Leaving My Pool Permanently Closed

by Grace

Leaving My Pool Permanently Closed

by Grace

I have a 16 x 36 inground. Last summer I left it closed after winterizing it. How many years can I leave it closed and what should I have done in preparation for leaving it per mantels closed? I have an old Loop Lock type cover on it with few holes from squirrels. Should I bother getting another cover. I don't want the pool anymore but I don't have the money to fill it in. The liner is in good condition.

---

Thanks for the question Grace

You can basically keep the pool unattended for years. The big issues are safety, animals, and mosquitoes. I'm not aware of your local laws concerning pool safety and having safety fences around the perimeter. I would encourage you to talk to your local officials and see if there's anything that needs to be done concerning a permanent pool closure.

Next is to have a safety cover on the pool, for obvious reasons. I don't have information as to your specific location or whether you have animals or children around the pool. A safety cover should always be in good repair.

Then there's the issue of stagnant water and mosquitoes. This is an absolute perfect breeding ground for them. If anything, you would need to drain the pool and keep the cover on it at all times until you're able to fill it in. What you'll have is just a big hole with a cover. If you are not financially able to fill it in then you'll need to take all precautions necessary to ensure nothing can fall into an empty pool.