safe depth to drain vinyl pool w/vinyl stairs

[cheshamjim]

First, I'm new to this board and to PoolSolutions, so keep that in mind when reading this post. I'm answering because I have recent experience with partially draining my pool earlier this Spring. I know others will be along to give you the best advise.

Be veerrrry careful!!!. For reasons that are beside the point here, I drained my pool down about 18" from the normal water line (just under 6,000 gallons). When the vinyl liner began to billow inward significantly, I stopped immediately. Luckily, I didn't do any real damage and when I refilled the liner pretty much went back to its original position (except for a couple of minor wrinkles on the bottom).

I believe that ground water can cause real problems when draining a vinyl pool. I've even heard of vinyl liners floating right up out of their reinforcing walls. This is not good. Maybe ground water is not an issue in Scottsdale.

I too have CYA above 100. I'm simply maintaining a high chlorine content as recommended by Ben's Best Guess CYA chart http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365. I'm going to live with my high CYA for the rest of this season, then when I reopen next Spring I'll see where my CYA stands. If its still unacceptably high, I'll drain some, but not all of my pool water.

I'll be following this thread with interest since you and I have the same reasons for wanting to drain our pools.

-Jim