Another winterizing question! Block skimmer?

[negativez0]

Shutting the pool down today. I'm going to bring the filter, hoses, and pump into the house for the winter. Do I just leave the bottom of the skimmer and the return open after I drain down the pool 6-8" below them? Should I leave the cover on the skimmer basket? I wouldn't want any animals crawling through under the liner.

 

[Newdude]

The bottom of the skimmer is good to leave open. Place a stepping stone or such under it so any water that gets out doesn't erode the pool wall edge. Leave the cover nice and secured like it is.

Plug the return. If water gets out of the skimmer, it's away from the pool water. If it leaves the return, it will run down the wall.

Snow and ice on top of the cover can push downward, raising the water level some at the perimeter where it can spill out of any openings.

 

[negativez0]

The bottom of the skimmer is good to leave open. Place a stepping stone or such under it so any water that gets out doesn't erode the pool wall edge. Leave the cover nice and secured like it is.

Plug the return. If water gets out of the skimmer, it's away from the pool water. If it leaves the return, it will run down the wall.

Snow and ice on top of the cover can push downward, raising the water level some at the perimeter where it can spill out of any openings.

Thanks! Is there a simple plug I can get from a hardware store? I don't have one and need to shut down and cover it today. I'm not sure what to plug it with

 

[Newdude]

The threaded plug is of course more secure if you have a traditional eyeball style return. Any pool store should have them.

Plug 1

if not, your hardware store or plumbing supply will have a rubber expansion plug

Plug 2

 

[Decoy205]

Also I don’t think you need to drain 6” below the skimmer. 3” or so should be enough!

 

[phonedave]

I don't drain my pool at all.

I just plug my return and skimmer. I leave my suction and return lines open at the ends.

 

[Mdragger88]

The doughboy skimmer has a hole/port for vacuuming so it needs a plate like this
Aquador Doughboy Above Ground Pool Skimmer Cover - 1020 https://a.co/d/aVFz6Ry
Or a regular skimmer block & another plug for that port
Or the water must be drained below that port.

 

[phonedave]

The doughboy skimmer has a hole/port for vacuuming so it needs a plate like this
Aquador Doughboy Above Ground Pool Skimmer Cover - 1020 https://a.co/d/aVFz6Ry
Or a regular skimmer block & another plug for that port
Or the water must be drained below that port.

That is how I plug my skimmer as well, but I use a pop in as opposed to a snap on plug, but still the same concept.