Leaving Pool Up In Winter

[joslinm]

I have a 24 ft pool that has ant holes in the bottom. Leaks 1/2" a day. I'm really not in the mood to take the whole thing down this winter. I'd rather leave it up and just replace the liner in the spring (upstate NY). Most likely the water will all leak out over the winter. As long as it's still all together except for possibly little or no water, is it going to collapse on me?

I know it would collapse if it was covered and the water leaked, but what if it was not?

[PoolDoc]

I think you are taking a large risk, if you let it sit empty over the winter.

You might want to wait till the water cools -- but is not unendurably cold -- and let it leak down far enough to tell where the leak maybe. If it leaks below all fittings, then you know it's in the liner. If you do this in Sept, you can still wade around, and find and patch the leak.

You can maintain the water with plain 6% household bleach.

[joslinm]

I know exactly where it's leaking It's full of pinhead sized ant holes on the bottom. The liner is not fixable.

I'd replace now but don't like the thought of giving them (ants) a head start

[PoolDoc]

I think I'd go ahead and replace the liner, now.

BUT . . . pre-treat the soil with a insecticide. Waste may have some ideas -- I'll alert him.