Partial drain or not?

[maryann79]

We're starting our first closing tomorrow. Is there a preference as to whether we drain below skimmer & return or use plugs & leave water level up?

Thanks!

 

[rpm90001]

Same question here. I drained below skimmer and return...should I just plugged return? And left water above return? I'm in NY.

 

[dmanb2b]

I've done both and prefer dropping below skimmer and leaving the valves open (my skimmer door leaked). Yes you will lose more water but less risk of the skimmer cracking. If you decide to plug, make sure to use a skimmer door and a Gizmo in the skimmer as back-up freeze protection.

 

[rpm90001]

I'm below the skimmer and the return, was there a need to go below the return? Pump, filter and hoses have been removed, so return is now just an empty fitting with eye removed, but body still installed. I ask this because return is below skimmer, so I'm about 10 inch below bottom of skimmer and a few inches below return. I don't want to drop it any more. If I put a plug in the return,do I have to worry if the water raises to the plugged return with melting snow and rain?

I apologize to the Original poster for jumping in...but I think we have the same question..

Geo