ABG Pool repairs after winter

[jenj0k]

Hi guys, im new here as being a first time pool owner. I want to learn how to properly maintain it and eventually maybe open and close it myself (to save money)

We purchased our AGP June 2022 was installed and the ground leveled by the pool company.

21” Round
Thermopump
Saltwater

Its the first winter that we have a pool. And with the harsh winter here in Canada so far i have some issues, and I dont know what to do or if i call the pool company I want to be able to know how to speak or explain it to them and make sure the issue is being addressed properly. Im just not sure if i can ask it here.

-Skimmer broke, need replacement
-bowing at the bottom

Im not sure if the photo of it bowing down is clear. But there is a gap vetween the wall and the pole because bottom has a bludge from it bowing down.

Thabks guys for reading

 

[PoolStored]

call the pool company I want to be able to know how to speak or explain it to them and make sure the issue is being addressed properly. Im just not sure if i can ask it here.

-Skimmer broke, need replacement
-bowing at the bottom

Welcome to TFP!!!

You can ask ANYTHING here!

Yes, call the pool company. Say, "My skimmer is broken and my pool wall is bowing." Have them come and inspect.

Good Luck!

 

[Mdragger88]

And to prevent this from happening again you need to prevent any water/snow/ice from accumulating in the skimmer over the winter by-
*lowering the water level a few inches below the skimmer at closing
Or
* using a skimmer plug or plate inside the pool
& one of these options


* leaving the plumbing off of the skimmer & the valve open so if something does get in there it can run out

* using a gizmo or plastic jug in the skimmer to protect it if ice forms (so the jug/gizmo gets crushed instead of it breaking the skimmer

 

[VinnyinNJ]

Winterizing is something most pool stores don't go over because they want you to pay them to do it. All pipes, water and equipment that has the potential to freeze solid needs to be addressed.

We had our pool installed in August last year and the pool store plumbed the filter. They left 6 to 8 ft (1.5 to 2.5 m) of pipe without any way to winterize it. After we closed the pool we put unions on anything the should be taken apart. Even the pump to filter housing was a solid pipe.

Our old skimmer had a solid plate that I would put on in the fall, I took 6 screws off the skimmer, put this plate with rubber gasket on and screwed it in with slightly longer screws. Our new skimmer has an Aquador (I think ) that's like a Tupperware lid. I had the installers put that on instead of the factory skimmer face plate.

Hopefully the pool store will be helpful and resolve the issues.

 

[jenj0k]

Hi guys thank you all for your reply. Would definitely follow your suggestions when closing it this year. The pool company will change the skimmer, and the bowing of the wall around the skimmer resolved itself. Pool company said water pushed it back in. Now since snow is melting fast I see that the bottom of the pool wall has a bulge. and you will see the gap between the wall and the pole. Is it when they installed it they didnt level it properly or the railings? this was just installed last June by the pool company.

What might have caused this? can this be fixed without emptying the pool? i had water delivered when we filled it up for the first time last year and its expensive.

 

[Mdragger88]

It could definitely be a high spot there now - could be from install or more likely from the ground heaving over winter since it wasn’t like that before. The good news is that the wall appears to still be firmly in the bottom track so hopefully it will settle back down as things thaw. Just keep an eye on it for now.
Hard frosts are unpredictable. The only thing you can really do to prevent frost heave around the pool is to have effective drainage in place that diverts as much water as possible away from the pool area. Even if you do everything right frost heave can still occur in a harsh winter climate.

 

[jenj0k]

Thank you for your insights!
Im having sleepless nights on this as the pool was installed last June and its first winter. I was worried that it will get worse and costs that will come with it.
I will call the pool company soon with all the info i have im informed on what to do and what to expect. Thanks again

 

[jenj0k]

Hey guys i spoke with the pool company and they told me to make a warranty claim from the pool wall manufacturer. Said its either free or on minimal cost. Its the pool’s first winter. We saved for 4 years for it now with all these things im stressed as we might not be able to afford repair. Company also said i might have to empty pool (cost $800 for water delivery, we are on a well we cant fill it up) and replace liner too where i can claim it again from the manufacturer ( i dont know how coz its not a defect but thats what the company told me) I asked him can this be from installation or leveling of the ground as it was both done by them. But he said no its the weathet.

can this be repaired? what should i do? Does pool installation service offers repairs? Im really lost and stressed. and if repaired how can i make sure it will not happen again. (that side of the pool has slope thinking water is draining from there) Please help

 

[Mdragger88]

Generally winter damage is excluded from most above ground pool warranties. You would need to call the manufacturer/check your paperwork to know for sure.
Some people have had luck filing a claim with their homeowners insurance- it just depends on the insurer & your policy so you may want to inquire about that.
As far as preventing frost heave damage the best you can do is ensure that all water drains away from the pool area so the ground isn’t saturated when freezing weather occurs. That may mean adding a french drain or taking other measures to divert water from the area if there’s a slope involved.

 

[jenj0k]

Generally winter damage is excluded from most above ground pool warranties. You would need to call the manufacturer/check your paperwork to know for sure.
Some people have had luck filing a claim with their homeowners insurance- it just depends on the insurer & your policy so you may want to inquire about that.
As far as preventing frost heave damage the best you can do is ensure that all water drains away from the pool area so the ground isn’t saturated when freezing weather occurs. That may mean adding a french drain or taking other measures to divert water from the area if there’s a slope involved.

