We live in Maine and just finished shutting down our 24' above ground pool for the year. We've been dealing with a rusty decaying wall around the inlet slowly getting worse each year, leaking more and more. I knew eventually that the wall would have to be repaired at some point and today we reached that point when we discovered after taking out inlet piping that the area around the inlet cutout (the primary source of leaks for us) it was literally breaking off in chunks. So the pool wall needs to be repaired, no idea how bad it is until we remove liner. I was hoping to drain it this week and start removing the liner to assess the damage. I haven't decided on whether I will fix the damage this fall or wait until spring, I guess it depends on what I find behind the liner. In any case, with cold temps coming, is it ok for us to drain the pool and if so would we bother covering it or leave it uncovered? In past years we cover it every year, but we also have it full of water. I don't know the best approach to avoid any winter damage whether or not its ok to let an empty pool sit dry, and whether it should be covered or not. Anyone have any experience or thoughts? I really prefer not to put everything off until spring but if I'm risking damage to the pool by having it unfilled I will wait. Actually the more I think about it, I have no idea how "flimsy" the pool would be with no water and liner in it all winter when it comes to bad weather, wind, etc? Maybe I could possibly drain it but leave the entire liner in minus the damaged area which I could cut out to do my assessment? That way 95% of the liner is still in tact to help brace the walls. I'm probably way overthinking this one. Typical of me!
to drain or not to drain my pool pre-winter...advice needed
- Thread starter iaminit
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
We almost never recommend leaving a pool completely empty. In your case, the walls could easily collapse and/or the liner shift. Based on your suspected damage though, it sounds like the pool is on its last leg anyway.
We almost never recommend leaving a pool completely empty. In your case, the walls could easily collapse and/or the liner shift. Based on your suspected damage though, it sounds like the pool is on its last leg anyway.
- Jun 7, 2024
- 410
- Pool Size
- 7300
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Intex Krystal Clear
Definitely the winter winds will have a field day with an empty pool of that size. That’s asking for trouble, IMHO.