10 Highly Useful Tools And Accessories From Amazon For Closing Down Your Pool

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Whether you've been managing a home pool for years or are new to the game and want to know what you need to prepare it for winter, the importance of good equipment remains the same. It's no good simply netting out the leaves, adding a cover, and calling it a day. Do that, and you could end up with all sorts of problems. Water lines can freeze if not properly cleared, for example. And if you neglect to clean your pool with the right chemicals, you could be looking at a bloom of algae when you come to uncover it in the spring. Don't worry, though. If you're currently dreading ticking your pool off your list of end-of-summer home maintenance tasks, there are some surprisingly useful tools that can make the process much easier.

To help you find them, we've spent some time combing the aisles of Amazon. The result is a list of 10 useful tools and accessories that'll make closing down your pool nice and simple. There are flexible plugs to protect your drain lines, and blowers to clear your pipes and ensure they don't freeze and crack. There are covers to protect your pool and weights to weigh them down, and if you'd rather not know what happens when you don't clean your pool properly, there are tools to help with that, too. What's more, as we'll explain in more detail later, each of our pool-closing picks has been tested by at least 50 real reviewers, and is rated at least 4.2 stars overall.

Whether you're closing down your pool or preparing it for summer, failure to brush your pool properly is one of the biggest pool cleaning mistakes you can make. This means using the right brush. It's best to use one that can reach into the corners of your pool, ensuring that you don't miss anything that could later develop into a bigger problem, like algae. Sepetral's Hemispherical Pool Brush Head is designed with this job in mind. Its hemispherical design means bristles wrap around each end of the brush head. This, in turn, helps to get into those tight, awkward areas where your pool vac or cleaning robot may struggle, ensuring nothing is left behind to fester.

The product usually retails for $27.99, and is compatible with most 1-¼-inch pool poles. It also comes with strong customer feedback. To-date, it's been reviewed by more than 2,570 users, and out of those, 79% awarded it 5 stars. It's rated 4.6 overall, with one user having described it as the "Best Pool Scrub Brush." They added that it's highly durable, and neither overly stiff or flimsy. Importantly, they said, "I love how this brush can even reach those stubborn corners. It has made my pool clean up a breeze." Another user, who also described it as "The best brush in the market," explained that "the side brushes work well and you don't have to brush the same place more than once."

If you're new to pool ownership and are unsure how to close it down, it's important not to drain your pool during the winter. Liners in above-ground pools can shrink and crack if allowed to dry out and become exposed to frigid air temperatures. In the case of in-ground pools, ground movement can actually damage the pool's construction without the weight of water to keep it in place. Instead, it's better to drain it slightly (to prevent water from entering the drain lines and freezing), and then install a pool cover. Yankee Pool Pillow's Winter Pool Cover is available in various sizes, covering a range of above-ground pools. It's thick, heavy-duty build helps withstand the rigors of winter, while quality seams prevent dirt from making its way into the water. Strong fastenings help to keep it in place, especially when used with weights (which we'll cover later). It also includes a specially molded winch, to tighten everything up and ensure a snug fit.

As for ratings, it currently scores 4.4 stars overall thanks to more than 3,700 reviews to-date. Of those, 73% awarded the cover top marks. Its durable build quality earns points from reviewers, including one who, after 31 years of pool ownership, described it as "one of the thickest and most generously sized covers we've seen by far." Interestingly, while it's priced at $129.99, that doesn't seem to put buyers off. As one happy shopper explained, "We don't usually spend much on winter covers. Splurged this year on this one." They said that it's much thicker than they're used to (in a good way), and that it offered a good amount of overhang to help ensure a proper fit.

If you have an above ground pool, then a sturdy pool cover that fits tightly in place is important to protect the inside. To help, you can also add some extra security layers, to ensure that it stays put during heavy weather. TAINAT's Pool Cover Weights are exactly what they sound like. They come in a set of 20 — each a water bag that you fill yourself, and each made from heavy-duty, cold-resistant PVC plastic. In the spring, you can drain them for easy storage, but in the winter, the extra weight should help to keep your cover from moving around when things get windy. You can also use them for other items around your home — perhaps a tarp that you're using to cover your car, or an annoyingly loose lid on your water butt.

