As the weather cools down and the leaves change, it means another summer has gone by and it's time to close your pool before winter time.

Pool owners know that closing their pool is an important job. Pool closing helps prolong the life of your pool, your equipment, prevents damage from the elements, and helps keep the water clear so you can open it more easily when next summer rolls around.

But if you're a new pool owner and you're unsure about the right time for a pool closing, here are some helpful tips:

Ultimately, when you close your pool depends on your local weather. If you live in the Midwest, for example, you'll want to close the pool by late September or early October. If you live in the south, you may never have to close your pool at all.

You definitely want to get a pool closing done before temperatures fall to around freezing at night. Freezing temperatures can freeze water in your pool, which can damage your pool components. Plus, no one likes closing their pool in cool temperatures.

If you've never done a pool closing before, watch the trees on your property. If you have a lot of trees, as the weather cools you'll have a lot of leaves falling off the trees. If you wait too long, you'll have a buildup of leaves to clean out of your pool as you are closing. By acting early, you can eliminate that hassle and focus on other projects before winter arrives.

According to Comfy Living, it's estimated that more than 17% of Americans aged 18-29 own a pool, spa, or hot tub. As fun as those can be, they need to be properly winterized. With your pool, you'll need to balance it properly, sanitize it and brush it clean. You'll also need to add pool chemicals, allow them to filter for at least 24 hours, and then drain water down as necessary. Make sure that you blow out the plumbing lines and plug all lines. Once you've done everything, cover it with a reliable tarp cover.

The earlier you close your pool in the fall, the better off you'll be. If you need help, call your local pool company so that your pool is properly closed up for winter.