Water level for closing my Coleman rectangular steel-frame pool

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AvidSwimmer88

New member
Aug 27, 2022
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Ontario, Canada
Hi all!

I will be winterizing my above-ground Coleman rectangular steel-frame pool (22 x 12 feet) for the first time this winter (normally I would take it down and set it back up but it's a lot of hassle and a lot of $$ getting it refilled every year). My biggest hmm-haw is what should I bring the water level down to in order to safely winterize? I've attached a photo, but it's one of those pools that get their stability from being filled with water and I'm unsure if I should plug the pump/filter holes and leave it at that (~90% full) or should I drain to below those holes and potentially lose a bit of structural support/stability on the pool.

Another question is I have just a soft vinyl cover for it, is this okay to keep on the pool over winter time? Or should I look for a hard solid cover?

For some extra context, I live in Canada and we get winter temperatures down to -30s/-40s with lots of snow and freezing rain. I'm also planning to tent some boards over it to help reduce snowfall onto it.

Thank you in advance for any advice!
 

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Hello! Welcome to Trouble Free Pools :)

I've never closed a pool so the best I can do to help you is share this article:
www.troublefreepool.com

Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool

Closing an above ground pool at season’s end should be a fast and worry-free process. Learn the basics of above ground pool winterization in easy steps.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

A lot of people use tarps to cover their pools, with variable amounts of success.

Maddie :flower:
 
I'm not an expert, but I do have an 18' round Coleman frame pool. I've drained below the intakes the last two years, and it's been perfectly stable, though I'm not sure if the shape would change that. I tried plugging my intakes the first year, but as soon as the water froze, it expanded the pool, and the plugs fell out, so I didn't bother last year. I want to say I drained about 6 inches below the bottom intake the first year. Last year I didn't drain quite as low, and with rain, I did have water trickling out from my lower intake by March. I try to remember to put the plugs back in spring after the freezes so I can take advantage of the rain for some free water.

I'm assuming you have the same type of standard cover that came with mine. I do not know how it would hold up. I've only used it when I'm on vacation for a week or two, and it already has little tears. It might make it one season. The one that came with mine has small holes in it that will let water through, which is good but will let in dirt, etc. I'd also worry if there was a lot of weight on it from too many leaves or snow. I've always used a mesh cover on mine suspended with the PoolTree System, it's not made for frame pools, but I make it work by staking the cover down with bungee cords. Mostly I like that I don't have to deal with it over the winter. Water and snow melt through, and leaves blow off. It will also let in fine debris, but I don't mind. It's 2-3 vacuums to get it perfectly clear in the spring, and I don't have to wait for my husband, who travels, to be around. I've never been able to take the other cover off without dumping whatever was on top of it into it anyway, no matter how much help I have.

This is what my cover system looks like. Unfortunately, I don't think they make this system for a rectangular pool, though once again, it's not made for frame pools, period, but I'll do anything to not have to fuss with the pool over the winter!
 

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CoolHome said:
I'm not an expert, but I do have an 18' round Coleman frame pool. I've drained below the intakes the last two years, and it's been perfectly stable, though I'm not sure if the shape would change that. I tried plugging my intakes the first year, but as soon as the water froze, it expanded the pool, and the plugs fell out, so I didn't bother last year. I want to say I drained about 6 inches below the bottom intake the first year. Last year I didn't drain quite as low, and with rain, I did have water trickling out from my lower intake by March. I try to remember to put the plugs back in spring after the freezes so I can take advantage of the rain for some free water.

I'm assuming you have the same type of standard cover that came with mine. I do not know how it would hold up. I've only used it when I'm on vacation for a week or two, and it already has little tears. It might make it one season. The one that came with mine has small holes in it that will let water through, which is good but will let in dirt, etc. I'd also worry if there was a lot of weight on it from too many leaves or snow. I've always used a mesh cover on mine suspended with the PoolTree System, it's not made for frame pools, but I make it work by staking the cover down with bungee cords. Mostly I like that I don't have to deal with it over the winter. Water and snow melt through, and leaves blow off. It will also let in fine debris, but I don't mind. It's 2-3 vacuums to get it perfectly clear in the spring, and I don't have to wait for my husband, who travels, to be around. I've never been able to take the other cover off without dumping whatever was on top of it into it anyway, no matter how much help I have.

This is what my cover system looks like. Unfortunately, I don't think they make this system for a rectangular pool, though once again, it's not made for frame pools, period, but I'll do anything to not have to fuss with the pool over the winter!
Click to expand...
Is that the mesh cover from InTheSwim? I bought one from there that looks exactly like yours a couple years ago but never ended up using it.
 
thefloatqueen said:
Is that the mesh cover from InTheSwim? I bought one from there that looks exactly like yours a couple years ago but never ended up using it.
Click to expand...
You know, I don't remember for sure. I could be, as that sounds very familiar. It's going into its third winter now. It's held up very well. I can't imagine using it floating on the water, though. I do like it suspended above.
 
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