Price wise, that set of 20 costs $33.99, or you can buy 10 for $21.99. Either way, they come with the assurance of a 4.6 star rating — the result of more than 110 user reviews to-date. Of those, 77% gave the weights 5 stars, including one buyer who explained, "I have a 22 foot above ground pool and these worked great. The cover hasn't moved and we have had strong winds." Another, who said that they live in an area with strong winds, said, "These weights are a life saver. I've never had a pool cover last more than one winter without ripping from the wind. These are the solution."

As an alternative to weights, Fabflame's Pool Cover Anchor Kit also works hard to ensure your above-ground pool cover stays put. The set is ideal for pools surrounded by grass, whereas weights might be better suited in areas that are laid to concrete or pavers. Each anchor has a corkscrew-style design, allowing it to screw deeply into the ground. Ropes then connect the anchors to the cover, and when they're pulled taut, they help to keep the cover locked down. They're great for those who worry about weights blowing around in the breeze, which may risk tearing less heavy-duty covers.

Each 16-piece set costs $28.99, and includes eight anchors and eight matching ropes. As for reviews, a 4.6-star rating suggests that most who've tried them think they're worth the spend. In fact, out of 58 user reviews to-date, 80% awarded the anchors 5 stars. One user, who described them as "a game changer on how u close your pool!" added that they're easy to install, that the ropes are nice and strong, and that, so far, the anchors have held up nicely. To quote another 5-star reviewer, "These stakes are incredible! Easy to screw into the ground and they stay put."

While the brush we featured earlier is great for loosening debris and stuck-on grime from the bottom of your pool, it does little to remove it from the water. For that reason, a pool vacuum is key to keeping your pool clean. JESIMAIK's Pool Vacuum comes equipped with various accessories to make closing your pool easier. It has two filters with different mesh sizes — one for larger items like twigs and leaves, and one for smaller particles like sand and dirt. It also includes a telescopic pole to help you reach into the depths of your pool. It's cordless, running for up to 60 minutes on a full charge. It also has a widened nozzle for better pick-up, and offers what the brand describes as "effective suction."

Of course, that means little without the backing of good reviews. In this case, it's rated 4.2 stars overall. More than 45 users have offered feedback to-date, and out of those, 69% have awarded it 5 stars. "Impressed!" said one user, who bought the vacuum after experiencing lackluster results from three separate pool robot cleaners. In their own words, "I'm thrilled to say this little handheld vacuum is so much better!" Plenty of others have praised the vacuum, too, complimenting its powerful suction, fast charging, and how well it devours debris. As another user explained, "The suction on this pool vacuum is really strong for a cordless unit, it pulls up sand, leaves, and settled debris without needing multiple passes."

As well as brushing and vacuuming your pool, it's usually best to treat the water with chemicals to ensure it's in fighting shape for the difficult winter months. Doing so makes your water primed and ready when you come to reopen the pool in the spring, instead of grimy and in need of a clean. There are various kits available on Amazon to help with this, one of which is this 4-in-1 Pool Closing Kit from SUMMERBUDDY. It comes with four separate chemical products, which you add to your water in a specified order once the pool has been scrubbed and vacuumed. It includes a pH balancer, a stain removal treatment, plus a chlorine-shock oxidizer, which helps to burn off any organic waste. It also includes a specialized winterizing liquid, which works to prevent algae growth through the cooler months.

All in, the kit usually retails for $25.99, and after more than 60 reviews, it scores a respectable 4.5 stars. 75% of buyers to-date have awarded it the full 5 stars, with most agreeing that it works and that it's easy to use — even for first-time pool closers. One shopper, who titled their review "Simple to use," explained, "This was our first year closing our pool ourselves. This helped us to save money compared to using a pool company." Indeed, value for money crops up time and again in the reviews, with most agreeing that it having everything supplied in one kit makes life considerably easier. As one user put it, "Great product. Had everything we needed to close pool."

Like the kit featured above, AQUASTRONG's Pool Closing Kit features most of the necessary chemicals to clean pools up to 30,000 gallons in size. However, rather than coming with separate packets and bottles, it's supplied with just two capsules. All you do is shake the capsules, toss them into your pool, and leave them to work their magic. Simple, right? It's designed to replace larger kits and save time, and for the most part, it does. Just bear in mind that you may need to shock your pool first before you use it. Unlike the previous kit, this one doesn't come with a shock treatment (or oxidizer). In other words, while it is slightly cheaper ($19.99), you may have to spend extra in order to ensure your chemical cupboard is fully equipped.

