Lowering water in a pool partially frozen

[Annorax]

Hi all,

I have an in ground, vinyl lined pool and live in MA. When closing the pool in September, I lowered the water to maybe 6 inches or so below the skimmer basket. In November I checked on the water level and it was quite high so I used a submersible pump to lower it a few inches. Now it's December and I can see that I need to lower it some more - however this time around there is a thin layer of ice in the pool and a thicker layer in the middle.

I was reading that it isn't a good idea to lower the water while the pool is frozen, I'm guessing because the ice will scratch the liner or cause other issues. The thin layer of ice around the steps is very easy to break and mostly broken now so I could put a pump there. Is that a good idea to do? I don't want the pool to overflow but I don't want to cause any damage either.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Annorax !! The ice can have very sharp edges and left alone it will be fine but if it’s disturbed in any way it can slice your liner. The higher water level is less risk than damaging the liner. It’s best left alone and drain as soon as it melts, which can be as early as next week.

 

[Annorax]

Thank you, that is what I was leaning towards. Now yesterday I did lower it about 3-4 inches as it was quite high, but today is colder. Today being Tuesday - Sunday was a high of 57F, yesterday (Monday) being about 37F, and today right now about 32F. I can definitely see more ice than yesterday. I'm hoping yesterday was OK to lower it a bit as there was less ice but today I don't feel as comfortable doing so.

 

[Newdude]

Plenty of pools overflow all winter and are fine. Think of all the people who head south and aren’t there to watch it. It will probably warm up enough to melt altogether soon and drain it then before the big freeze hits. Then again when that melts. And then probably again in the early spring.

 

[RedSoxFan]

I have an AGP and noticed today that the pool pillow popped and the top of the pool is frozen. It’s pretty thick - a couple of inches. Should I just leave it? Hope that it melts? The skimmer plug was slightly ajar and water was dripping out slowly. I re seated the skimmer plug. But what do I do at this point? Just wait till I melts? Concerned we may have some more cold days ahead and don’t want the ice to damage the liner.
There’s a 1/2 inch around the pool liner that is not frozen.

 

[ajw22]

I have an AGP and noticed today that the pool pillow popped and the top of the pool is frozen. It’s pretty thick - a couple of inches. Should I just leave it? Hope that it melts? The skimmer plug was slightly ajar and water was dripping out slowly. I re seated the skimmer plug. But what do I do at this point? Just wait till I melts? Concerned we may have some more cold days ahead and don’t want the ice to damage the liner.
There’s a 1/2 inch around the pool liner that is not frozen.

Yes, do not disturb a pool that has ice in it. IF it got through this far in the winter it will be fine as the spring thaws without you touching it.