Closing water level

[lily8]

Finally passed oclt 2x. Water has been beautiful. Waiting for water temp to reach 60 to close. Decided to close at full slam, no poly. Need to know how much to pump off before putting cover on. Thanks

 

[ajw22]

For a vinyl pool you want to lower the water just below the skimmer mouth.

 

[lily8]

Thanks.

 

[sande005]

For my area, it is pretty much a matter of expected over-winter precipitation that comes through the mesh cover, and ease of blowing out the lines and adding anti-freeze. So that is just below the returns.

 

[Newdude]

+1 to both.

With a solid cover/tarp you want the water level just below the skimmer bottom.

For mesh, you'll need to drain it occasionally as it fills back up to the brim so you might as well put the first one off longer by draining a bit more.

 

[lily8]

In the past I've guessed with level. Somewhere between bottom of skimmer & returns. Level is usually just a bit high. Was reading a thread re: blowing out lines. Mentioned using a compressor ( we've always used wet/dry vac) to blow out main drain first. Because of high ground water we have no main drain but 2 intakes on low wall ,before shelves, on opposite ends. So how should that go?

 

[sande005]

It is a bit harder to drain when, after several -30F slightly chilly days, it has frozen always to the bottom of the shallow end, and usually a significant depth on the deep end! <grin>
Since 13" of snow very roughly equals one inch of water, draining a foot leaves me a good margin over our most-ever winter totals. But the poor souls with pools in Buffalo....

 

[sande005]

In the past I've guessed with level. Somewhere between bottom of skimmer & returns. Level is usually just a bit high. Was reading a thread re: blowing out lines. Mentioned using a compressor ( we've always used wet/dry vac) to blow out main drain first. Because of high ground water we have no main drain but 2 intakes on low wall ,before shelves, on opposite ends. So how should that go?

I used a compressor for many years - but if you don't have a really big tank, it just doesn't have the volume needed. I once tried to compensate with higher pressure - but literally blew apart my pump (could have been a very serious injury). At safe pressures, it took a long time, with repeated tank refilling. I got a Cyclone blower last year, and while pricy for a one-trick pony, it was well worth it. Does the job fast, and very safely. Newdude used to use a wet-dry vac, I believe, so he may be able to comment on that.

 

[Newdude]

Closing with shop vac.

Today was the day for closing and it went great with a 6HP shop vac. I hooked my blower up for fun after, and there really wasn't much left but some spray. Anywho I wanted to do a write up for all the folks wondering if they could save a chunk of change and tackle their own closing...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mattou01]

We have automatic cover and I’ve always been told not to let water level get below skimmer because it won’t support cover if it snows on top of it.

 

[oledan]

We have automatic cover and I’ve always been told not to let water level get below skimmer because it won’t support cover if it snows on top of it.

Hello neighbor, Shelbyville here. I too have a new pool with an auto-cover and am researching closing procedures. I've heard same as you about water level. If I may ask....do you close yourself or hire someone to do it?

Thank you,
Dan

 

[Mattou01]

Hello neighbor, Shelbyville here. I too have a new pool with an auto-cover and am researching closing procedures. I've heard same as you about water level. If I may ask....do you close yourself or hire someone to do it?

Thank you,
Dan

We hire someone. I open, but not close.