Even still, these handy capsules currently score 4.6 stars overall on Amazon, with 81% of more than 250 users awarding them top marks. Many said how easy the capsules are to use, and just as importantly, many commented on how effectively they kept their pools clean. It's even earned itself some repeat customers, including one buyer who said that they "Use it every year" and that, "when I take the cover off in spring, water is clear." To quote another, "I used these for the first time last year. When I opened my pool this spring, the water was a lovely blue!"

Another accessory that can help ensure your pool closing routine is effective is a pool pillow. Designed to float, they sit beneath your pool cover, helping to absorb expansion when water freezes. They also help to prop your cover up, ensuring that rainwater and snowmelt runs off the sides, instead of setting in the middle and sagging the cover. TIXANF's Winter Pool Pillow, like other similar pillows, is designed for above-ground pools. It's available in various sizes and shapes (rectangular and circular) to suit different pools. Importantly, it's made from durable and flexible PVC, which freely expands and contracts as the mercury swings. It also features a double valve, which ensures a solid seal and thus prevents air leakage over the course of the winter.

As for ratings, the pillow currently scores 4.4 stars overall, with 75% of 150 reviewers awarding it top marks. Generally speaking, the pillow is praised for working well, with one buyer who said, "This float works perfect under my pool cover and helps the rain to run off instead of filling my cover in the center." They added that it will make life easier when reopening the pool in the spring, and recommended it to anybody in need of such a device. Just note that some users have questioned the price tag. While feedback is mostly positive, you can expect to pay between $29.99 and $64.99 for what is, essentially, a heavy-duty inflatable. As one user (who was otherwise happy with it) said, it "Only gets 4 stars because I think these things are way overpriced."

If you're wondering what happens to your pool when you don't winterize it, there are several downsides. One is that any grime you leave in the pool at the end of the season can fester, leading to things like algae. Another, more expensive issue is that, if the winters in your region drop below freezing, any water inside your pipework can freeze. If that happens, it'll expand, leading to cracks and leaks. With that in mind, it's best to winterize it. More specifically, it's important to ensure your water is drained below the level of your pool lines, and then blow those lines clear so no water is left behind. Air Supply's 3HP Cyclone Pool Line Blower and Vinyl Vacuum can make this task easier. It pairs with standard 1.5-inch hoses, and as well as clearing your drain lines, it can also help install new vinyl liners by sucking out the air and ensuring a tight seal.

It currently costs $391.74, which, while seemingly expensive, is probably less than you'd spend on having broken plumbing replaced. Another plus is that it currently scores 4.7 stars overall thanks to more than 1,000 reviews. An impressive 83% of those awarded the tool 5 stars, including one who described it as a "Pool Closing Beast — Powerful and Worth It." Another described it as a "Good solid machine that does what it is supposed to do," and one, who said it works like a charm when clearing pool lines, said that it pays for itself in the first year. In their own words, "Buy it once and save the annual cost for closing!"

While clearing the pipes is one of the most important tips for closing your pool for winter, it's smart to also plug them. This is an important step, and will help to prevent rainwater from find its way inside your pipes. If that happens, it could freeze, and as we've seen, you definitely don't want that. BESARME's Pool Return Plugs come as a set of four, and they're available in two sizes, depending on the size of your pipes. A rubber construction and wing-nut tighteners ensure a tight fit and seal, and as for price, they cost between $6.49 and $12.99, depending on the size you need.

Diving into the reviews, they're currently rated 4.3 stars overall, with 66% of more than 335 reviewers awarding them top marks. Most buyers said that they're ideal for keeping their lines blocked in the cold and wet months, and that they're very easy to use. As one put it, "They work. They're plugging the holes I bought them to plug." Just bear in mind that some users have experienced fitment issues, so it's well worth measuring your pipework to ensure they're a match before you buy.

In order to help make closing your pool for winter easier, we searched Amazon for products that are specifically designed for the job. To ensure quality, we focused on products with a minimum overall rating of 4.2 stars. And to make sure those ratings represented a fair assessment of each product's quality, we only featured products with at least 50 reviews from real users.