Hayward 1085 Block Off Plates

[agorka]

I'm struggling to find block off plates for a Hayward SP 1085 for winterizing.

I have gray ones currently installed, not that color is overly important for winterizing.

I found Aquador that makes white alternatives but does that mean I need to remove and reinstall every spring both the skimmer trim and aquador?

Should I not block off the skimmers? and just use a Gizmo and a Gallon Jug from Antifreeze?

I have watched the video and done plenty of research, but this seems to be the last missing piece of the puzzle for me. Appreciate the help and brain trust here at TFP.

 

[Newdude]

Should I not block off the skimmers? and just use a Gizmo and a Gallon Jug from Antifreeze?

I couldn't understand the online reviews that were all over the place until I bought one for the old pool we inherited with moving. The brand new plate was square but the skimmer wasn't with 17 years of UV exposure. Even with the thick rubber gasket on the aquadoor, it didn't seal and took a few hours to fill the skimmer back up from drips.

The reviews claiming they were great were likely new pools/skimmers and it was only a matter of time until they no longer worked.

I have brand new skimmers this year and am going with gizmos. I will then load the skimmer and mouth with pool noodle pieces. If I can't get them wedged in there good enough, I'll duct tape a strip around them like a brick of dynamite so they don't shift.

The pipes need blowing and antifreeze either way.

 

[agorka]

I couldn't understand the online reviews that were all over the place until I bought one for the old pool we inherited with moving. The brand new plate was square but the skimmer wasn't with 17 years of UV exposure. Even with the thick rubber gasket on the aquadoor, it didn't seal and took a few hours to fill the skimmer back up from drips.

The reviews claiming they were great were likely new pools/skimmers and it was only a matter of time until they no longer worked.

I have brand new skimmers this year and am going with gizmos. I will then load the skimmer and mouth with pool noodle pieces. If I can't get them wedged in there good enough, I'll duct tape a strip around them like a brick of dynamite so they don't shift.

The pipes need blowing and antifreeze either way.

Thanks for the quick response, so just screw in Gizmo, open the blow out valve. Hook up cyclone and blow and surround it with pool noodles and not sweat whatever water is in there? Assume the noodles will displace enough and aren't absorbing to stay hard.

I'd prefer to avoid block off plates because I've found the same as you, all reviews ultimately hint towards leaks, just a matter of time when, so it seems pointless.

 

[Newdude]

so just screw in Gizmo, open the blow out valve. Hook up cyclone and blow

I got regular gizmos so I need to lower the water. With blow through gizmos you don't have to lower, but if you have a permeable cover, you'll be draining quicker.

 

[Pool_Medic]

Block off plates are only useful to those of us that,don’t want to lower water and want to clear the skimmer of all water. Plate in, gizmo in, blow to remove water in line, remove gizmo as needed to let the sitting water go back down the line, blower On until you’ve got it all gone, cap it then stuff noodles everywhere. Zero antifreeze required.

 

[agorka]

Block off plates are only useful to those of us that,don’t want to lower water and want to clear the skimmer of all water. Plate in, gizmo in, blow to remove water in line, remove gizmo as needed to let the sitting water go back down the line, blower On until you’ve got it all gone, cap it then stuff noodles everywhere. Zero antifreeze required.

Yeah but aren't there individuals who dont lower water and dont block off skimmers?

I plan on going that route and shoving the skimmer full of pool noodles.

 

[Pool_Medic]

I don’t because I can do more pools in one day plus I don’t have to lug my pump and hoses all day long.