I’ll be honest, though, you might clean a little more during the fall season. Usually, for about three weeks or so, pool owners can expect to clean leaves and debris from the inside of their pools. Above-Ground Pool Leak Concerns. It is called fall for a reason, right? My concern about the SWG is when temperatures reach a certain low and the generator does not kick on. Pool owners should follow our blog and read the how-to guide on winterizing their pool. My Dads was a bit more of a pain, as he had an old fashioned cover with the water weights all around, but his pool (16×32) was smaller than mine too, so manageable with a couple of people. After looking at all the specs on salt gens and seeing numbers all over the place…one thing becomes clear (as an engineer) salt water conductivity will be the same for ALL salt generators…their readout might all be different…however the actual salt ppm will be the same…why? Where should I leave my water level at in my salt waster I ground pool? You may naturally assume it's best to completely drain your pool of water for the winter months, because you fear the water will freeze and cause damage. And if you need to know…salt water pool is the best thing since mom’s apple pie! Turn OFF your breaker. When it comes to relaxing in a Softub, it takes a little time to get it setup so that it can be enjoyed by you and your family. Winterizing your swimming pool is a personal decision. If you’re not using your swimming pool much these days, there’s a better option than draining it, filling it in, and/or keeping it covered year round. Simply break the plaster lining to open the valves; this will allow water from the water shelf to drain into your pool, releasing some of the pressure on its foundation. Lastly, monitor water levels(pH etc) weekly? Without water supporting the wall you run the risk of the pool wall coming out of the track. In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Will it be ok if I do nothing ? (we have also had a ton of rain here with has in turned lowered our chlorine levels as well. However, several steps and precautions are necessary to keep your pool safe through the winter. The two most common reasons a hot tub gets drained and left empty is because people are winterizing or summerizing their hot tub. Pool owners who keep their pools open also spend less money on chemicals once spring comes. If it stays consistently below 50 degrees, you do not have to do much because algae can’t grow in cold weather. The shell of the pool is designed to be filled with water; they are not intended to withstand the pressure of the surrounding earth. Although float is a rare occurrence, it is possible with enough neglect. people always talk about all this stuff but whats the solution to this. Many pools are built to withstand a lot, but it can still experience the following types of damage if it’s left empty for too long: Another form of damage that pools can experience is float, which is what happens when water begins to fill the space between the shell of the pool and the ground underneath. ). However, once the season is over and it is too cold to go for a swim, how are you supposed to take care of it then? The timer turns your pump and heater ON when the outdoor temperature drops below the set temperature. The winter can be hard on a pool; between the collection of falling leaves and dirt and freezing conditions, many pool owners opt to drain the pool to make maintenance easier once it is time to swim again. At the end of summer, you may be wondering how to care for your above-ground pool. Michigan here. We provide tips and insights for winterizing inground and aboveground pools. You never want to wake up in the morning to frozen lines and a busted pump. The pool is filled with water, and as it fills, a material is backfilled into the spaces between the foundation and the shell. I guess I am unsure on how long, typically, can a SWG not run before water imbalances begin to take place? Matthew- I’ve generally used granular chlorine only as a quick fix for introducing chlorine into your pool. In my case pulled the cartridge filters, cleaned and stored for the season. A cover can protect your liner from the elements, too. Every year is a scramble to find company to close it. It is not advised to leave a pool empty for extended periods: Depending on the level of the water shelf, sustained pressure on an in-ground pool without water can cause external damage. I would say the average during these months is apx 30-40 degrees and more sunny than not. Because they are constructed with the most durability, they are the least likely to experience catastrophic damage when left empty. Wood burning pool heater For those with(or know a good deal) salt water pools, is it more common that not to actually have the “saltwater system” off the entire winter months and not have pH balance issue? You may naturally assume it's best to completely drain your pool of water for the winter months, because you fear the water will freeze and cause damage. Vinyl lined pools are not made to withstand being emptied. The balloon (and water) will expand and contract with the various temperatures and keep the wall from cracking. Only thing that changes…is the product efficiency. The older the liner, the less it will stretch when refilling. But make no mistake: you should NOT be draining water completely from the pool. If you’re unsure and at a loss at what to do with your pool this year, don’t worry. I’m in Central Florida so we rarely ever hit 32 degrees and Temp has no effect. If you’ve ever experienced algae in the beginning of spring, you understand the amount of time and money spent balancing your pool. That would determine how much you need to drain it. Set the drain hose away from the pool and let the water drain out. I live in Nashville and our cold months are from about December – February. Pool owners also worry about the cost to keep their pool open for winter. Special equipment needed? https://www.poolcleanerblog.com/how-long-can-you-leave-a-pool-empty