Pool water level rising during winter closing, not sure what to do.

[mjs0866]

Hello,

I have an inground vinyl pool that is closed & covered during the winter months (with a tarp like cover with water bags around it), I am in new england and this is my second season with the pool (built in the late 90s I would guess).I usually drain the water that accumulates on the cover during the winter with a submersible pump every so often, however today after I drained it I noticed that the cover was laying at a lot higher on the pool than it usually is. I peaked under the cover and sure enough the water is about 5-6 inches below the deck when its usually 3-4 feet lower.

I'm not sure why this is happening (a hole or rip in the cover maybe? something else?) or what to do about this?
What kind of problems could this cause? I'm pretty nervous I messed something up bad.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

We have had lots of rain in the Northeast this winter. Do you think your pool filled with rain runoff?

I would put your submersible pump in the pool and lower the water level a bit.

With a liner pool you don’t want to drop the water level by 4 feet. Maybe 18 inches, a bit below the skimmer mouth is all you need.

 

[mjs0866]

Welcome to TFP.

We have had lots of rain in the Northeast this winter. Do you think your pool filled with rain runoff?

I would put your submersible pump in the pool and lower the water level a bit.

With a liner pool you don’t want to drop the water level by 4 feet. Maybe 18 inches, a bit below the skimmer mouth is all you need.

I can't say it's impossible due to runoff but I don't remember this happening last season. It's hard to tell if there's a hole or rip in the tarp because it's filled with leaves.

I'm worried the pump will damage the lining, maybe I should put it by the stairs?

Also worried about the rain water diluting whatever chemicals that were in the pool water, won't it be more susceptible to freezing now? or turning green by the time I open it?

 

[Texas Splash]

Even though it's a liner pool, was a hydrostatic valve installed perhaps? Some builders do that. Maybe protection for a high water table.

 

[Newdude]

I'm worried the pump will damage the lining, maybe I should put it by the stairs?

Put the pump in a 5 gallon bucket and lower it gently. Or hang the pump.

I used both the hanging and bucket yesterday in an attempt to drain the higher level at the top of the bucket which is mostly rain water. It still probably mixed a bunch but it made me feel better to try.

Also worried about the rain water diluting whatever chemicals that were in the pool water, won't it be more susceptible to freezing now? or turning green by the time I open it?

It mostly stratifies and stays up top. I took samples last winter and it was how I left it on the bottom, 0 up top, and a sliding scale in between. This is why I attempted to drain just the top yesterday.

After you drain, drop the pump to the bottom and toss the hose in the pool for an hour to mix the pool well. It'll redistribute what's left.

 

[ajw22]

I can't say it's impossible due to runoff but I don't remember this happening last season. It's hard to tell if there's a hole or rip in the tarp because it's filled with leaves.

Winter precipitation varies year to year. This year is very rainy and warm.

I'm worried the pump will damage the lining, maybe I should put it by the stairs?

Stairs are fine.

Also worried about the rain water diluting whatever chemicals that were in the pool water, won't it be more susceptible to freezing now? or turning green by the time I open it?

Pool chemicals do not affrct freezing.

If the pool turns green you deal with it. Right now deal with too high a water level.

 

[Newdude]

Winter precipitation varies year to year. This year is very rainy and warm.

+1. All 3 of us being fairly local...... we just got 10 inches in the last 2 weeks with more coming on Tues/Wed. It might even be frozen this time.

 

[mjs0866]

Thanks all. I will try to drain the water a foot or so.

Should I add any additional chlorine after this or should I be ok?

 

[Texas Splash]

Should I add any additional chlorine after this or should I be ok?

Unless you have a way to mix the chemicals, just leave it alone.

Still curious though, did your pool have a hydrostatic valve installed in the drain that you know of?

 

[mjs0866]

Unless you have a way to mix the chemicals, just leave it alone.

Still curious though, did your pool have a hydrostatic valve installed in the drain that you know of?

ok, I just drained some of it today. Will do some more tomorrow.

I don't know of any hydrostatic valve but I don't know a whole lot about pools. So there could be.

I know the water table seems to be very high around my area right now. My basement sump pump seems to be running quite often.

Thanks for the help, all.