Is it better to drain above ground pool for winter?

Author: Lauren Greenfelder  |  Last update: Monday, July 4, 2022

You'll need to keep draining water off the cover with a pump or siphon to protect it from damage. Important: Never drain an above ground pool completely when winterizing. Your vinyl liner can dry out, shortening its life considerably.

How do I prepare my above-ground pool for the winter?

How to Close Your Above Ground Pool in 10 Steps
  1. Step 1: Deep Clean. ...
  2. Step 2: Balance your Water. ...
  3. Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals. ...
  4. Step 4: Add Pump Protector. ...
  5. Step 5: Protect Your Return and Skimmer. ...
  6. Step 6: Prepare Your Filter for Hibernation. ...
  7. Step 7: Clear the Pool. ...
  8. Step 8: Set Up Ice Equalizer Pillow.

Should I drain my above-ground pool?

Important: Never completely drain an above ground pool. This can cause your pool to collapse. If your pool is plumbed with detachable, flexible hoses, remove them and store for the winter. Remove all drain plugs from the pump, filter tank, and any other pool equipment.

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

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.

Why dont people drain their pool in the winter?

Pool lining can dry out when it's left without water overtime. When it dries out, it can expand and stretch, leading to cracks and imperfections. Then, when you fill the pool back up, the water can seep through those cracks and cause damage.

How to WINTERIZE An Above Ground POOL | Swim University

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

Adjust Water Levels

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.

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.

Should I drain my 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 skimmer for winter?

Why water level is important

You should never drain your inground pool during 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.

Should I drain my Intex pool for winter?

This is why the Intex pools manufacturer strongly recommends draining and disassembling your pool if the temperatures in your area drop to or below 41°F (5°C). And so do we. We don't want your cozy winter by the fire to be ruined by a messy pool collapse.

Will my pool crack if I drain it?

Empty pools are also susceptible to damage from exposure. Vinyl pools tend to contract when emptied, which can result in damage when they are refilled. Gunite or fiberglass pools can crack, and fiberglass pools may suffer bulging or splitting if drained. It may also void your warranty to drain your fiberglass pool.

Will draining a pool damage the liner?

If you drain your pool you can cause your vinyl pool liner to shrink and upon refilling, if the liner has lost its elasticity it can cause the liner to rip or tear. The liner can also become hard and brittle. The older the vinyl material is the more likely this is to happen.

How high should pool water be in winter?

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.

How often should you drain your swimming pool?

Pool industry experts recommend you drain your pool and refill it every five to seven years. No two pools are alike, so there is no set number at which you must drain your pool.

How do I clean my pool liner after winter?

Remove debris and leaves from the pool and clean the filter. Brush the pool surface with a soft-bristled brush to loosen grime, dirt, and algae. Vacuum the surface of the pool (using a liner friendly vacuum) to get rid of remaining leaves, dirt, and debris. Make sure your pool water chemistry is balanced.

Is it safe to drain a pool?

Draining or emptying your pool of water can create a number of financial and structural headaches, including: Cracking the pool's shell. Damaging the interior lining or surface. Damaging the pool's coping and surrounding paving or timber work.

How often should you change the water in an above ground pool?

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.

How long can a swimming pool stay empty?

Modern concrete pools can usually stand being drained for as long as needed, but there'll still be a risk of popping if the ground water level is high. Fibreglass pools are less resilient. The floor may come loose and float to the top when refilled, even after a short period.

How do you drain an above ground pool without flooding the yard?

All you need is a medium-size water or vacuum pump.
  1. Unroll the pump's intake hose so that it reaches the center of the pool (or as close to it as possible), and submerge it in the pool.
  2. Place the outlet hose so the exiting water doesn't flood the area, but drains off away from the pool.
  3. Dry your hands thoroughly.

How long does above-ground pool last?

2018. A high-quality above ground pool from Valley Pool & Spa should last between 10 and 20 years depending on how well you care for it. However, your pool liner will not last as long as your pool. Contact a pool expert at our store to see if you need a new liner before you decide to replace your entire pool.

How do you winterize a pool?

Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Winterise Your Pool
  1. Balance the water. ...
  2. Maintain the pH and Total Alkalinity levels. ...
  3. Keep your phosphates low. ...
  4. Use a copper based algaecide. ...
  5. Bring in the garbage man for your pool. ...
  6. Clean the pool! ...
  7. Clean the filter. ...
  8. Clean your salt cell (if you have a chlorinator)

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.

What happens if pool overflows in winter?

Overflowing water can damage the pool wall structure by corroding and weakening the walls of the pool. The water can cause also cause decks to rot and patios to sink around the pool. Another concern from overflowing water is ice damage, which can cause: Cracked skimmers.

Is it bad if my above ground pool overflows?

But large quantities of precipitation combined with an overflowing pool and poor drainage can cause problems such as flooding, structural damage to the surrounding buildings as well as out of balance swimming pool water chemistry.

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