Emptying An Above Ground Pool Winter?

Question

We just completely drained our pool that came with the house and cleaning it completely before adding water in it, is it going to be safe to keep it empty for the winter? or should we add more water to the pool in order to keep everything in good condition? either way is no problem.... thanks for any help... also, what would the chemical treatment for winter be (if we do need to refill it?)

So is it completely safe to leave it completely empty for the winter then?

Answer 1

Fill it with water several inches or more below the skim box, make sure to drain water out of the filter and pump lines so they don't freeze. Add shock to the water. You should purchase a cover for the pool at your local pool supply store, we put three inner tubes in the center and tie them off before covering, or you may opt for one of the covers that water filters thru but no debris, talk to the pool supply store and see what they recommend..

Answer 2

Don't leave it empty unless you want to lose the liner and have a mess made of the bottom. Ideally, you'd want to close your pool when you have the water chemistry right, but unless you want to fill it all the way up and run it for a week, you're stuck with crossing your fingers that your fill water is fairly balanced.
Refill it to just below the level of the return and add a winterizing chemical kit (local pool store will have it). Winterize all your equipment by removing drain plugs and add plumber's antifreeze to lines and pour a bit in the pump, if it's all being left in a freezing environment. Put something squishable (empty chemical bottles do fine or even a partially inflated inner tube works) in the skimmer after putting in the winterizing plug. This will protect the skimmer from ice damage inside. Plug off your returns after you've blown out the water and a little antifreeze doesn't hurt. You can use a shop vac on blow, if it has that capability. Some do, some don't. Scoop out whater debris you can and cover your pool. You can purchase a pool pillow to go under the cover, if you want, they will take some expansion of surface ice but they're more of an owner pacifier.The walls will be ok without one. Do NOT use logs in there as some old timers may suggest. They're the cause of a lot of my service calls in spring, patching holes they've made. If the water was balanced and that cover stays in place, the water will look exactly the same in spring as it did at closing, so keep an eye on that cover during the winter months.

Edit: To Micheal. Yep...none of these people are reading the question. It does say quite clearly that it's an AG pool. Suicide to drain it and leave it drained unless you plan on swapping out the liner. Everybody is a closet pool pro and in this case, they can't read either.

Answer 3

Above Ground Pool Winter

Answer 4

"We just completely drained our pool that came with the house and cleaning it completely before adding water in it,"

Never totally drain an above ground pool. This is not how you clean a pool to use it. Run the pump, shock it, balance Ph + chemistry, shock again, and by now it should be clearing. Get help from your local pool store if you're having problems.

"is it going to be safe to keep it empty for the winter? "

Noooo! Above ground pools remain upright from the weight of the water pressing against the sides. A good windstorm will bend the walls inward, destroying it.

Refill immediately, at least to the bottom of the skimmer. Run the pump and winterize it. Usually the winterizer kits include a copper compound which keeps algae growth under control. Keep the pump running several days to mix all the chemicals well. Cover. Be sure cover is tight to prevent a kid/pet from falling in and getting trapped. Unplug and drain filter. Probably open your hoses (or disconnect them altogether to protect against freezing)

A good pool store can help you alot.

Answer 5

We thought we would be brilliant and leave just a little bit of water in our above ground pool for the Winter. One day after church, we came home and found that the south wind had come in and blown half of the pool bent over the other half. Poles, connectors, etc. were all bent,plus there was one big gapping hole down the center. IF you leave it up in the winter, make sure your water covers the entire pool evenly and enough so the wind won't make a mess of things....We learned our lesson $600 later.

Answer 6

It is not safe to leave it empty. The vinyl will definitely shrink, and sometimes the wind gets beyerrn the vinyl and siding and billows it out like a flag. My neighbor drained her pool and a hail storm came and ripped holes.

I leave the water in all winter. Empty the filter of sand and store inside, otherwise it will freeze and break.

At the end of the season, I add heavy duty algae growth preventer and a heavy dose of chlorine. I do not use a cover, My pool water stays clear all winter and right up until I open it.

Answer 7

If you have an inground pool do not leave it empty. Ground water can cause the pool to be forced up out of the ground.

Answer 8

You can leave you pool full of water during the winter.What you need to do is get yourself a couple of truck inner tubes.With the pool full place the inner tubes(obviously filled with air) under the cover of the pool.What happens is the water freezes and expands but with the tubes the water will freeze up to the tubes,once in awhile during the winter push down on the tubes to break the ice.As long as the tubes are there and full of air your good.

Answer 9

I live in MIchigan and twice I left my above ground pool empty for the winter, I put a step ladder in the center and put the cover over it to keep snow from accumulating on it. If you keep kids away from the pool walls so they don't hit it with anything the liner won't crack. good luck

Answer 10

The vinyl will shrink. You must refill up to the skimmer and winterize with winter chlorine and cover.

What's wrong with these people? It's clearly stated that it is an ABOVE ground pool. Reading comprehension.