FALL CLOSING SEASON IS HERE.
DON'T LET WINTER WIN.
DON'T LET WINTER WIN.
Everything NEPA pool owners need to know about closing an inground pool the right way — plus what happens if you don't.
When to Close Your Pool in NEPA
Target window: Labor Day through mid-October — before overnight temps consistently drop below 50°F.
Waiting until the first hard frost is too late — standing water in lines can freeze and crack overnight.
Closing schedules fill up fast in NEPA once the weather turns — book early, not the week temps drop.
Even if you're still swimming, water balance and equipment prep should start the moment school's back in session.
⚠ Freeze damage is not a "maybe." Every year we get calls from homeowners who waited too long. Cracked returns, split pipes, and a busted filter aren't covered by any warranty — they're 100% avoidable with a properly timed closing.
Your Closing Season Timeline
Now — Labor Day
Schedule your closing date with Blue Bottom Pools. Order your winter safety cover now if you don't already have one — sizing and delivery takes time.
2 Weeks Before Closing
Keep the pump running normally and continue testing water. Don't let chemistry slide just because summer's winding down — a balanced pool closes cleaner and opens easier next spring.
Closing Day
Our crew balances water, lowers the level, blows out and plugs all lines, winterizes equipment, and installs your winter cover. Most closings take under two hours.
Through Winter
Check your cover periodically for standing water, heavy debris, or ice buildup. Small issues caught early are a five-minute fix — ignored ones aren't.
What's Included in a Professional Closing
Blue Bottom Pools Closing Service
- 1Water balancing — pH, alkalinity, and closing chemicals dosed for winter dormancy.
- 2Water level lowered below skimmer and returns to protect against freeze expansion.
- 3Lines blown out with professional equipment — no water left standing in plumbing.
- 4Skimmer, returns, and equipment plugged with rated winterizing plugs.
- 5Pump, filter, and heater winterized to prevent freeze cracking.
- 6Winter cover installed and secured — safety cover or standard, sized to your pool.
Pool Closing — Starting At
$350
Final price depends on pool size and equipment — get an exact quote in minutes.
Winter Safety Covers
A properly rated safety cover keeps out debris, blocks sunlight (which fuels algae), and — most importantly — keeps kids and pets safe over the off-season.
Mesh covers let melting snow and rain drain through, reducing standing water weight.
Solid covers block 100% of sunlight but need a cover pump to remove standing water.
We install and sell Latham-brand safety covers, sized and fitted specifically to your pool's shape.
Already have a cover? Have it inspected before installation if it's more than a few seasons old. Worn straps or degraded fabric won't hold up under a heavy winter load.
Why Freeze Damage Happens
Water expands roughly 9% when it freezes — inside a rigid PVC pipe, that pressure has nowhere to go.
Skimmers, returns, and equipment housings crack from the inside out — often invisible until spring startup.
A cracked line found in April means a repair bill on top of your opening cost, and possible delays getting swimming by summer.
⚠ This is the #1 preventable pool expense we see every spring. A proper fall closing costs a fraction of freeze repair — and takes the guesswork out entirely.
DIY vs. Professional Closing
| Task | Who Handles It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Final chemical dosing before closing | ✓ DIY | Test and balance in the days before your appointment |
| Blowing out lines with proper equipment | ⚑ Call Us | Requires commercial-grade blower; DIY setups often miss water pockets |
| Winterizing heater and salt system | ⚑ Call Us | Improper winterization voids equipment warranty |
| Installing a safety cover | ⚑ Call Us | Improper tensioning strains anchors and straps |
| Checking cover through winter | ✓ DIY | Just a visual check every few weeks |
Book your closing before the frost hits.
Slots fill up fast once temps drop. Call or text Jay to get on the schedule.
(570) 592-5988
Blue Bottom Pools · 131 Rock St, Hughestown, PA · Authorized Hayward Dealer · 20+ Years