Should we fill now or wait?

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sslane5

New member
Apr 26, 2025
4
Seattle
We closed our 18’ above ground pool for winter but it failed and the pool had so much nasty stuff in it we decided to drain and start over. We have now cleaned it and it is ready to fill. However, we are going to be gone on vacation for 7 weeks. I had originally thought we would fill and just leave the pump rink g 24/7 while we are gone, but I don’t have anyone to come check the chemicals and I am concerned it will get an algae bloom once the chemicals get out of balance. I thought about adding the winterizer and putting the winter cover back on and not turning on the pump. But we will want to use the pool soon after we return…. I read on this forum that is is t good to leave the pool empty. So I would appreciate your ideas on the best course of action at this point.

We are in Seattle so the weather over the next 8 weeks is a Crud shoot- we could get a heat wave or it could be cold and rainy the whole time.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 
Welcome to TFP.

What model pool are we discussing?

Fill the pool. Water helps support an above-ground pool.

Without water, you risk a storm damaging the pool.

Get the water chemistry set and put a floater in with trichlor tablets to keep the water chlorinated while you are gone.
 
Thank you! It is an Intex 18’ round, we bought it in 2020 and we upgraded the pump last year.

We do have a floating basket, I was just concerned that if I put a bunch in they would all dissolve at the same time. Is there a dispensing basket that would work better for a long period? (Sorry if this is a stupid question, I just found this site and we have been winging it for 5 years!).
 
Trichlor tablets are designed to dissolve slowly.

They will not last for 7 weeks, though.

Will you have someone checking your house during that time who can check the floater and put in more tablets?
 
Thanks, I am working on finding someone to come at least a few times to check things out. I am afraid there is a high likelihood we will come home to a swamp… I was thinking of putting the winter cover on it rather than the floating cover. To reduce the need for vacuuming. Does that make sense or might that cause your problems?
 
Leaving a pool covered fir 7 weeks has its own problems with CO2 not being able to out gas and no UV to get rid of CCs.

There is no right answer and accept that the price of the trip may be the SLAM Process
 
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