TL;DR: The Doheny's Ultimate Pool Winterizing and Closing Chemical Kit for pools up to 35,000 gallons provides complete winterization in one comprehensive package. Application requires balancing water chemistry (pH 7.4 to 7.6, alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm), thoroughly cleaning the pool, adding kit chemicals per instructions, circulating for 24 hours, shocking the pool, lowering water level 4 to 6 inches below skimmer, winterizing equipment, and installing winter cover. The kit costs $60 to $100 and prevents algae growth, staining, and scaling for 3 to 6 months ensuring easy spring opening.
SEO Summary: Comprehensive 2026 guide to using Doheny's Ultimate Pool Winterizing Kit covering kit contents for larger pools, pre winterization water balancing, pool cleaning procedures, chemical application steps, circulation requirements, shock treatment, water level adjustment, equipment winterization, and cover installation for pools up to 35,000 gallons.
Table of Contents
Understanding Doheny's Ultimate Winterizing Kit
The Doheny's Ultimate Pool Winterizing and Closing Chemical Kit for pools up to 35,000 gallons is a comprehensive winterization solution designed for larger residential pools. Doheny's, a trusted pool supply company with over 40 years of experience, formulated this kit to provide all necessary chemicals in proper proportions for pools up to 35,000 gallons, making it ideal for larger in ground pools (20x40 feet or larger) and commercial residential pools.
What's Included in the Kit
The Doheny's Ultimate Kit includes winterizing algaecide providing 3 to 6 months algae prevention at higher concentration for larger pools, stain and scale preventer sequestering metals and minerals to prevent surface damage, clarifier improving water clarity before winterization, pool shock eliminating bacteria and oxidizing organic contaminants, and detailed instructions for proper application. The kit provides larger quantities of each chemical compared to standard kits ensuring adequate protection for pools up to 35,000 gallons.
Benefits for Larger Pools
The kit offers several advantages for larger pool owners including proper chemical proportions eliminating guesswork for 35,000 gallon pools, cost savings versus buying chemicals separately (kit costs $60 to $100 versus $80 to $120 for individual products), convenience of all necessary products in one package, comprehensive instructions ensuring proper application, and proven effectiveness from Doheny's 40 years of pool care expertise.
Step 1: Balance Pool Water Chemistry
Proper water chemistry before adding winterizing chemicals ensures maximum effectiveness and prevents surface damage during dormancy.
Complete Water Testing
Test all water chemistry parameters using a quality test kit. Test pH (target 7.4 to 7.6), total alkalinity (target 80 to 120 ppm), calcium hardness (target 200 to 400 ppm for concrete pools, 150 to 250 ppm for vinyl pools), and current chlorine level (should be 1 to 3 ppm). Record all results to track adjustments needed.
Adjust Alkalinity and pH
Balance total alkalinity first to 80 to 120 ppm using alkalinity increaser or pH decreaser. Then adjust pH to 7.4 to 7.6 using pH increaser or decreaser. For a 35,000 gallon pool, expect to use 4.7 to 9.4 pounds of alkalinity increaser per 10 ppm increase needed, and 2.3 to 4.7 pounds of pH adjuster per 0.2 pH unit change. Allow 4 to 6 hours circulation between adjustments and retest before proceeding.
Verify Calcium Hardness
Ensure calcium hardness is in proper range to prevent water from becoming aggressive and etching pool surfaces during winter. Add calcium hardness increaser if levels are below target range. For a 35,000 gallon pool, expect to use 3.9 pounds of calcium hardness increaser per 10 ppm increase needed.
Step 2: Clean the Pool Thoroughly
Thorough cleaning before winterization prevents algae growth and ensures winterizing chemicals work on water chemistry rather than being consumed by debris.
Remove All Debris
Skim the pool surface using tools like the Deluxe Pool Leaf Skimmer Net to remove leaves, twigs, insects, and floating debris. Empty skimmer and pump baskets. Remove any large debris from the pool bottom before brushing and vacuuming.
Brush All Surfaces
Brush walls, floor, steps, benches, and corners thoroughly using quality pool brushes. For larger 35,000 gallon pools, brushing takes 45 to 90 minutes to cover all surfaces thoroughly. Pay special attention to corners, steps, and areas with poor circulation where algae spores accumulate.
Vacuum the Pool
Vacuum the pool bottom using equipment like the XtremepowerUS Automatic Pool Cleaner. For larger pools, vacuuming takes 60 to 120 minutes to remove all dirt, sand, and debris. Clean or backwash the filter after vacuuming to remove captured debris.
Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals from Kit
Proper application of Doheny's winterizing chemicals ensures complete protection during winter dormancy.
Read Kit Instructions Carefully
Before adding any chemicals, read the complete instructions included with the Doheny's Ultimate Winterizing Kit. Note the order of chemical addition, dosages for your pool size, and any special precautions. Follow manufacturer instructions exactly for best results.
Add Winterizing Algaecide
With pump running, pour the winterizing algaecide slowly around the pool perimeter. For a 35,000 gallon pool, walk around the entire perimeter distributing the product evenly to all areas. The algaecide prevents green, black, and mustard algae growth for 3 to 6 months. Pour near return jets to help distribute quickly.
Add Stain and Scale Preventer
After algaecide, add the stain and scale preventer following the same distribution method. This product sequesters metals (iron, copper, manganese) and minerals (calcium) preventing them from precipitating and staining pool surfaces during winter. For larger pools, proper sequestration is critical as more surface area means greater staining risk.