Concrete is porous, which makes a great home for algae: the biggest enemy you will be facing. If i am understanding your note above, my SWG has no role in maintaining any of the proper water balancing, or just the pH part? An in-ground pool will need more water removed and you will also want to ensure that you have a tight fittin… Around here, the idea of leaving your pool open for the winter is laughable. Your email address will not be published. Plugged the lines with the stoppers that came with the pool. This will ensure that they do not crack from the freezing water. Winter rain and snow, and everything floating in the air above is absorbed into your pool during winter, and this can consume your winter pool chemicals, and pummel your pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness levels. A note here…I have a 35,000 gal pool…I also use a 2 tube reagent test almost every day never much more then that…also (“strips test” went to the landfill ). This includes balancing your water, cleaning your filter, and maintaining your pool equipment. During the winter, it can be easy to forget that your pool requires maintenance, since nobody is using it for months at a time. On the tabs thats easy I put 3 or 4 tabs in a floater and let it float and check it once in awhile to see if I should add some more tabs! >>>>>>”The pH has nothing to do with the salt water generator running.”. Small Inground fiberglass. We see this when ground water lifts a pool liner. It's not good to leave your pool empty when the weather gets cold. If you are interested in adding a heater to the pool, I suggest you give the following a read: How to Select an Inground Pool Heater and Sizing Your Pool Heater. The typical recommendation is to just drain the water in your pool below the skimmer line. On top of that, they are usually the first ones enjoying their pools in spring, as well. You should leave the pool at least half full of water but 90% full is best with a pool balloon placed in the center of the pool. So I began bracket testing and found out he was RIGHT! Hi Ryann, We have a salt water pool. Pool or semi-inground with vinyl For the pool or semi-inground, it is advisable to lower the water level up to 4'' in the backflow. You need… If there is tile in the gunite swimming pool, then make sure to drain the water below the level of the tiles. Repairs for these types of damages are costly and time-consuming. Usually, for about three weeks or so, pool owners can expect to clean leaves and debris from the inside of their pools. (don’t know why they call it free…only thing more expensive is Gold ) !!! Freeze protection protects your pool/spa equipment and plumbing against freeze damage. In addition, be sure that your Cyanuric Acid level is up to 50 ppm, to protect your chlorine from the sun. But does this really help? Why Leave a Hot Tub Empty? It’s simple, keep your pump on. Really you only "need" to close a pool where the water in the pool can freeze over. My dad has bad health and this year I am not sure what to do about the salt water pool. Parents had a vinyl liner pool no auto cover for similar time we both took care of opening and closing the pool ourselves – very easy. Yes, it can be left empty but there are some precautions to take to ensure that it does not become damaged. Pool Projects… is there any way to minimize use of chlorine in pools I always feel kind of worried.My friends work in pool industry and he often share lots of stuff that they use flow meters to maintain flow rate of water and stuff about usage of chlorine. Fiberglass pools should not be emptied; they run the highest risk of experiencing severe damage. An inground pool is a great activity throughout the hot summer months, but winter in Connecticut can be brutal, forcing us to close our pools until warmth returns. This website is owned by Publish Vine LLC and is a participant of the Amazon Associates Affiliate Program. Vinyl lined pools are the second most popular pool material and rising because of the low initial cost. Hi! This can further lead to cracking, leaking, and other types of structural damage. As the pool is refilling, you may need to shift the liner around to make sure it is aligned properly. Depending on your location, the number of leaves that end up in your pool can produce a lot of unwanted labor. You know the list -1 and then +5 that dang list ! The majority of salt systems stop working once the temperature drops below a certain degree. How long can you leave a pool empty? However, checking on your The remainder of this article will discuss the proper measures you must take when it comes to draining pools and ensuring longevity. Unfortunately, people that have there own pools don’t care about the majority. Immediately loosen all of the drain plugs on your pump, heater, and filter drain plugs. My Dad had sand filter, so nothing done with that. Your physical location may also play a role in your decision. https://easyclearpool.com/how-long-can-you-leave-your-pool-empty Concrete or Gunite In general, draining this type of pool is the trickiest. You need some lamp cord plug cords you can find in the neighbors garbage… Consistent care and proper maintenance will keep your pool clean and beautiful. It's possible to leave your above-ground pool up all winter with the water in it, since draining it completely may cause it to collapse. Copyright © 2020 INYOpools All rights reserved. Properly closing your pool for the winter saves a lot of time and money when you reopen it in the spring. How is granular cloriene better to use than the tablets? Most pool owners might assume that this also means a lot more money for chemicals. Or what needs to be done. I am the owner of an above ground 24 foot swimming pool and a 140 gallon Softub.I love helping others succeed in pool care and much of the information provided on my website can help above ground and below ground pool owners. You may naturally assume it’s best to completely drain your pool of water for the winter months, because you