How low should pool water be in winter?

Author: Prof. Aleen Toy  |  Last update: Saturday, June 25, 2022

Water Level: The water level in your pool should be kept at or just below the skimmer when the cover is in use. However, the water level should not be lower than 18″ from the top of the pool.

How low should you drain your pool for winter?

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.

How far down do you drain your in ground pool for winter?

In-Ground Pools

In-ground pool draining requirements are similar to those of their above-ground counterparts. 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.

What level should pool water be in winter?

Although it may seem scary to leave water in a pool during freezing temperatures, you can actually damage your pool more by removing too much water. Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets.

What happens if pool water level is too high in winter?

It is very important to evaluate the water level in your pool and keep your water level well below the coping and tile or otherwise when the water freezes it will expand and the force of the ice will crack tile and coping resulting in expensive repairs.

How To Keep Your POOL Open All WINTER (Follow These Safety Measures!) | Swim University

Where should my pool water level be?

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.

How much water should I drain from my above ground pool for winter?

Do you need to drain any water when winterizing an above ground pool? The answer hinges on how you protect your skimmer during the winter. If you're concerned about freezing and cracking, and don't use a winter skimmer cover plate, then you should drain the water level below the skimmer and returns.

Is it OK to drain inground pool for winter?

Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.

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.

Should I drain my pool below the return line?

Water level

If a pool has ceramic tiles it is recommended to drain the water a few inches below them, but not further. Some pool owners swear by having their pool drained down past the skimmer. This is usually done instead of blowing out the pipes and using gizzmos.

Should a winter pool cover touch water?

The cover is designed to touch the surface of the water. So your pool should always be filled when covered, and the water level should never go below 18 inches from the top of the pool. Check the water level of the pool and fill it up if it goes below 18 inches.

Does pool water freeze in winter?

Mild climate pools often freeze across the surface overnight. However, if the ice sheet becomes thicker than ¼” to ½”, it will put pressure on your pool tile and skimmers as the ice expands. Most pool tile is frost-free, but you should keep the water under the perimeter pool tile band to be safe.

How often should swimming pool water be changed?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

What do you do with your pool in the winter?

How To Winterize Your Pool in 8 Easy Steps
  1. Clean the pool.
  2. Balance the water.
  3. Remove pool accessories.
  4. Clean and backwash the filter.
  5. Lower the water level.
  6. Drain your pump, filters, heaters, and chlorinating equipment.
  7. Empty your chemical feeder.
  8. Cover your pool.

Can you leave an above-ground pool up during winter?

Pools very rarely need to be drained completely. If you have a vinyl-lined above-ground pool, leaving it full for the winter will protect the vinyl liner from shrinkage and other damage. Since these pools are above ground level, keeping them full ensures that the wind will not damage the walls, liner, or frame.

What is the winterize setting on pool filter?

Winterize position: Used in winter to relieve pressure off seals so they don't flatten and leak over time. Also lets air into the filter to help with draining the water out of your filter during winterizing. Whirlpool position: Used when you want the water to bypass you filter.

Can you leave above-ground pool up all year?

A common question asked is, “Can above ground pools stay up year round?” And although the easy answer is that “Yes, they can,” whether you want to leave them up year-round really depends on the type of pool you have. Dismantling some above ground pools for the winter may be more hassle than it's worth.

Why is my pool water level low?

Typically, pools lose water for one of two reasons: Evaporation or a leak. Evaporation naturally occurs in any body of water, but it may increase under certain conditions, such as hot, humid weather. Leaks, however, indicate a bigger problem that a professional may need to address.

When should I add water to my pool?

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.

How often should the pool be shocked during periods of heavy use?

How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

How long can pool water sit without chlorine?

I think the answer to your question is about 3-6 days. The problem is that the chlorine that you need to keep the bacteria in check is used up more quickly as the temperature rises, the activity increases, and as sweat and other body stuff is put into the pool.

Do pools need to be drained?

Even with proper and regular pool maintenance, it's often necessary to drain your pool — completely or partially — every 3-5 years. Draining your pool often isn't necessary, especially if you're following a proper and regular maintenance program.

How often should pool guy come?

8. You may be paying for weekly service but the guy is coming every other week, or even every three weeks. Since pool guys usually come when you're at work, you have very little way of verifying if and when they're there.

What happens if you don't winterize your pool?

Without winterizing your pool, the water could turn green with algae. If the chlorine system stops functioning, you'll say adieu to the beautiful blue pool you know and love. Come spring, your pool will be a homely sight and cause a real dent in your wallet. Bacteria that feed on algae could even cause health risks.

Can salt water pools freeze?

Will My Saltwater Pool Freeze? Yes, they will! Saltwater pools only have a fraction of the salinity of ocean water, so they will freeze in Ottawa's cold winter temperatures. This is why it's important to drain the water to below the skimmer and blow out any lines when closing the pool for the winter.

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