Is it dangerous? Can i just leave it like that? And fix when i change liner or needed to empty the pool? I read somewhere to just remove some dirt under the tracks as it looks like a high point created it.

 

[Mdragger88]

It doesn’t look dangerous since it’s not creased & the wall is still well in the bottom track.
It is possible that the high spot created by the frost heave will go back down on its own once the ground is completely thawed. I don’t think I would mess with it.
Just watch it & if it gets worse you may need to do something. Fix the plumbing & winterized properly next time.
If the pool people closed your pool & didn’t winterize it properly (as I went over in post#3) they should repair the skimmer for you.

 

[jenj0k]

Hi guys, i posted my question a while back about my above ground pool 21” that buckled on the wall where the skimmer is. I was worried about safety of using it as pool company is saying i need to change the wall and liner (cannot be used again when we drain the pool) on top of the water delivery. It will cost a lot. Our pool is only 10months old. Installed June 2022. Most of the answers I got that it is safe as wall is still on the bottom track and buckle is not that big. Which im very relieved to hear. I used stonedust around the pool before i put in the rocks and im thinking the snow heaving is my fault because of the stone dust however i check the 2 more wall (just saw it today) with a very slight buckle and there was no stone dust. (I guess i only put it where the skimmer is because when we play on the pool water overflows at the top of the skimmer.) I read somewhere thatvi can just remove some dust underneath the track but im scared to do that as it might result to a bigger problem. Also I dont know if the ground is completely thawed and it will just stay that way. I live in Quebec at nights its still around 3c here.

Just out of curiousity does any of you still use your aboveground pool even with a buckle? I attached the pictures of the buckle where the skimmer is and the 2 slight buckle.


Thanks guys

 

[Bperry]

Hi guys, i posted my question a while back about my above ground pool 21” that buckled on the wall where the skimmer is. I was worried about safety of using it as pool company is saying i need to change the wall and liner (cannot be used again when we drain the pool) on top of the water delivery. It will cost a lot. Our pool is only 10months old. Installed June 2022. Most of the answers I got that it is safe as wall is still on the bottom track and buckle is not that big. Which im very relieved to hear. I used stonedust around the pool before i put in the rocks and im thinking the snow heaving is my fault because of the stone dust however i check the 2 more wall (just saw it today) with a very slight buckle and there was no stone dust. (I guess i only put it where the skimmer is because when we play on the pool water overflows at the top of the skimmer.) I read somewhere thatvi can just remove some dust underneath the track but im scared to do that as it might result to a bigger problem. Also I dont know if the ground is completely thawed and it will just stay that way. I live in Quebec at nights its still around 3c here.

Just out of curiousity does any of you still use your aboveground pool even with a buckle? I attached the pictures of the buckle where the skimmer is and the 2 slight buckle.


Thanks guys

That’s a buckle? I’m not seeing the problem.

 

[Casey]

There's nothing wrong here. Enjoy your pool.

 

[jenj0k]

There's nothing wrong here. Enjoy your pool.

Thank You! The pool Company keep saying i need to change wall and liner because of these buckles and since it is due to nature, cost will be out of my pocket. Said it is not stable anymore and not good to use. So im asking if other’s are using their agp even if its buckled. And so far a lot of people are telling me that its all good and just keep an eye on it. Does this also means we need to be careful when we are in the pool?
Thanks again Casey

 

[jenj0k]

That’s a buckle? I’m not seeing the problem.

Thank You! Its the bend/buckle (sorry its my first pool not very familiar with a lot of things ) at the bottom of the wall, i found it on 4 places but the most obvious one is the one where the skimmer is. Is this still safe to use? Im trying to come up with a decision if i should open it this summer or just keep it close as I cannot afford the changing of wall and liner that the pool company is telling me as it is no longer safe to use. Any tips? Please

 

[Bperry]

Thank You! Its the bend/buckle (sorry its my first pool not very familiar with a lot of things ) at the bottom of the wall, i found it on 4 places but the most obvious one is the one where the skimmer is. Is this still safe to use? Im trying to come up with a decision if i should open it this summer or just keep it close as I cannot afford the changing of wall and liner that the pool company is telling me as it is no longer safe to use. Any tips? Please

I really don’t see anything wrong with it. How much is is bowed? Did they say how “nature” caused it? The broken skimmer I get (can’t leave that with water in it), but the bottom of the panels slightly bowing? It looks like normal slight warping.

 

[Casey]

When we see slight buckling like this it indicates a high spot in the foundation/ground. It's really not bad. I've seen so much worse. The store probably just wants to make a quick stack off you.

 

[jenj0k]

I really don’t see anything wrong with it. How much is is bowed? Did they say how “nature” caused it? The broken skimmer I get (can’t leave that with water in it), but the bottom of the panels slightly bowing? It looks like normal slight warping.

Pool company said its frost heaving that created it. And even a small bend the pool is no longer safe to use and wall needs to be replaced also the liner since we cannot use it again. After a lot of you guys assured me its okay I told the pool company, im scheduling the opening of our pool. Its getting warmer and i dont want any algae (read it here ) this week its all 19-23 degrees C and sunny. Pool company told me before calling for pool opening I need to change the wall first (im using their service to open I want to learn but since they are replacing the broken skimmer for free I have to get their opening service) this wall has the most prominent bowing where the skimmer is.

 

[Casey]

Open the pool yourself and do the replacement. We can walk you through it all.