How Low Should You Drain a Pool Before Winter Closing? A Practical Guide to Getting the Water Level Right
It's not about perfection when you drain a pool for winter closing. It is about putting the water at the right level for your particular pool, cover, plumbing setup, and climate without removing more water than necessary. Drain too little and winter precipitation or freezing water can create problems around the skimmer and cover; drain too much and you may reduce support for the liner, pool shell, or safety cover.
Quick Answer
There is no single drain level that works for every pool. Many winter closings involve lowering the water several inches below the skimmer, while some mesh safety cover installations call for considerably more clearance because rain and melting snow can pass through the cover. Other systems use winterizing plugs or skimmer protection that allow the pool to remain closer to its normal operating level. Always follow the instructions for your pool, liner, winter cover, and winterizing equipment rather than relying on one universal measurement.
Why Pools Are Lowered Before Winter
The main reason for lowering the water is to help protect plumbing and fittings from freeze damage. Water trapped inside skimmer lines, return lines, pumps, filters, heaters, and other equipment can expand when it freezes. A proper closing normally includes draining or blowing out vulnerable plumbing and protecting it according to the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Lowering the pool also creates room for precipitation. This matters especially with mesh safety covers because rain and snowmelt can pass through the material and gradually raise the water level during the off-season.
What homeowners sometimes miss is that lowering the water and winterizing the plumbing are two different jobs. Simply draining below a fitting does not automatically protect every line. Likewise