So,
What I've done this time is drained 2 inches or so below the return, and screwed a plug into the return so I don't have to disconnect the return hose from the filter.
I still need to pull the hose off of the skimmer though as that catches rain and snow etc.
For the stairs, I disconnected them from the pool rail and pushed them into the pool as far as the outside ladder will allow them. The reason for this is when they get stuck in the ice, and the ice slowly moves up from rain and such the stairs move up with it. Not an issue as long as they aren't bolted to the pool AND as long as the top step clears the top rail of the pool.
I suspect like last year, I'll have no issues with the stairs being in the ice.
What I've done this time is drained 2 inches or so below the return, and screwed a plug into the return so I don't have to disconnect the return hose from the filter.
I still need to pull the hose off of the skimmer though as that catches rain and snow etc.
For the stairs, I disconnected them from the pool rail and pushed them into the pool as far as the outside ladder will allow them. The reason for this is when they get stuck in the ice, and the ice slowly moves up from rain and such the stairs move up with it. Not an issue as long as they aren't bolted to the pool AND as long as the top step clears the top rail of the pool.
I suspect like last year, I'll have no issues with the stairs being in the ice.
