Protecting Your Pool Through the Winter

Closing your pool properly is just as important as opening it. When water is left in the plumbing lines, it freezes, expands and cracks the pipes, and dirty equipment left sitting all winter shortens its life. A professional pool closing protects your investment, prevents winter damage and ensures a smooth, hassle free start to the next season. At Fox Pools, our winterization process is designed for complete protection, from the day we close the pool until the day we open it.

What Our Pool Closing Service Includes

Every closing is performed by our trained technicians using professional grade tools and chemicals. Our comprehensive process:

1. Adding the Winterization Kit. We add a winterization kit that includes a strong shock, an algaecide and a stain preventer. Our 30,000 gallon winter kits keep the water clean and protected during the months without circulation.
2. Cleaning the Filter. DE and cartridge filters are deep cleaned with a strong degreaser, so they never sit dirty over the winter. A clean filter extends its life and means clearer water and better performance in the spring.
3. Winterizing the Plumbing and Equipment. Using a specialized high-powered blower, we evacuate all of the water from the plumbing lines and then plug every pipe. Because our equipment fully purges the lines, we do not need to lower the water level in your pool. Since there is no water left in the lines, there is nothing to freeze, expand and cause damage. We install Gizzmos in the skimmers to prevent skimmer damage from ice expansion, then drain and winterize the pump, filter and heater so the system is completely safe to sit without running through the winter months.
4. Installing the Winter Pool Cover. Once the pool is completely winterized, we install the cover. We remove the handrail, ladder and all pool accessories so they can be safely stored, then put the cover in place. We will work with water bag covers, which use water tubes to hold the cover down, but we highly recommend safety covers and proudly install Hydra safety covers.

The Below Grade Challenge

Many pools have below grade plumbing, where the equipment pads sit lower than the pool and the lines run well beneath the surface. These systems are notoriously difficult to winterize. A shop vac or an undersized blower simply cannot push all the water up and out of lines that sit below grade, and any water left behind will freeze, expand and crack the plumbing underground, exactly where repairs are the most expensive. Fox Pools uses a specialized high-powered blower with the air volume needed to fully evacuate below grade lines, so every pipe is truly empty before it is plugged for the winter.

No Need to Lower the Water Level

Many pool companies drain the water down below the skimmers and returns as part of their closing. We do not. Our specialized equipment purges the lines completely with the pool at full level, so there is no reason to drop the water. That saves you real money in the spring, because you are not refilling the pool with hundreds of gallons of fresh water and then paying to balance all that new water with chemicals. Your pool opens at the right level with water that is already conditioned. A full pool also keeps the winter cover properly supported all season.

Getting Ready for Your Pool Closing

A little preparation before our visit keeps your closing quick and smooth. Chemical balancing is not part of our closing service, so please have these items taken care of before our technicians arrive:

• Balance the pool chemicals. Have your water tested and balanced before your appointment so the pool goes into winter with healthy, protected water.
• Clear the yard of debris. Leaves, branches and yard clutter should be cleared away so the cover can be laid out and installed cleanly.
• Set out your winter equipment. Make sure our technicians have access to the pool cover, plugs and Gizzmos on the day of your closing.

Why We Recommend Safety Covers

A standard water bag cover is essentially a tarp held in place by water filled tubes. It keeps some debris out, but it can shift, tear or collapse, and it provides no barrier if a child or pet wanders onto the pool. A safety cover anchors directly into the pool deck and stays under tension all winter, creating a strong, secure barrier over the water. That is why Fox Pools trusts Hydra safety covers on the pools we close.

Every Hydra safety cover is custom made to fit the exact shape of your pool and is independently tested to meet or exceed the ASTM F1346-91 standard for pool safety covers. Each cover is built with heavy duty commercial grade hardware, including stainless steel springs that hold consistent tension, low profile solid brass deck anchors with beauty rings for a clean finished look, double layer webbing sewn on both the top and bottom of the cover for extra tear resistance, and reinforcement strips at every anchor point that protect both the cover and the pool coping from wear. Hydra backs its covers with one of the strongest warranties in the industry, 20 years of pro-rated coverage with the first year covered in full.

Hydra 98.9 Ultra Mesh

The Hydra 98.9 Ultra Mesh is Hydra’s most advanced safety cover material. Its tightly woven fibers block 98.9 percent of sunlight, which helps prevent algae growth and keeps the water noticeably cleaner through the off-season.

• Blocks 98.9 percent of sunlight to fight algae growth under the cover
• Filters out leaves and debris while letting rain and melting snow drain straight through
• Self draining design means no standing water and no cover pump needed
• Lightweight 7.3 ounce woven fabric that is easy to handle, install and remove
• Available in blue, green, grey and tan to complement any backyard
• 20 year pro-rated warranty with the first year covered in full

Hydra Solid Vinyl Covers

Hydra’s solid vinyl safety covers create a total barrier against sunlight, dirt and debris. Nothing gets through to the water, which means the cleanest possible pool at spring opening with minimal cleanup.

