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.
How much water should I drain from my pool?
Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets. This helps make sure that no water can get into the pumping system. You may also need to drain a few extra inches of water, depending on the type of pool cover you’re using.
Should I drain above ground pool for winter?
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 long can you leave a pool drained?
Once water is removed (and subsequently, the interior hydrostatic pressure), if there’s an influx of groundwater, it will push the pool up and out of place. As a general rule, you shouldn’t keep any pool empty for longer than it needs to be. Get the work done that you needed to do and refill it as soon as possible.
Where does pool water drain to?
During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.
How much should I drain my above-ground pool for winter?
If you have an above-ground pool with a vinyl pool liner, drain the pool to about 1 inch below the bottom of the skimmer mouth. It’s acceptable to drain the pool a few more inches below that if you live in an area that gets heavy precipitation during the winter months.
How much water should I drain from my above-ground pool for winter?
Lower the Pool Water Level
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.
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.
Does draining a pool damage it?
First, if the draining is done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, you can actually risk damaging your pool structure and liner. All the water from your pool needs to go somewhere when it’s drained, and that usually means the ground.
How long does it take to drain a 5000 gallon pool?
Draining a pool can take up to 14 hours, depending on the size, so be sure to drain it on a day when you have sufficient free time. You need to be home to check on the pool, the hoses, and the pump frequently.
Will my pool pop out of the ground if I drain it?
When you drain your pool, the hydrostatic pressure is gone, and the pool can begin to float. But some other instances can cause a popped pool. For example, after a heavy rainstorm, the rainwater can cause the soil to swell resulting in a high water table.
