Water Levels

I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you all that you should adjust the water levels in your pool.  Please follow these guidelines below.

It is important in all instances to avoid having the pool in an overflow state.

Remember this in the spring also, especially after the snow melts and we get those spring rains. You do not want your pool overflowing from the tops of the skimmer housings and dumping all that water into the ground around your pool. This could cause vinyl liners to float and settle back down with wrinkles or it could cause fiberglass or gunite pools to pop right out of the ground in severe cases. Oftentimes, also, if you have a hydrostatic valve installed in the bottom of your pool to protect your pool from this excessive ground water pressure, the valves get stuck open with debris coming in with the ground water and they don’t close properly. When the ground water subsides and the valve is still open, your pool water pours out of it leaving your pool in harm’s way.

For winter or before you open the pool in summer

• If you have a safety cover on your pool, the cover manufacturer’s recommend that you maintain your water level not more than 18” down from the top. The reason for this is that the pool will freeze, the snow will come, and your cover will sink down with the weight of the snow. If the water level is not down more than 18” then the cover will rest nicely on the water and not overstretch causing your springs to stretch and break or possibly your straps or cover. Also, for this reason, should you ever suspect that you have a leak in your pool, we recommend that you uncover the pool completely so that you can monitor the water level and not damage your cover or possibly your pool structure. Family Pools recommends that you keep your water level 12” to 18” down from the very top.
   
• If you have a gunite pool then we recommend highly that you pump your water down at least 6” below the tile (not more than 18” from the top). If the water level is at your tile line when the water freezes, it could quite possibly crack and ruin much of your tile.
   
• If you have a vinyl-lined pool and a conventional solid cover then you do not have to lower your water level at all. It is, however, important to maintain the water level on top of your cover. If you have a foot of water on top of your cover then you can pump it straight off. If you have more than a foot of water on top of your cover then you should add water under the cover at the same time you pump off the top to account for water displacement. Some people pump the water from the top underneath. Others add fresh water as they pump.

That’s it! If you have any questions at all concerning the level of your pool or any winter pool concerns for that matter, please feel free to call us at 978-688-8307 ext 14 for the Service Dept. We are on limited winter hours. Please leave us a message if you don’t reach us and we will return your call.

Thanks for logging on and enjoy the rest of your season!