Hey guys. I have a 32x16 Vinyl Lined inground pool. I closed it a few months ago and lowered the water level below the returns. It has crept back up over time and now it is about 3 inches ABOVE the returns which is about a foot or so below the very top of the pool. I was going to drain it but the top layer is frozen. We are due for a major storm tomorrow, 6-8 inches of snow. I have a standard mesh pool cover. Should I attempt to melt the ice a little and put the pump in there and drain it ? Worried...normally I drain it more frequently but we had a drought for a long time and I kind of just let it slip with the last few rains.
Frozen Water in Vinyl Liner pool, worried with storm coming
- Thread starter gdog2004
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 17,341
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Once the ice has formed, if you lower the supporting water, the ice can descend and tear the liner. Unless there is no ice, I would not attempt to lower the water level.
As you know, and indicated, the best practice is to use every thaw opportunity to lower the water level when there is no ice. I've already lowered mine 4x since close late October...sheesh!
As you know, and indicated, the best practice is to use every thaw opportunity to lower the water level when there is no ice. I've already lowered mine 4x since close late October...sheesh!
Thank you for reply. OK so the danger is if I lower the water, the giant chunk of ice on the top could damage the vinyl wall as it sinks down ? I will leave i be I guess. What happens if it "overflows" so to speak ?
A mesh cover may get destroyed by the weight of snow if the water level is too low. This is the reason why I don't lower the water in my pool below the returns; instead, I blow the returns out with an air blower and plug them. The minimum water level for my mesh cover is 18 inches below the coping, so I have to do the draining multiple times over the winter.
The water will find it's way out. Might be behind the liner, or under the patio. Both could cause issues, but are less risk than draining and letting the ice slash your liner.