkalinity calculator. Add a winterizing chemical kit containing slow-release winter algaecide.
  3. Protect the skimmer: Snap a winter skimmer seal plate over the intake mouth, or disconnect the skimmer and insert an expansion plug.
  4. Disconnect and store equipment: Disconnect flexible PVC or corrugated hoses. Remove the drain plugs from the pump and sand/cartridge filter tank. Carry the pump, filter head, and chlorinator inside a basement or garage. Leaving motors outside in snow degrades electrical windings and rusts bearings.
  5. Position air pillow and install cover: Float your partially inflated air pillow in the center. Pull the durable winter cover over the pool. Thread the steel cable through the perimeter grommets and tighten down with the ratcheting winch.
  6. Install wind clips: Snap plastic winter cover clips over the top rails to prevent fierce winter gusts from whipping air under the cover.

Winterizing Checklist: Above Ground vs Inground Pools

FeatureAbove Ground PoolInground Pool
Ice Expansion ProtectionCenter Air Pillow (Mandatory)Gizzmos + Line Blowout
Equipment StorageDisconnect and store pump indoorsDrain at equipment pad
Plumbing DrainageDisconnect flexible hosesForce air blowout with Cyclone blower
Cover FasteningSteel cable + Ratchet winchSpring-loaded brass deck anchors

Winter Cover Maintenance Throughout Freezing Months

Do not abandon your pool after securing the cover. When winter snow melts, standing water accumulates on top of the cover. Use a manual siphon or automatic electric cover pump to remove accumulated meltwater; otherwise, excessive weight will pull the cover cable down, stressing top rails and tearing the fabric.

winterize above ground pool FAQs

Can I completely drain my above ground pool for winter?

Never drain an above ground pool. The weight of the water inside is the only structural element holding the thin metal walls upright. Without water, winter winds will collapse the empty pool frame like an empty tin can, and the vinyl liner will shrink and ruin.

Why did my air pillow deflate halfway through winter?

Air shrinks when cooled by freezing temperatures. In addition, cheap vinyl pillows often puncture from sharp ice edges. Use heavy-gauge 16-gauge or 22-gauge vinyl pillows and inflate only 60 percent full.

What should I do if my winter cover gets covered in thick solid ice?

Leave it alone. Attempting to chip, break, or shovel frozen ice off the cover will tear the fabric and puncture the vinyl liner underneath. Wait for outdoor temperatures to warm above freezing and melt the ice naturally before pumping off the water.

How do I keep wind from ripping the winter cover off?

In addition to the steel cable and winch, wrap heavy-duty plastic shrink-wrap 4 to 5 times around the entire top rim of the pool, or use plastic winter cover clips every 18 inches along the top ledge.