• Blocks 100 percent of sunlight for maximum algae prevention
• Complete barrier that locks out dirt, dust and debris all winter
• Built to withstand harsh winter conditions year after year
• Requires a cover pump or drain panel to remove standing water from the surface
• Heavier duty material, so installation and removal is a two person job
• Available in blue, green, grey and tan, with the same 20 year pro-rated warranty

Beyond safety, both cover styles protect the pool itself. Blocking UV exposure extends the life of the pool liner, and reducing evaporation saves water and chemicals for real long term savings.

The Benefits of a Professional Closing

• Complete freeze protection with all water evacuated from the plumbing and every line plugged
• Below grade lines fully cleared with a high powered blower that a shop vac cannot match
• No lowering of the water level, which saves you money on refill water and balancing chemicals in the spring
• Equipment fully drained and winterized so nothing needs to run through the cold months
• DE and cartridge filters deep cleaned with a strong degreaser instead of sitting dirty all winter
• Water protected all season with a winterization kit of strong shock, algaecide and stain preventer
• Reduced staining and algae growth for a faster, cleaner and less expensive spring opening
• Added protection for children and pets when a Hydra safety cover is installed
• Peace of mind all winter, backed by a local team that services what it installs

Caring for Your Pool After Closing

Just because the pool is closed does not mean it is out of mind. A little attention over the winter keeps everything protected and makes for an easy spring.

• Keep the cover clean. Brush or blow off leaves and debris so weight does not build up on the cover. If you have a solid cover, keep an eye on standing water and run the cover pump as needed.
• Check the winterizing components. Every few weeks, take a quick look at the cover tension, plugs and Gizzmos to confirm everything is holding firm and doing its job.
• Look things over after storms. Heavy snow, ice and fallen branches can stress a cover. A quick check after rough weather catches small problems before they become big ones.

Why Homeowners Trust Fox Pools

• A family owned and operated company based in Yorktown, serving all of Hampton Roads
• PHTA Certified Pool Inspector and InterNACHI Certified Pool and Spa Inspector on staff
• Experienced winterization specialists using professional grade equipment, including high powered blowers that fully clear below grade lines
• We service what we install, from Hydra safety covers to pumps, filters and heaters
• Top rated by homeowners across Hampton Roads, with hundreds of five star Google reviews

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Closings

When should I close my pool?

We recommend closing your pool once temperatures drop to around 55 degrees, but a closing can be done at any time before it gets below freezing. Once the cover is on, it prevents algae growth by stopping photosynthesis, which makes the pool much easier to maintain than leaving it open and unused through the cold months. Fall appointments fill up quickly, so call us early to get on the schedule.

Why is blowing out the lines so important?

Any water left in the pipes will freeze, expand and crack the plumbing, which can mean expensive underground repairs in the spring. Our high powered blower evacuates the water and we plug every line, so there is simply nothing left to freeze. This is especially critical for below grade systems, where a standard blower cannot clear the lines completely.

What is included in the winterization chemical kit?

The kit includes a strong shock, an algaecide and a stain preventer. Together they keep the water sanitized, fight algae and protect the pool surface during the months when the system is not circulating.

What is the difference between a water bag cover and a safety cover?

A water bag cover is a loose cover held down by water filled tubes. It offers basic debris protection but no real security. A safety cover anchors into the deck, stays tight all winter and meets ASTM safety standards, providing a true barrier for children and pets.

Should I choose the Ultra Mesh or a solid cover?

Ultra Mesh is lighter, drains on its own and blocks 98.9 percent of sunlight, making it the easiest cover to live with. A solid cover blocks 100 percent of sunlight and all debris for the cleanest possible spring opening, but it requires a cover pump and two people to handle. We are happy to help you decide which fits your pool and lifestyle.

Do you lower the water level when you close the pool?

No. Our specialized blower purges the plumbing lines with the pool at full level, so lowering the water is unnecessary. Keeping the pool full supports the cover through the winter and saves you the cost of refill water and balancing chemicals when the pool opens in the spring.

What do I need to do before my closing appointment?

Have your pool chemicals balanced, clear the yard of leaves and debris, and make sure our technicians have access to your pool cover, plugs and Gizzmos. Chemical balancing is not included in our closing service, so taking care of it ahead of time means your pool goes into winter fully protected.

How long does a pool closing take?

Most closings take one to two hours depending on the size of the pool and its features.

We Will See You in the Spring

Closing day is not goodbye. Fox Pools also performs professional pool openings, so the same team that protects your pool all winter is the one that brings it back to life in the spring. Both our fall closing schedule and our spring opening schedule fill up fast, so get on the books early to lock in the dates that work for you.

Fox Pools LLC  |  2512 Wolf Trap Road, Yorktown, VA 23692  |  757-607-3037  |  admin@foxpoolsva.com

Proudly serving Yorktown, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and all of Hampton Roads