Water level too high?

[Wee Heavy]

My first year with a pool. I closed it myself and dropped the water level below the skimmer. It has frozen and thawed a couple of times here in NJ in the last few months. But we have gotten a LOT of rain and I checked yesterday and the water level is at or maybe above normal operating level.

Should I drain it back down if it is not frozen?

 

[Hotrod30]

Well IMHO, I would. You want to make sure you don't get a heavy ice build up in the skimmer. If you do drain out some water, don't forget to get the water out of the skimmer basket area. I use a plug for the skimmer line in the basket area and a block-off for the face of the skimmer. Then I pour 2 gal of anti-freeze in each skimmer basket area. The skimmer face block-offs are like the ones in the address below. I can't remember the name of the ones I use; but the block-off snaps on like a "Tupper Ware lid". Put the new face plates on this summer and you'll be ready for next winter.



http://www.aboutpoolcovers.com/skimmer.htm

http://www.realpooldeals.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=533

http://www1.ecxmall.com/stores/lyt/skimmer.html

 

[waste]

Wee Heavy, welcome to TFP!! :-D

Whether to drain off some of the water is really up to you. As Hotrod said, there is the possibility of skimmer damage from ice if the skimmers aren't properly protected - I assume the pool was winterized, can you tell us what was done? , also what kind of cover you have. At some point before you open the pool this spring you'll want the water level back up to operating level, but it's early enough in the winter that enough rain and snow will fall by then - as such I'd probably opt to lower the water at th8is point.

Again, welcome to TFP! (I grew up in Tenafly NJ -- it's nice to see folks from my old stomping grounds here )

 

[Wee Heavy]

I blew out the lines using my leaf blower and some crazy attachments, and plugged the returns. The Skimmer has a Gizmo screwed in it, although my friendly pool guy suggested I not use the Gizmo and just plug the skimmer and then place a bottle of antifreeze inside it.

 

[waste]

Your 'friendly pool guy' must be of the 'old school' Gizzmos do a much better job!! I'll reiterate that draining some of the water now, while it's liquid, is probably a good idea - we're gonna get more snow and rain, so make a little room for it while you are able to do so.