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. Sign. But don’t worry, because taking the necessary steps to properly winterize your pool will mean it’ll be in tip-top shape next summer, when the time is right to open it up again.

Winter means cold temperatures and cold temperatures mean ice cold 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 flushed during the winter. Even pipes that are underground can freeze, so you’ll want to use a high-powered air compressor or shop vac to push that water away.

If your pool is tiled, you need to make sure that the pool water level during winter is lower than the tile. Tiles can crack and break once the water freezes and expands on them and this spells a big disaster for the summer. Lower the pool water below the tile line. If you have a liner, you don’t need to lower the water too much, as the more water that remains inside, the better it will protect the pool throughout the winter. Too much immersion in the deck means that water can collect and freeze on top and cause damage over time.

Of course, you can’t close a pool without using a winterizing chemical mix. Most experts say a concentrated shock treatment with winter algaecide and a spot treatment product will do the job. You should also adjust the pH and alkalinity in 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 any bins or boxes where you’ll store your pool skimmers and tubing during the winter, and keep all the little clips, plugs, and clamps together so you’re not looking everywhere for them come summer. Keeping pool items warm and dry during the winter will give them a longer life and keep your pool running smoothly.