Add Clarifier
Finally, add the clarifier to improve water clarity before winterization. Clarifier coagulates fine particles making them large enough for the filter to capture. This ensures water is crystal clear when you install the cover. For 35,000 gallon pools, clarifier takes 12 to 24 hours to work fully.
Step 4: Circulate for 24 Hours
Proper circulation distributes winterizing chemicals throughout the pool ensuring complete protection.
Circulation Requirements for Larger Pools
Run pump continuously for 24 hours after adding all winterizing chemicals. For a 35,000 gallon pool, 24 hours circulation provides approximately 1.5 to 2 complete turnovers ensuring thorough distribution. Set pump to normal filtration speed (not low speed if you have a variable speed pump). Larger pools require full circulation time to ensure chemicals reach all areas including far corners and deep ends.
Monitor Pump Operation
Check pump operation periodically during the 24 hour circulation period to ensure it continues running. If pump stops due to power outage or other issues, restart it immediately and extend circulation time to compensate. For larger pools, proper circulation is even more critical as inadequate distribution leaves some areas unprotected.
Step 5: Shock the Pool
Shocking the pool after winterizing chemical circulation eliminates remaining bacteria and oxidizes organic contaminants.
Shock Product Selection and Dosage
Use the shock included in the Doheny's Kit or quality shock products. For a 35,000 gallon pool, use 3.5 pounds of shock (1 pound per 10,000 gallons). Dissolve shock in a bucket of water before adding to pool to prevent bleaching of vinyl liners.
Shock Application and Circulation
Pour dissolved shock around pool perimeter with pump running. Distribute evenly to all areas. Circulate for 8 to 12 hours after shocking. Test chlorine level after circulation (should be 1 to 3 ppm before completing winterization). If chlorine is above 3 ppm, wait for it to drop naturally before proceeding.
Step 6: Lower Water Level and Winterize Equipment
Proper water level and equipment winterization prevent freeze damage.
Lower Water Level
Lower water to 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer opening for in ground pools. For a 35,000 gallon pool, lowering water 6 inches removes approximately 2,000 to 3,000 gallons. Use a submersible pump for efficient water removal. This prevents water from entering skimmer and return lines where it could freeze and cause damage.
Winterize Plumbing and Equipment
Blow out all plumbing lines using a shop vacuum or air compressor. For larger pools with more extensive plumbing, this takes 30 to 60 minutes. Install winterizing plugs in all lines. Add pool antifreeze to lines that cannot be completely drained. Drain pump, filter, and heater completely. For above ground pools, install air pillows before covering.
Step 7: Cover the Pool
Installing a quality winter cover completes the winterization process.
Cover Selection for Larger Pools
For 35,000 gallon pools (typically 20x40 feet or larger), invest in quality covers designed for larger sizes. Ensure covers extend beyond pool edges on all sides. Secure covers properly using water bags filled 2/3 full. Larger pools require 25 to 35 water bags spaced 2 to 3 feet apart.
Cover Pump Installation
For solid covers on larger pools, install a cover pump to automatically remove accumulated water. Larger pool covers accumulate more water requiring reliable pumps with adequate capacity (800 to 1,200 gallons per hour).
Conclusion
Using the Doheny's Ultimate Pool Winterizing and Closing Chemical Kit simplifies winterization for larger pools while ensuring complete protection during winter dormancy. By following these seven steps (balancing water chemistry, cleaning thoroughly, adding kit chemicals, circulating for 24 hours, shocking, lowering water level and winterizing equipment, and installing cover), you ensure your larger pool receives comprehensive protection for 3 to 6 months of winter.
The investment in Doheny's Kit ($60 to $100) prevents spring cleanup costs of $300 to $700 for larger pools by eliminating algae growth, preventing staining and scaling, and ensuring crystal clear water when pools reopen. The convenience of a complete kit eliminates guesswork for larger pools, ensures proper chemical proportions, and provides detailed instructions for successful winterization.
As you prepare for winter 2026, make Doheny's Ultimate Winterizing Kit a core component of your larger pool winterization process. Combined with proper water balancing, thorough cleaning, shock treatment, and complete equipment winterization, Doheny's Kit ensures your pool survives winter in excellent condition and opens cleanly when warm weather returns.
Key Takeaways:
- Doheny's Ultimate Kit provides complete winterization for pools up to 35,000 gallons
- Kit includes winterizing algaecide, stain and scale preventer, clarifier, shock, and detailed instructions
- Balance water chemistry (pH 7.4 to 7.6, alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm) before adding kit chemicals
- Clean larger pools thoroughly by skimming, brushing (45 to 90 minutes), and vacuuming (60 to 120 minutes)
- Add kit chemicals with pump running, distributing evenly around pool perimeter
- Circulate for 24 hours after adding chemicals to ensure complete distribution in larger pools
- Shock pool with 3.5 pounds of shock (1 pound per 10,000 gallons) after chemical circulation
- Lower water level 4 to 6 inches below skimmer removing approximately 2,000 to 3,000 gallons
- Winterize plumbing by blowing out lines, installing plugs, and adding antifreeze
- Install quality winter cover secured with 25 to 35 water bags and cover pump for larger pools
Protect your larger pool with quality winterizing products and proper procedures. Your investment in proper winterization ensures your pool remains protected and ready for enjoyment when swimming season returns in 2026.
