First, you have to make sure that you have all the leaks in your pool repaired. Then keep track of the water for a few days to see if you are losing any.
Keeping the water level at a normal height will be better for your winter cover. However, if you have a tile border around your pool, you will need to lower the water at least 4 inches below the tile, just to protect it.
How much water should be in the pool when you close it?
Before closing your pool, you should have checked the temperature of the water, which should be below 65 degrees to avoid algae growth and low water level.
Drain the water level below the hoses. You want to make sure that all your hoses don’t have any water in them, and also drain your water below the skimmer so that water is no longer in your lines. You will also want to disconnect your pump and hose from the wall.
However you want to do it, make sure all the water is completely drained from the lines, so that when you get an ice storm or 31 to 20 degree temperatures, the lines won’t burst. Open any area where the water can drain and let it dry out.
Do I need to lower the level of my above-ground pool for winter?
For an average above-ground pool, let’s say a 24 foot pool, which is probably 85% of the above-ground pools in the world, that pool holds about 12,4000 pounds of water weight, which is a tremendous amount of weight.
If your pool skimmer basket doesn’t have a seal, ensure you lower the pool water level below the skimmer. But if your pool skimmer basket has a seal, you don’t necessarily need to drain it. However, it is advisable to lower the water level to keep the skimmer dry.
How low do I need to drain my pool for winter?
The skimmer and plumbing lines need to have all of the water evacuated for winterizing, and the lower water level of the swimming pool makes emptying possible.
However, after winterizing, you should leave the water level below the skimmer so that air can blow water out of the skimmer body during winter.
How do you close an above-ground pool for the season?
Before closing the pool, check around for any leaks. It is also important to keep your filtration system on until the very last minute, when you are really ready to close the pool.
Below are the steps to closing an above-ground pool.
- Clean the pool by vacuuming it.
- Pool shock to get the water clean and sanitizers.
- Lower the water level below the skimmer basket level.
- Backwash the water through your pump.
- Drain the water from the hose and discard it.
- Get your ladder out of the pool.
- Install the pillow, or ice heater, in the middle of the pool.
- Layer your cover on the lawn and, with a helper, slide it over the pool.
- Tighten the cover with the ratcheting mechanism.
How do you drain an above-ground pool without flooding the yard?
Did you forget to follow the steps during winter and now have a big mess to clean up? Check out this article where we discussed in detail how you can drain your pool using French drains and creek beds.
Here are the simple steps for draining your above-ground pool without electricity and flooding your pool area.
- Place a standard garden hose in a low area of your yard away from your house and pool. You can consider using the storm drain if it can handle the amount of water. Also, before using the storm drain, you need to confirm that there is no local regulation against using it for such a purpose.
- Connect the hose to the outflow valve of the pool.
- Pull the hose from the outflow valve.
- Leave the hose in the pool water.
- Make sure the other end of the hose is straight.
Can I leave water in my pool over winter?
Nobody wants to come back to the pool after winter and see a green pool filled with sediment and different kinds of dirt.
You can as well leave water in the pool till next summer, but you should leave the sediment in the skimmer and disconnect all the hoses. Turn off the filter and make sure the water does not go above the skimmer.
What happens if the pool water level is too high?
There is a skimmer opening on the sidewall of a pool, so let’s say you can sit there watching when your pool has gotten too full or your skimmer and timer are not functioning well.
When the pool’s water level is very high, it becomes prone to having leaves, debris, bugs, and other things in the water. It also changes the chemistry of the water and makes it turn green.
What level should the water be in winter?
The skimmer and plumbing lines need to have all of the water evacuated for winterizing. Moreover, you should leave the water level below the skimmer in preparation for the winter to ensure that it is free of moisture.
What happens if the pool water level is too high in winter?
Remember that during winter, ice, snow, and rain can add to your pool and cause a rise in the level of the pool. This might cause problems for your pool. To avoid leaks and overflow, ensure the water is below the skimmer. You want the water level to be below the skimmer to keep the skimmer dry throughout the cold season.
When the pool’s water level is very high, it becomes prone to having leaves, debris, bugs, and other things in the water. It also changes the chemistry of the water and makes it turn green.
When you leave the pool water level to be high during winter, you should be ready for the whole process of having to shock, chlorinate, add pH, and flocculate all over when winter is over and you are ready to use the pool.
Can I leave my above-ground pool open all winter?
Winter comes with a lot of wind, ice storms, and debris that affect the pool, and I am very sure nobody wants to go through the stress of having to clean and treat a pool after the season.
It is advisable to close the pool before winter. But if you must, leave it open all winter. Then you should be ready to go through a thorough clean up after the season is over.
How do you winterize an above-ground pool pump?
In preparation for winter, you should keep your pool in suitable condition, so you won’t have much work to do during summer. Below are easy steps to winterize an above-ground pool pump.
1. Drain the water to be below the skimmer
2. Attach the skimmer face plate plug to protect it from ice and snowfall.
3. Disconnect the filter.
4. Disconnect all of the hoses.
5. Close the pool filter.
How do I get all the water out of my above-ground pool?
Since the valve provided to drain water is not on the true bottom of the pool, when the water drops below the valve, nothing else comes out.
Well, all you have to do is siphon it. What you want to do is to take the garden hose and use it the old-fashioned way.
You put one end of the hose over the pool, take the other end, suck on a little bit till water comes out and let it drain out, but the issue with sucking it is that you are sucking a whole bunch of cruddy water.
So the easiest way to do this siphon method is to put one end of the hose into a tap and put the other end into the pool. Turn on the tap till the hose gets full, although it fills up the pool a little bit. Turn off the tap and take off the hose immediately from the tap and wait for the water to flow through.
How long does it take to drain an above-ground pool?
There are different draining methods for different sizes and types of pools, and the time it takes to drain your pool depends on the method you use to remove all of the water.
However, it should take at least 12 to 24 hours for a large pool and less for a smaller pool. The way water will drain from a garden hose is different from how it will drain from a sump pump. Choose what is preferable to you and what works best for your pool.
