"Also for the past few years, on my last trip of the year (Oct) I normally drain half the water out of the pool which is 1.6 metres deep, to allow for the winter rain not overflowing it, and in case of earthquakes I've been told it helps to keep some water in the pool.
Come May when I return I have a pool that is the colour of a swamp, I then fully drain the pool take all the dead leaves from the bottom and clean the tiles etc, but it takes 5 days to fill from empty, plus another day for the 'shock chlorine' to kick in, the another day for the Algicide."
It's interesting about pools! Funnily enough I looked up about i earlier in the year! I'm a sad case I know! The above was one answer, others do not empty at all but keep adding chemicals etc etc but expensive
"Do any of you that have a pool, do what I do, half empty pool over winter, fully drain pool of now green water in spring and fill with fresh water and chemicals taking 5-7 days. Or do you half empty in winter, fill the green coloured pool to full and then add chemicals etc. Saving days on the cleaning process?"
Also:
"I've tried both methods ie John's empty, pressure wash and leave as well as keeping it ticking over during the long winter months ie October to May. Last week I was at the pool shop in Chania and the owner recommended the latter method ie keep it running.
Something to consider too, if a tiled pool, the water volume / pressure is huge and if emptied the tiles might crack if there's any ground movement."
Obviously a quite complicated process. Amazing what can prove interesting during lockdowns!!!