fear the water will freeze and cause damage. However, there are some things you should take into consideration before you make the decision to keep your pool open for the winter. With winter well and truly set in, it's safe to say a lot of swimming pools around Australia are looking a little neglected. So, how do you prevent your lines from freezing during the winter? Reset the Liner. link to How Long Will It Take To Fill A Softub With Water? These pools are usually purchased online or through a box store and can be manually set up by the user. Intex, an outdoor recreation company, offers several pool lines, primarily built from metal or vinyl. If I use granualr how do I adnminster it? ... but once the water is solidly below 60 I plan to winterize my pump/filter/pipes and leave the pool uncovered. . It would be best to find and fix now, and the liner may be saved. That might be possible in the Deep South, where periods of freezing are infrequent and short-lived–but in locations where the temperature is going to be at or near 0F for three months straight, simply keeping your pool pump running isn’t going to come close to being sufficient. There are several reasons why a pool could lose hundreds of gallons of water gradually over the colder seasons. Without any water, even the wind can cave in your pool walls. Also do I need to remove the salt cell during winter? As a result, you might consider reducing your pump’s runtime because the demand for chlorine is not as high. Close the pool a few weeks before the weather turns cold to ensure it's well protected from possible freeze damage (when depends on your weather zone; you might ask knowledgeable neighbors with similar pools and pump/filter systems, or at a pool supply in you area). Click here to shop our store. And, if push comes to shove, you can always hire a cleaning company to handle the brunt of the workload. That means your pool should be fine without operating your salt system for a few months. Knowing the construction of your pool will give you a better idea of how long you can leave it drained; some can be left empty for more extended periods, while other pools cannot be left drained for more than 15 minutes. Additionally, a drained above-ground pool can receive structural damage from the elements. If you experience harsh weather in the winter, yes bring it in. Fortunately, repairing small damages can be done with equipment designed to be used underwater. With this in mind: Got the pH and Salt ppm right and the Generator is set to 70% and water is crystal clear all year round. I got a new salt tester…you need a small cup though…scoop up some water and put it in your mouth…wash it around…spit out…if you can taste the salt…it’s perfect…if not add salt until you can taste it. ... as it is an 8' empty hole! Make sure you test your pool water and maintain the proper chemical levels on a regular basis. shorturl.at/losN7 (3 controllable outlets for pump, pool niche light, pool lights) This will help you avoid mold or mildew from developing while not in use. So when I jump in the pool and don’t want the pump on…it’s “Alexa…turn off the Dampump”. In most cases, it can be an even wash. How many tablets do you use? if you post the question, we might be able to answer it for you. For some, this may be the only reason they need to close their pool for winter. Below the strainer? If left to sit empty all winter, it could ruin the liner. Any suggestions/ideas??!!?? I was chasing my tail following all the bullpoop. Can I leave my inground pool empty over winter? How to close and winterize a swimming pool green and cloudy even after shocking 2020 pool closing to how to close and winterize a swimming pool solid mesh pool covers latham Should You Drain Your Pool Every Winter Crystal PoolsShould I Drain My Pool For The WinterHow To Close Your Swimming Pool For The Winter… Read More » Then the other issue is maintaining salt…buying a salt tester is an expensive deal…going to pool store to test is a pain in the butt…I get numbers all over the scale from them…so whats the answer to the problem…well one day I figured it out. link to How To Safely Use Your Softub During the Winter, Damage to the pool’s accessories (lights, heating, and pumps). My idea, considering we don’t get to terribly cold for any extended period, is to add a device to the pump to ensure the pump kicks on when temps fall below freezing to help combat frozen lines of any sort. I tore the guts out of that POS dial timer and in less then 1 hour Alexa ! If you do not have a hydrostatic valve, it is best to call a pool professional to help you drain the pool. You want to drain the water to about 6 inches below the skimmer. This is so that groundwater does not gather near the pool and cause foundation damage from the outside; this is especially the case with pools that are in a valley or small dip in the earth. Boats FLOAT and so will an empty pool. How long can you leave an in-ground pool empty? In this video, we look over what it takes to winterize an above ground pool.... Should I Close My Pool Or Leave It Open For Winter? Always close during winter, but wish we could do ourselves. Of course, the level of damage you can see will depend on a number of factors as well: If you have to drain your pool, know that extended exposure to the elements (besides water) can eventually lead to erosion or an unbalanced pressure build-up on the sides of the pool from the earth surrounding it. Running your pool pump keeps a constant flow of water and prevents your lines from freezing and pipes from bursting.”. and how often? One of the main reasons a pool owner might close their pool is to protect their equipment and avoid any damage caused by freezing temperatures. This will enable you to properly clean the plumbing system while avoiding frozen or burst pipes in the winter. If you are in Ohio, you might as well bring your equipment for the winter to save wear and tear. I am having an in-ground salt water pool installed and I am not planning on closing the pool annually.