To drain or not before winterizing

[rj2222]

Last year with everyone's help i winterized for the first time. Didn't drain any water, just plugged where needed, since everyone kept mentioning how draining would make the winter cover put added pressure on the legs, walls, etc., so it wasn't really necessary. The winterizing article here says to drain below your ports.

So my question is, how bad is that extra strain compared to not draining?

I'm clearing up some algae on the bottom so I can winterize, so wondering if it's better to drain a little now to possibly help with that then leave it low until next year, or if I'm doing more damage to the legs and stuff over the winter than good by a little draining so just fight the algae and leave it full again. Not concerned about having to add water next year if that's best.

Also, I do use a pillow in the middle under my winter cover.

Sorry for rambling thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[Newdude]

There's 100 ways to skin this cat, and nobody is wrong.

I hope this helps.

 

[Newdude]

Ok ok ok. Just kidding. Kinda but not really. Everybody has their way. Most give up on the expense and PITA of pillows eventually, but they like them until they don't. No harm comes to them after giving them up.

Its the same with draining. Some drain a little more than others but as long as the cover sits flat on the water and it's no more than a foot down, it's all good. You don't want a tight trampoline at any water level. Rain or snow will put too much pressure on the walls if so. If the cover sits on the water, the water provides all the support needed.

 

[rj2222]

Thanks.

 

[dereksanders]

If the cover sits on the water, the water provides all the support needed.

BINGO!