Replacement winterizing plugs for returns and skimmer

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ba67

Well-known member
Oct 17, 2018
97
Southern Kentucky
The company that closes our pool puts a plug like the one shown below into each of our returns so they don’t have to drain water out below the returns to winterize them and add antifreeze. My husband cracked the one in the shallow end return while taking it out at opening so we need a new one. What is this plug called and where can we purchase another one? I also need to know if we should purchase a new skimmer gizmo since the one that we have is probably 8-10 years old. Water level frequently rises above the skimmer over the winter before we are able to pump the excess water out, so I want to make sure that our skimmer is properly protected.

return3.jpg
 
It is a home made piece from a couple of parts. Take it to the plumbing aisle at Home Depot and match the fittings, then get a section of pipe to be able to make a new one.

Or take it to a plumbing supply house and hand it to them. They'll take off in the back and come back with what your need. If the customer is pleasant enough, they might even assemble it for you, it only takes a minute.
 
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Sorry. Just saw the gizmo question. They are all but indestructible and will probably outlast us. As long as it screws in securely, it should be fine. That said, they are also really cheap of you want to replace them every 5-10 years.

I always test squeezed mine to prove they were holding air, eventhough they don't need to. It made me feel better tho. :)
 
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Newdude said:
It is a home made piece from a couple of parts. Take it to the plumbing aisle at Home Depot and match the fittings, then get a section of pipe to be able to make a new one.

Or take it to a plumbing supply house and hand it to them. They'll take off in the back and come back with what your need. If the customer is pleasant enough, they might even assemble it for you, it only takes a minute.
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If this is so helpful at closing, I wonder why the pool stores don't sell something like this. I guess I will try to see if a plumbing supply store can make one for us so I don't have to admit to my pool pro that we broke it instead of paying him $400 to open the pool.
 
ba67 said:
If this is so helpful at closing, I wonder why the pool stores don't sell something like this
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Everybody has their way and there are many ways to choose. They particularly like this way because it gets them in and out (but surprisingly not saving you for the less time they took. :scratch:)

And it hurts you in the long run because by not draining at close, you are full again sooner.

I drain below the returns, and use a short piece of hose duct taped to a funnel to add antifreeze to the returns (and the horizontal pipes at the equipment pad). Then I plug all the open pipes and call it a season.
 
Newdude said:
Everybody has their way and there are many ways to choose. They particularly like this way because it gets them in and out (but surprisingly not saving you for the less time they took. :scratch:)

And it hurts you in the long run because by not draining at close, you are full again sooner.

I drain below the returns, and use a short piece of hose duct taped to a funnel to add antifreeze to the returns (and the horizontal pipes at the equipment pad). Then I plug all the open pipes and call it a season.
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My pool service company claims that they use these on all mesh-covered pools--even when they drain water below the returns. They used to lower the water a few inches below the returns at closing until our pool started showing signs of settlement and we had a leak in a return line after a wet winter. Our fiberglass pool company advised us to only lower the water level a few inches below the skimmer mouth at closing to prevent more settlement. Its a major PITA because we have to drain water out every month or so to keep the water level below the tiles all winter. I think we are going to start saving up for a solid cover so we don't have to drain water out after closing and can open up to clear water.
 
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How much water safely can and should be drained at closing is different for liner pools like @Newdude has then fiberglass pools like you have.

Your pool companies recommendations are correct for a fiberglass pool.

Even a solid cover gets water into the pool from around the edges. I have a solid cover and still need to drain the pool some winters if we get a lot of rain and snow runoff.

When your mesh cover needs replacement you can go for a solid cover. I don't think it is worth it for you to trash a good mesh cover for a solid one. Throw a solid tarp over your mesh cover and put a pump on it to drain most of the water away from the pool.
 
ba67 said:
They used to lower the water a few inches below the returns at closing until our pool started showing signs of settlement and we had a leak in a return line after a wet winter. Our fiberglass pool company advised us to only lower the water level a few inches below the skimmer mouth at closing to prevent more settlement.
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Sure. *now* you tell me. :ROFLMAO:

Off to the plumbing supply it is. !!!

Keep us posted.
 
This is made up of four PVC pieces glued together.

Do you have the cracked one? Can you show us a pic of it and where it cracked? It may be repairable with a bit of PVC and glue.

Assembling this is not more difficult then most arts and crafts projects.

return3-jpg.457182
 
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Could someone tell me what the advantages are of using elbow like this when closing a pool with a mesh cover that won't be lowered below the returns? We had a leak in our deep end return after a cold winter once and they have been using this ever since then at closing. A new pool professional is closing our pool this year and he says there is no advantage to using an elbow like this and he recommends using a standard plug instead. He says that he will make me one if I feel more comfortable using it though. Just trying to decide if I want to pay extra to get one made or just close with a standard plug.
 

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ba67 said:
Could someone tell me what the advantages are of using elbow like this when closing a pool with a mesh cover that won't be lowered below the returns?
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  • Less likely to leak
  • Easier to blow out
  • Ice cannot pull it out
ba67 said:
Just trying to decide if I want to pay extra to get one made or just close with a standard plug.
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Up to you. It's your pool.
 
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