The level at which pool skimmers function properly is between one third and about half way up the opening of the pool skimmer. If the water level is too high the debris floating next to the opening may pass by without being pulled into the skimmer.
The skimmer is also a resting place for larger pieces of dirt and debris that are blocked by a skimmer basket. For effective filter action, the water level should be at the midpoint of the skimmer. Too low, and water cannot flow into the filter system at all; too high and the flow will be less efficient.
You don't need to drain your pool, as there is no risk to your pool by it being full. The only thing you lose with a pool filled to the rim is your skimmer's surface cleaning action. Overall, it still draws water and the equipment is just fine.
But you won't need to do any algebra for this one. No matter what your pool size is, your water level should be halfway up your skimmer plate. Just to remind you, your skimmer is the rectangular opening that is built onto the size of your pool wall and connects to your greater circulation system.
When winterizing your above ground pool, lower the water level around 4" to 6" below the skimmer. You can do this with a submersible pump or by siphoning the water out with a short garden hose.
Drain the water down to no more than 6 inches from the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a standard floating winter cover. Use your pool filter, switched to the "Drain" setting, to empty the pool water.
We believe your best bet is to maintain your water level to just below the midway point of your skimmer. Doing so means you're most likely to keep your water level in balance with groundwater throughout the freezing weather.
If your pool water level is too high, your pool will likely experience skimmer malfunctions, pool water overflow, deck damage, and a chemical imbalance. The best fill level for your pool is about ⅓ inch (0.85 cm) from the top of the pool skimmer. Any higher, and the skimmer will malfunction.
The average swimming pool takes 18,000-20,000 gallons of water to fill.
This depends on the type of pool. For above-ground pool, it is best to lower the water up to 18'' below the skimmer. In addition, it is preferable to leave the a good water level in the pool with rain and snow. This way, the pool will retain its shape and prevent water spillage on the ground.
It is designed to be filled with water at all times. If the pump is operated dry, it will burn out the motor and cause you to have to replace an expensive piece of pool equipment. If a pump is allowed to operate dry, it will build up heat that will melt the pump and possibly surrounding plumbing fixtures.
Low Water. Allowing the pool water level to drop too low, meaning below the skimmer, is a big no-no. If this happens, the pump will draw air instead, resulting in loss of prime and running dry. Catch this in time, stop the dry run, and you might have to say good-bye only to your shaft seal – but be sure to replace it.
If your pool pump manufacturer has declared your pump is rain safe, you can leave it on in rainfall. Nevertheless, during a thunderstorm, it is highly recommended that you switch off and unplug your pool pump to prevent any costly and irreversible damages to your pool equipment.
We get asked this question every time there is a heavy rain. That answer is pretty simple when you think about it. The pool will only overflow by the amount of rain in excess of the amount of rain needed to fill the pool to the top.
Pool Overflowing From Rain
Rain, by itself, normally wouldn't harm your pool. However, as rain falls, it deposits pollen and other particles in the air onto the ground and into your pool. Any runoff into your pool will also contain contaminants, which can quickly turn your relaxing, beautiful oasis into a mess.
Every pool must turn over at least once a day, so most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here's the thing: you don't have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.
How often should I have to fill my pool? This will vary depending upon several factors including: weather, if the pool is covered or not, bather load, and if it is heated or not. With pools that are covered, a good rule of thumb is that they should not have to be refilled more often than once every 2 weeks.
It is recommended you have your water level between one-third and one-half up the swimming pool skimmer box opening. If the level is higher than that, it may slow or even stop debris from being pulled into the skimmer box through the plate or valve.
The best way to keep your winter cover on your pool is simply to maintain 2 inches of water on top of it and keep it free of leaves and other debris and monitor the water level inside the pool regularly.
But make no mistake: you should NOT be draining water completely from the pool. In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.
In most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.
Open the main drain valve and close the valve from the skimmer. (To minimize the risk of the pump sucking air when water levels drop below skimmer). Attach a drain hose to the waste outlet on the pump and then set the valve (near the pump or on the filter) to the 'waste' setting to drain out as desired.
If you store your filter in a shed or a detached Garage make sure you cover your filter and keep it away from chlorine or any corrosive chemicals that off gas. Sand filters should be left outside.
Although it's generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time. A proactive, productive and energy-saving maintenance activity is to remove the debris floating on the pool surface with a hand-held skimmer.