Hi Guys,

I wanted to double check on some advice that was given to me by my
pool supplier.

This year, I had some trouble with the liner on my above ground pool
that was a direct result of too much snow sitting on my cover and
stressing the walls of the pool last winter.

They recommended that I keep the pool cover on only until the all the
leaves have fallen and then remove the cover for the reminder of the
winter so that there is no pressure on the walls from the snow.

Sounds like a good idea, and I just took the cover off the pool today
(I live in New Hampshire, BTW). It's hard to believe, but my water
level was down some 6" or more from where I left it when I covered it
up! I know we had a warm fall but still, I guess it gets hot under
there and plenty of water evaporated. I'm pretty sure there isn't a
leak in the pool as this has happened ever since I got a new cover (my
old one had holes that let in rain water). And during the season,
there is no strange loss of water. Or maybe it's more believable to
think that some pool water was seeping through the cover into the top
and getting pumped off by my pool pump? Damn..... if that's it, then I
don't what I should do to prevent it.

So I have 3 questions:

1. Is it sound advice to keep the cover off for the winter and just
let the snow accumulate in the pool?

2. Is it ok for my liner to have more than half of the 4' wall
exposed? Will it dry out?

3. Did the water in my pool really evaporate or is it more likely
seeping through my cover or is something else happening?

Thanks for your time,

G