Is it ok for gunite sun shelf to remain above water level during winter?

[karcherd]

I decided to winterize myself this year (Northwest Arkansas), so drained our 22000 gal gunite/plaster pool an inch below the returns to ease blowing out all of the plumbing lines. Consequently the top step and our sun shelf are now high and dry above the water line. Will it be ok to cover the pool like this, or might the plaster be damaged from drying out over the winter? If the latter, I assume I'll need to refill the pool to an inch below the skimmers prior to covering. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[ajw22]

It should be fine.

Here is where freezing of the water on the sun shelf damaged the surface...

After grinding / polishing of Diamond Brite Surface on Sun Shelf we have white blots and stains

Our pool has a sun shelf about 17" below the water surface. The pool contractor left about 4" of water on the sun shelf for the winter when winterizing, and we maintained it at that level. Nevertheless the freezing of this layer of water damaged the Diamond Brite surface to the point where it...

www.troublefreepool.com

How much water do you leave on your sun shelf for the winter freeze ?

Trying to figure out the best practice for winterizing a gunite / shotcrete pool with a sun shelf. Please post --- - Depth of water you try to maintain over sun shelf. - how far down from bottom of tile that water level is. - how diligently you maintain that level - type and age of pool...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[jimim]

No matter what you will have a step with no water on it anyway. So here is what I learned from someone else who used to post on here regarding ice and freeze. If u have no water in the plaster step or shelf you are good. If u have water in it you are good too. The issue comes when the water on shelf freezes to shelf so meaning 2 inches of water on shelf and 2 inches freezes to ice the frozen water in the plaster is what can cause some damage. If u have say 4 inches of water bit only 3 inches of ice you know have water on shelf vs ice. So I gathered it depends on how much ice you might get. That’s why I monitor my water close for my deep bench and steps. Most ice o have gotten in 3 winters is 3 inches of ice so I have been trying to keep 4 inches on my deep bench but watch my second step close so I don’t mess myself up there. The first year I had ice on my second step. No water under it. I got some blotchy grey looking patches in spring. Forgot name for this. I sanded it and brushed. It did a bit bit was still there. Over the past 2 years it has lightened to the point of not seeing it almost now. I believe it was from water frozen to ice onto that step.

Oh I have diamond brite super blue. So white base with colored aggregate.

 

[karcherd]

Thank you jimim.... that makes sense and is very helpful.

 

[karcherd]

It should be fine.

Here is where freezing of the water on the sun shelf damaged the surface...

After grinding / polishing of Diamond Brite Surface on Sun Shelf we have white blots and stains

Our pool has a sun shelf about 17" below the water surface. The pool contractor left about 4" of water on the sun shelf for the winter when winterizing, and we maintained it at that level. Nevertheless the freezing of this layer of water damaged the Diamond Brite surface to the point where it...

www.troublefreepool.com

How much water do you leave on your sun shelf for the winter freeze ?

Trying to figure out the best practice for winterizing a gunite / shotcrete pool with a sun shelf. Please post --- - Depth of water you try to maintain over sun shelf. - how far down from bottom of tile that water level is. - how diligently you maintain that level - type and age of pool...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks Allen!