How to Winterize Your Swimming Pool With an Air Pillow
Using an air pillow when closing your above ground pool is an easy and economical way to protect your pool against damage from freezing temperatures.
When closing an above ground pool for the winter, installing an air pillow in the center of the pool before securing the winter cover is an important protective step. As the water in the pool freezes, ice can expand or shift, creating pressure that can damage the pool wall or liner. An air pillow functions as an ice compensator, absorbing and relieving expansion pressure to help protect pool components throughout the winter season.
Inflating Your Air Pillow
To inflate an air pillow, first locate the small red valve on the top of the pillow. Pressing the red tab inward reveals the opening where air enters. A hair dryer on the cool setting, a shop vacuum set to reverse, or a standard air pump can be used to inflate the pillow. For an air pillow to absorb ice pressure properly, it must stay soft and flexible. The air pillow should be inflated to about 60% full so it has room to compress as ice forms. Placing two strips of duct tape over the air valve helps prevent air loss during the winter.
Using Your Air Pillow
The air pillow works best when it stays centered in the pool, helping ice and snow pressure spread evenly. To keep it in place, string should be threaded through the pillow’s grommets and tied to opposite top rails of the pool. The strings should be slightly loose, since tying them too tight can tear the grommets or cause the string to break and allow the pillow to move. Here is an example of how your air pillow should look right before putting your winter cover over it:
Final Thoughts
An air pillow is an inexpensive but important part of proper above ground pool winterization. By helping relieve ice pressure and protecting pool components during freezing temperatures, it provides added protection throughout the winter season. Use the chart below to find the recommended air pillow size for each pool size:
Solstice Electric Air Pump
Solstice Lectro High Capacity Pump is ideal for assisting with inflation for pool air pillows, toys, boats, rafts, beds, etc. Includes 3 adapters for different size inflation valves.
| Pool Size | Suggested Air Pillow Size | Maximum Air Pillow Size |
|---|---|---|
| 12' Round | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 15' Round | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 18' Round | 4' X 8' | (2) 4'X5' |
| 21' Round | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 24' Round | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 27' Round | 4' X 15' | (2) 4' X 15' |
| 30' Round | 4' X 15' | (2) 4' X 15' |
| 33' Round | 4' X 15' | (2) 4' X 15' |
| 8' X 12' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 8' X 14' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 8' X 15' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 8' X 16' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 8' X 19' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 10' X 15' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 10' X 16' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 10' X 18' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' |
| 10' X 19' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' or (2) 4'X5' |
| 10' X 21' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' or (2) 4'X5' |
| 12' X 16' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' or (2) 4'X5' |
| 12' X 17' Oval | 4' X 5' | 4' X 8' or (2) 4'X5' |
| 12' X 18' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4' X 8' or (2) 4'X5' |
| 12' X 20' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' |
| 12' X 21' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' |
| 12' X 24' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 12' X 27' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 14' X 20' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 15' X 23' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 15' X 24' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 15' X 26' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4'X15' or (2) 4'X8' |
| 15' X 30' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4' X 15' |
| 16' X 26' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4' X 15' |
| 16' X 32' Oval | 4' X 8' | 4' X 15' |
| 18' X 33' Oval | 4' X 15' | 4' X 15' |
| 18' X 40' Oval | 4' X 15' | (2) 4' X 15' |
| 21' X 43' Oval | 4' X 15' | (2) 4' X 15' |
Above Ground Pool Closing
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