Summary:
When to Close Your Pool in Nassau and Suffolk County
The best time for pool closing in Nassau and Suffolk County is typically mid to late October, when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 50 degrees. You don’t want to close too early and waste swimming time, but you also can’t wait until the first freeze.
Most experts recommend waiting at least until temperature drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit to winterize your pool. However, if you can wait longer until your pool is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you will have a much lower risk of problems occurring. Once temperatures hit freezing, any water left in your plumbing lines can cause expensive damage overnight.
We recommend scheduling your closing by early October to ensure availability, since this is our busiest time. If you have a pool heater, you might be able to extend the season slightly, but most Long Island pools should be winterized by Halloween to be safe.
Temperature Guidelines and Scheduling Your Pool Closing
Understanding the right temperature triggers can save you from costly freeze damage. We recommend closing as late as possible so that the water temperature is lower, which means less chance of algae blooming under the cover when you close later. But timing this perfectly requires watching both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
An important rule of thumb is to close your pool before the temperatures fall below freezing at night. On the one hand, you need to close the pool before the temperatures get below freezing. Definitely close your pool before the temperatures fall under 30°F at night.
The scheduling challenge most Long Island pool owners face is that closure slots fill up rapidly after the middle of August. As soon as you know you won’t be using the pool anymore, you should schedule to close it. If you have a specific date or week that you normally like to close, it’s better to schedule too early than too late. If you schedule early, you’re much more likely to get the day or week that you prefer for the closing.
Smart pool owners start thinking about closing dates in late summer, even if they’re hoping to squeeze out every last warm day. The reality is that most customers close the pool in the September to October time frame when kids are back in school, no one is using the pool, the water is getting chilly, and the leaves start falling.
Weather patterns can be unpredictable, but historical data shows that the rest of October sees a rapid decline in temperature, with highs maxing out in the upper 50s before Halloween. Based on this historical weather data, Long Island pool owners should schedule their pool closing between the second and final week of October.
Signs It's Time to Close and Consequences of Waiting Too Long
Beyond just temperature readings, there are practical signs that indicate it’s time to close your pool. If you have a lot of tree cover in your yard, it’s best to cover your pool before the leaves fall. Once they start dropping, it’s a lot of maintenance to scoop them out. Don’t leave them in the water all winter, either, as they can stain your pool./p>
The consequences of waiting too long can be devastating and expensive. Freeze damage happens fast and gets expensive quickly. Water expands when it freezes, so any water left in your plumbing lines, pump, filter, or heater can crack pipes, destroy equipment, and damage your pool structure.
Insurance typically doesn’t cover freeze damage from improper winterization, so you’re looking at major out-of-pocket repairs. Proper winterization costs a fraction of what freeze damage repairs will run you. We’ve seen pool owners face repair bills in the thousands because they gambled on an extra week or two of potential swimming weather.
The equipment damage isn’t limited to just plumbing. Freezing temperatures can crack pipes, damage equipment, and lead to costly repairs. Pipes and lines can freeze and burst, you could get an algae infestation, and expensive filtration equipment can get damaged. Your pump, heater, filter system, and automation equipment are all vulnerable when water freezes and expands in the wrong places.
What makes this especially frustrating for pool owners is that partial DIY winterization doesn’t work because pool closing is a system where every step depends on the others being done correctly. You can’t just drain some water and throw on a cover – that’s actually how you destroy a pool rather than protect it.
Pool Closing Costs and What's Included in Professional Service
Pool closing services start at $250 for inground pools and $200 for above-ground pools. However, the actual cost varies significantly based on your pool size, equipment complexity, and current condition. A complete professional pool closing typically takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pool size, equipment complexity, and current condition. Simple above ground pools might be done in 2 hours, while large inground pools with extensive equipment, water features, or automation systems can take 4 hours or more.
The investment in professional closing pays for itself when you consider the alternative. Pool closing isn’t just draining water and throwing on a cover. It’s a precise process of chemical balancing, equipment shutdown, plumbing protection, and systematic winterization that prevents thousands in damage.
