As fall approaches and temperatures begin to drop, pool owners start preparing their pools for the winter months. One of the most common questions we hear at L&J Pools is:
“How far should I lower the water when closing my pool?”
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of pool you have, the type of winter cover you use, and how your pool is being winterized. Lowering the water too much—or not enough—can potentially create problems over the winter.
Never Completely Drain Your Pool
One of the most important things to remember is that most swimming pools should not be completely drained for the winter.
The water inside your pool provides important weight and support. Completely draining a vinyl liner pool can cause the liner to shrink, wrinkle, or pull away from the walls. With other types of pools, groundwater pressure can also create serious problems when there isn’t enough water inside the pool to counteract that pressure.
Your pool needs water in it throughout the winter—it just needs to be at the proper level.
How Low Should the Water Be?
There isn’t one water level that’s correct for every pool.
The proper winter water level depends on several things:
- Whether your pool is vinyl liner, gunite, or fiberglass
- The location of your skimmers and return fittings
- Whether the plumbing is being blown out and plugged
- The type of winter safety cover installed
- The manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular pool and cover
In many cases, the water only needs to be lowered enough to properly winterize the pool’s plumbing and equipment.
What About Vinyl Liner Pools?
Vinyl liner pools require extra care when lowering the water.
The water helps hold the liner firmly against the pool walls and floor. If too much water is removed, the liner can move, wrinkle, shrink, or potentially become damaged.
This is one reason we recommend having your pool professionally winterized rather than simply draining the water below the skimmer and hoping for the best.
Mesh vs. Solid Safety Covers
Your winter cover can also affect how the pool’s water level behaves throughout the winter.
A mesh safety cover allows rain and melting snow to pass through into the pool. This means the water level can gradually rise during the fall, winter, and early spring.
A solid safety cover keeps most rainwater and debris out of the swimming pool. However, water may collect on top of some solid covers and may need to be removed with a cover pump.
Regardless of the type of cover, it’s a good idea to periodically check your pool during the winter.
Don’t Forget About the Skimmer and Plumbing
Lowering the water is only one part of properly closing a swimming pool.
The plumbing system also needs to be protected against freezing temperatures. Depending on the pool, this can involve blowing water out of the plumbing lines, installing winter plugs, protecting the skimmer, winterizing equipment, and adding the appropriate winter chemicals.
Water left trapped inside plumbing can freeze and expand, potentially cracking pipes, fittings, valves, filters, heaters, and other pool equipment.
A proper closing protects much more than just the water inside the pool.
Can the Water Level Get Too High During Winter?
Yes.
Rain, snow, and ice can cause the water level to rise—particularly with a mesh safety cover. If the water becomes too high, it may reach areas of the pool that were winterized and could potentially create problems.
Checking the water level periodically throughout the off-season can help prevent surprises when it’s time to open the pool in the spring.
A Proper Pool Closing Can Save You Money in the Spring
Taking shortcuts when closing a pool can turn into expensive repairs.
A properly winterized pool helps protect your:
Plumbing • Skimmers • Pumps • Filters • Heaters • Pool Finish or Liner • Safety Cover
It can also make opening the pool in the spring much easier.
Let L&J Pools Handle Your Pool Closing
Not sure how far your pool should be lowered or how your equipment should be winterized?
L&J Pools can take care of the entire closing process for you.
We’ll properly prepare your pool and equipment for the Connecticut winter so you can enjoy the off-season knowing your pool has been professionally winterized.
Schedule your pool closing before the remaining fall appointments fill up.
L&J Pools
155 Grassy Plain Street
Bethel, CT 06801
203-791-0307
ljpools.com
Get it closed right this fall so you’re ready to enjoy your pool again next spring.
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