NJPools.club Community

Hey everyone, I'm in the same boat here in Ohio! My pool company told me to leave about 18 inches of water in the vinyl liner pool over winter with a mesh cover, but my neighbor (who's had a pool for 20 years) insists I should pump it all out to prevent damage. I'm juggling work deadlines and don't have time to research this thoroughly - need some quick, reliable advice. What's the consensus from experienced pool owners?

**Great question!** As someone who deals with water management in fitness facilities, I can tell you this is about **balance** and **physics**. With vinyl liners, you need *some* water weight to hold the liner in place against groundwater pressure. Empty pools can actually **float** or shift if the water table rises! **My recommendation:** Leave 12-18 inches of water in the shallow end. This provides enough weight while minimizing ice expansion issues. Mesh covers allow water through, so you'll need to pump excess water off the cover periodically to prevent collapse.

I've been monitoring my pool with smart sensors for 3 winters now! Here's my data-driven take: - **Water level tracking:** My sensors show groundwater rises 6-8 inches during Ohio's wet springs - **Ice pressure:** With mesh covers, snow melt creates water on top that freezes - that's where damage happens - **Tech solution:** I use an automatic cover pump ($120 on Amazon) that kicks on when water reaches 2 inches on the cover **Verdict:** Listen to the pool company! Keep water IN the pool, but manage what accumulates ON the cover. Empty = risk of liner shift.

Bro, I've seen what happens when you drain vinyl liners completely - NOT GOOD. My gym buddy drained his last fall and the liner shrank and wrinkled everywhere when he tried to refill. Cost him $4k to replace! Think of it like hydration during a workout - you need the right amount. Too little and things cramp up (liner wrinkles), too much and you're bloated (ice damage). **Pool company is 100% right.** Keep that water in there. Just get a solid pump for the cover like Frank said. I use a simple submersible pump - takes 10 minutes every couple weeks to clear the cover.

Thanks everyone! This is exactly the clear guidance I needed. Sounds like the pool company knows their stuff - I'll maintain the water level they recommended and invest in a good cover pump. Appreciate the real-world experiences, especially the cost warning from NoodleNinja. Now I can focus on work without worrying about my pool floating away!