Complete Pool Closing Process and Equipment Protection
Professional pool closing involves much more than most homeowners realize. Complete pool winterization covers everything your pool needs to survive Long Island’s harsh winters safely. We start with thorough cleaning and debris removal, then balance your water chemistry for winter storage. All equipment gets properly shut down and winterized – pumps, filters, heaters, and automation systems. Every plumbing line gets blown out with compressed air to prevent freeze damage.
The technical aspects require specific knowledge and equipment. You hook up the air compressor to your pump by unscrewing the drain plug on the pump housing and threading your air compressor into the drain plug opening. You may need to purchase an adapter for your air compressor if you don’t have the proper threading. Begin blowing air into the lines until you see bubbles coming from the return lines and the skimmers.
Professional service includes fully licensed and insured technicians who know Long Island’s specific winterization requirements and harsh winter conditions, with a comprehensive 12-step closing process that covers equipment, chemicals, plumbing, and covers – nothing gets missed. This systematic approach is what separates proper winterization from the “drain and cover” approach that destroys pools.
The chemical balancing alone requires expertise. Professional services use a specific winterization chemical program designed for Long Island’s winter conditions, typically including shock treatment to eliminate bacteria and organic matter, algaecide to prevent algae growth during the closed season, and stain prevention chemicals to protect pool surfaces. The exact chemical program depends on your current water condition, pool size, and surface type, with water testing on-site to adjust chemical treatment accordingly.
Winter Plugs, Skimmer Gizmos, and Essential Equipment
Understanding the specialized equipment used in pool closing helps you appreciate why professional service is worth the investment. A gizmo (also called a skimmer gizmo) is a long hollow plastic tube that threads into the skimmer opening and prevents your skimmer from cracking in the winter. The gizmo is an ice compensator, so if water gets into your skimmer and freezes during the winter, the gizmo absorbs the expansion rather than your skimmer, which protects your skimmer from cracking.
Return eyeball fittings must be removed from all return lines and skimmer baskets from all skimmers. All return lines should be large, threaded openings that fit the same-sized rubber plug with a wing-nut. This process requires the right tools and knowledge of your specific pool’s plumbing configuration.
The blowout process is critical and technical. You walk around your pool and plug up all the return lines (the ones that are blowing air bubbles) with rubber plugs. You don’t want to see any more bubbles coming out when you put the plugs in. Keep the air blowing until the air bubbles start to become visible from the return jets in the pool. Put a plug in the fitting under the water when you see the bubbles blowing at full force. This will mean that 99% of the water is out of the pipe. Make sure the plug is in tight!
Water level management is another crucial component that varies by cover type. For mesh pool covers, the water level should be between 15″-18″ below the top of the swimming pool. For solid covers, the water level should be between 12″-16″ below the top of the swimming pool. Depending on the type of pool and cover, you need to lower the water level slightly. For above-ground pools, it’s best to lower the water below the skimmer. For inground pools, lower it about 4-6 inches below the skimmer. Lowering the water helps prevent damage from ice expansion and ensures a better fit for your winter pool cover.
Protect Your Pool Investment with Professional Long Island Pool Closing
Your pool represents a significant investment in your Long Island home, and proper winterization is the insurance policy that protects it through our harsh winters. Professional winterization actually works, so you can stop worrying about freeze damage and expensive spring surprises. Your pool equipment stays protected from freeze damage that can cost thousands to repair. Proper chemical balancing prevents algae growth and staining that ruins pool surfaces over winter. Complete plumbing winterization eliminates burst pipe risks that destroy pool systems.
The timing window for Long Island pool closing is narrow but critical – too early and you waste valuable swimming time, too late and you risk catastrophic freeze damage. A poorly closed pool invites debris, algae growth, and dirty water that’s a nightmare to clean in spring. Neglecting proper winterization can leave you with unexpected expenses and wasted time. Expert pool closing service protects your pool from winter’s worst, keeping it safe, clean, and worry-free. Enjoy a hassle-free spring opening with a pool that’s ready for swimming—not hours of cleanup.
When you’re ready to schedule your pool closing, remember that you should receive a complete winterization checklist showing exactly what was done to protect your investment. Don’t gamble with your pool’s survival through another Long Island winter – contact JAS Aquatics to ensure your pool closing is done right the first time.
