Water Level for Closing an IG Plaster Pool in Pennsylvania

[JessicaE]

Hello!
I've read the pool school article on closing (this was about a liner pool and I need info on plaster), as well as relevant threads on this topic. I am looking for reassurance that I am closing my pool in the best way possible. I live in SE Pennsylvania where we do get a freeze.
I have a 30+ year old in ground plastered pool that has spent more of its life closed than open. We opened it this summer for the first time in our ownership and we LOVE it! Sure, the plaster is a little rough and one skimmer got a little damaged from freezes but it WORKS.
Anyway, closing it for the first time now; we hired it to be closed. What I'm concerned about is all the differing info on water level for closing. I understand plaster should not be exposed to air ever. But you want the water level below the skimmers. Our water level now is about 4" below skimmers which also exposes the top step's plaster. What to do?? Should I put more water back in the pool and bring it closer to the skimmer level? Should I cover the top step with water to protect the plaster? Do I have to add more chemicals back then, but how do they circulate because plumbing is closed?
We had some tile pop off from the years of neglect in the past. Plaster damage from being exposed to air sounds scarier that replacing some time.
Please tell me the optimal water level. I have gizmos in the returns. Thank you!!!!

 

[ajw22]

You always want to keep the winter water level below the tile line so that tiles are not damaged in freezing conditions.

What type of cover do you have on your pool?

The step plaster may get roughened up a bit from exposure but you will hardly notice it. The step may be what you sacrifice to prevent tile damage.

What you do not want is to have a thin layer of water on any plaster surface like the step where it can freeze and cause spalling which will break up the plaster. So if you added water to cover the step the water level needs to be at least an inch above the step which probably gets it close to the tile line.

I think you are as good as you can get.

 

[SecoSteve]

I have a 5 year old plaster pool and every closing I have lowered to two inches below the tile line. That leaves one step above the water line and two inches of exposed plaster, and there is NO difference between the plaster on that step and plaster in the water.

 

[JessicaE]

Thank you so much for your responses!!! I have a safety Loop Loc mesh cover so I know I'll have to monitor water level if it rains a lot.
Again, thank you so much.