Are you supposed to remove the skimmer box when closing?

[LynnDi]

First time closing my new above ground pool. I'm here in New York, temps definitely get down to freezing. I have a huge pre-filter skimmer box - am I supposed to remove it when I close? I feel like it would fill up with snow and get really heavy and push against the pool. I have the cap but there's the little hole in the center.

Here's the best pic I could find online.



Should I try to remove it?

 

[domct203]

I would make sure it is completely empty of water, then cover it separately from the pool. A small garbage bag and a bungie cord or two should do the trick.

I recommend you do not remove it from the pool. The liner would most likely shift/stretch and either tear from the cold weather induced brittleness, or not line up properly with the opening in the spring and cause more grief than needed.