How Far Below Skimmer to Drain Pool for Winter?

October 2, 2023 by 

The changing of seasons often necessitates a change in how we manage our properties, and this includes the way we treat our pools. Winterizing your pool is more than just a routine task; it’s a critical step to ensure that your pool remains in good condition, year after year. Specifically, when we talk about winterizing, an immediate question arises: how far below the skimmer should you drain your pool? A simple act of draining can make a significant difference in avoiding potential damages from freezing water.

This guide aims to shed light on this very question. By taking into consideration various factors like pool cover type, climate, and the annual precipitation in your area, you can determine the optimal water level for your pool during the chilling months. Let’s dive in and unravel the best practices for how far below the skimmer to drain your pool for winter.

Types of Pool Covers

A pool cover isn’t just a piece of fabric or mesh that you spread over the water. It plays a pivotal role in determining how much water should be drained. Pool covers vary in design and functionality, and their type dictates the necessary level to which you should drain your pool. Here’s a breakdown:

Solid Pool Covers: Imagine a barrier, strong and impermeable, that shields your pool from external elements. That’s what a solid pool cover does. Made to block everything out, solid pool covers are especially effective against algae growth. Algae, which thrives in the presence of sunlight, finds it hard to grow when a solid cover is in place.

However, solid covers come with a weight challenge. When rain or melted snow collects on top, it adds a significant weight. If the water inside the pool is too high, this weight can press against the skimmer, leading to potential damages. For pools with solid covers, it’s recommended to drain the water to at least 4 inches below the skimmer. By doing this, you ensure that the cover’s weight, even when laden with water or snow, doesn’t strain the skimmer.

Mesh Pool Covers: Lighter and permeable, mesh pool covers offer a different set of benefits. While they allow a certain degree of sunlight and debris to filter through, they are often favored for their ease of installation and cost-effectiveness.

Due to their design, mesh covers don’t collect water or snow. The precipitation simply seeps through. This means that the weight on the skimmer is significantly less than with solid covers. Hence, for pools with mesh covers, it’s typically safe to drain the water to a level of 2-3 inches below the skimmer. This ensures that the pool is adequately winterized without risking any damage to the skimmer.

Climate and Its Influence on Pool Draining

Your geographical location and the climate it presents have a profound impact on pool maintenance during the winter months. The primary concern is the freezing point of water. When water freezes, it expands, and this expansion can wreak havoc on your pool’s infrastructure, especially the skimmer.

Cold Climates: For those residing in areas where the temperature often dips below the freezing point, a more cautious approach is required. In such climates, even a small amount of water left in the skimmer can lead to significant damage when it expands upon freezing. Draining the pool at least 4 inches below the skimmer is a safety measure to avoid such scenarios. Furthermore, investing in a skimmer plug can be a wise decision. This plug will ensure that no water, even due to accidental refills like rain, gets into the skimmer, offering an extra layer of protection.

Warm Climates: Not all areas experience harsh winters, and if you are in a milder climate zone, your pool draining strategy can be a bit relaxed. Here, the threat of water freezing in the skimmer is minimal. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Draining the pool to a level of 2-3 inches below the skimmer is recommended. Even in warm climates, occasional cold snaps can occur, and maintaining this level ensures you are prepared for unexpected drops in temperature.

Snow and Rain: Nature’s Unpredictable Variables

While we can make educated guesses based on previous patterns, weather, especially snowfall and rain, remains largely unpredictable. These elements play a critical role in determining how far below the skimmer to drain the pool.

Heavy Snowfall and Rain: Areas accustomed to generous snowfall and rain during winters have their set of challenges. The weight of accumulated snow and rainwater, especially on solid pool covers, can be significant. To ensure that the additional weight does not press against and damage the skimmer, it’s crucial to drain the pool to a level of at least 4 inches below. As mentioned earlier, skimmer plugs can be especially beneficial in such regions, keeping the skimmer dry and safe.

Little Snow and Rain: For regions where winters are relatively dry with minimal precipitation, the approach can be more lenient. In such cases, maintaining a water level of 2-3 inches below the skimmer should suffice. However, complacency can be a pool owner’s worst enemy. Regularly checking the water level throughout the winter is crucial to ensure that it remains below the skimmer, providing a buffer against unforeseen weather changes.

Conclusion

Winterizing a pool is not just a task but an art that takes into account various factors. From the kind of pool cover you use to the climatic conditions of your region and the unpredictability of snow and rain, each plays a role in determining how far below the skimmer to drain your pool for winter.

While the guidelines provided offer a robust approach to most scenarios, always remember that each pool and its environment are unique. If ever in doubt, it’s always better to drain more than less. After all, when spring’s warmth graces us again, refilling is a simple task, but repairs can be tedious and expensive.

Protect your pool, protect your investment, and ensure countless more summers of splashing fun!