Closing pool - Leak in liner

[Dbustamante00]

Could use some advice on what we should do with our AG pool when closing it. We had so many issues over the summer with the pool and turns out we need to replace the liner. We closed the pool thinking the issue with the liner was somewhere around the return or the skimmer since we new earlier in the season we had a leak at the skimmer and fixed it. My husband just uncovered the pool to add in some balloons and the water was almost all gone. There is about a foot of water in the pool. So we definitely need to replace the liner in the spring. Until then, any recommendations on what we should do to prevent any damage to the frame of the pool during the harsh New England winter? Should we keep it covered with the tarp? Take the tarp off to prevent the weight of the snow from pull on the frame?

Thanks!

 

[Casey]

You need to get water in the pool and more importantly, find the leak. The water provides the walls with stability and if there is no water and given that you're in the north east, you may lose the pool to high winds.

 

[Dbustamante00]

We built a deck completely around and up against the pool. Do you think this will help stabilize the pool if we were to wait until spring to replace the liner and fill the pool? We've had so many issues with this liner all season we are convinced it's either defective or we have really bad luck.

 

[Casey]

I would never say yes it will be ok. You're leaving the pool empty at you're own risk.

 

[zea3]

An above ground pool is always going to be at risk when it is empty, even with decking around it. The decking may protect it from wind but if you cover the pool and get a heavy load of snow or ice on the cover the walls of the pool could collapse from the weight without water to provide the structural integrity. The best solution is to patch and fill the pool. If your decking is as tall as the pool and the cover can be anchored to the deck you may be able to get away with just covering the pool, however it is a gamble.

Just to troubleshoot a bit, what kind of problems have you been having with the liner?