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  Dan Simmering February 27, 2009 at 6:41am

  All depends on a few things. 1st & formost where are you?? If your in a cold climate such as i am in ohio, frost can collapse pool walls in a few days if there is no internal pressure on pool walls. Next is the key question. When you say drained , how far drained?? If pool was winterized, does it have a main drain?? if so first pressure test it first before you proceed any farther. I have seen this happen numerous times..even if pool is not completly drained. Main drain winterization often is reliant in a valve or plug to hold air pressure in drain line to keep water below the frost line in winter. If wichever is used(valve or plug ) fails , water will fill line to pool surface level& often frreze rupturing line & causing water loss.......hope this helps contact me if i can advise further...Dan
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  Chuck Burkholz January 9, 2009 at 7:40pm

  Yep! Liner's toast, definitely. I agree with Justin, pull the cover. If the pool is out in the open and exposed to wind, maybe put some bracing against the wall to counter the wind's "sail effect" and resist buckling. Maybe you can get by with just bracing against the prevailing wind side. If it's got a deck around it and other protection from the wind, you may be surprised at how well it holds up over the winter. If the pool is backfilled (against most AG pool manufacturer's recommendations) springtime will tell the tale. Someone might have a whole bunch of shoveling to do!
  
  Here in Wisconsin, I've had similar experience with AG pools going empty over winter, have been surprised to find all OK in spring and just replaced the liner when the weather allowed. Ground water is sure enough another factor, gotta handle what it throws at you.
  
  When faced with this kind of problem I always remind myself - "Don't make this MY problem". It's really not, even if I winterized that pool. Unless, of course, when I winterized it the customer told me the pool leaked or I caused the leak and knew I caused it. Then I should have handled it right then.
  
  The customer's homeowner insurance may very well cover it if the pool goes down over the winter.
  Keep us posted!
  Chuck
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  Frank Cafiso November 25, 2008 at 6:53am

  Thank you all for your time and input; it's greatly appreciated.
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    Justin Gregoli > Frank Cafiso December 4, 2008 at 7:45am

    Frank,
    Wendy is 100% correct, the structure is the main concern. It is not uncommon in New York for the empty pool to colapse while empty, if you leave the cover on the odds go up that the pool may colapse. Another consideration is the water table, if it is high you will have other concerns. the best thing you could do is tent the pool area heat the air and drop a new liner and fill, re-winterize and close. All of this is pretty much the same for abovegrounds as well. Wind would be a big concern for aboveground pools as Wendy was saying. If the pool has been empty for more than a few days you must replace the liner, the risks are just not worth it.
    Good luck!
    Justin
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  Wendy Purser November 24, 2008 at 5:43pm

  As you are located in New York and therefore receive snow this could cause a structural issue with pressure on the outside walls of the pool and no water on the inside. Is this an "on ground" pool or an "above ground" pool? It would be wise to check with the manufacturer as to their recommendations. The customer could possibly void their warranty as well. Excessive winds could also cause problems with the integrety also. Leaving the pool without water also increases the risk of damage to the liner from debri entering the pool. A wintrer cover is not meant to support weight debri and may fall in or pull on the outside walls resulting in damage and usually loss of warranty as well. The shape of the pool has considerations as to strength also. I have seen liners that are left without water to "shrink" and not fit again. Depending on the water chemistry some of the plasticizers in the vinyl may have been lost and the elasticity of the liner will not be what you need. I am not an expert in snow so maybe another northern dealer can give you more insight.
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  Jeremy Hine November 22, 2008 at 10:24am

  if its drained completely, it'll be real easy to locate the leak. I'd wait till warmer temps in the mid 60's. Unless its a new liner this season, I'd patch before replace.
  
  -Jeremy
  Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
  www.FLLeisure.com

  Florida Leisure Pool, Spa, Hot Tub Repair, Pumps, Filters, Heaters, Salt Chlorinators, Automation

  We repair pools, spas and hot tubs, pumps, motors, heaters, filters, automation equipment in Gainesville and North Central FL
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  Doug Dagenhart November 21, 2008 at 12:26pm

  I have been taught that whenever a vinyl pool empties completely you should replace the liner because the weight of the water was the only thing holding the floor of the liner in place and odds are the floor of the liner will not strecth back out correctly if you attempt to reuse it. You should not have any problems waiting until the spring to replace the liner, depending on what part of the country you are in it may be a better idea to wait until spring if you are in a cool climate right now. If it is too cold outside (I've been taught below 60 degree highs) the new liner may not stretch out correctly.