Winterizing a gunite pool with spillover spa

[Tommygarry1]

Hi all...when you winterize a spill over gunite spa/pool, is it customary to leave water in the spa or is ok to leave it empty? Pic attached. I am in NYC area

 

[ajw22]

Nothing is customary with pools. Depends on the the details of your spa. If it level with the ground and will get rain runoff under the cover?

It can be done either way. You need to drain the spa down at least halfway anyway to keep water off the tiles. Do not leave the spa water level at the level of any seats or steps.

If you totally drain the spa it will not stay that way over the winter as water can get in under the cover. Then the risk is you have a thin layer of water on the floor of the spa that freezes and spalls the plaster. Better to have a layer of water that any ice will freeze on top of.

 

[Tommygarry1]

Thank you for the response. I see you responded to a similar post from another member. The picture of my spa is attached. It is above ground for about one foot. The rest is below ground level. My only concern was the previous technician used to keep the water full, so that made me curious. I have a mesh cover so water will definitely get in overtime. I can can also fill it up to a couple of inches above the bench to guard against what you are warning about.