Closing my ag pool soon. It seems as though my return is very low on the side of the pool. Lowering the water to 6" below my lowest opening requires me to drain a lot of water. As a result, the cover ends up very low in the pool...and loose when it gets windy. Can I get away with draining below the skimmer and allowing the water level to still be above the return? Or will the cold/freezing cause damage?
Closing above ground pool
- Thread starter Steve Norman
- Start date
Yes you may. Plug the return and remove the pipes from the outside. Lowering the water below the returns was mostly for blowing out the pipes on an inground pool before they came out with valve plugs that you didn’t have to lower the water for. Your pipes are removable (and empty-able) so long as you can plug the return.
I bought a new skimmer this year. I don’t think the aquadoor fits. So should I lower the water below the skimmer, or find a proper fitting aquador? Thanks.
I was *just* gonna mention that. Either way works. I am moving and will be closing a semi inground at the new place and I plan on getting the skimmer plug and not lowering. But if the wrong one comes or the right one isn’t available then I’ll drain below the skimmer.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,023
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I vote Definitely below the skimmer- people have mixed results w/ the skimmer covers. I would not want to solely depend on one in a cold area.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,023
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
My pool has 2 returns - 1 right below the skimmer height & 1 a foot from the bottom.
I drain below the first one & plug them both then put those faucet covers on the outside after i remove the plumbing
I drain below the first one & plug them both then put those faucet covers on the outside after i remove the plumbing
It hasn't rained here for quite some time and my water is really low as is (I hate to think I have ADD water right now, just to make sure the pump doesn't work too hard!) b/c I forgot I should SLAM before adding the Poly 60. But, I am going to try the plug for the return and skimmer plate this year to hopefully save wasting water and having to refill too much. I think after the Poly has been in/cycled for at least a day or two, I'll do one last vacuum to waste to get the level at least to the skimmer line. Fingers crossed!
I use the aquador and a return plug. On the years that I used a solid cover I didn't lower my water level. I would just drain the water from the cover. That kind of got annoying when it would mix with a million leaves. So I switched to a micromesh cover that lets in only rain water and keeps leaves out. Since a lot of rainwater then comes into the pool, that's why I drain in the fall and by the time spring comes around my pool is roughly back to the same level.
But either way I would always plug the return and the skimmer
But either way I would always plug the return and the skimmer
Can I ask what type of plugs you use? I just bought this for my skimmer:
Amazon.com : Above Ground Swimming Pool Wide Mouth Skimmer Plug Fits Hayward SP1091WM : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : Above Ground Swimming Pool Wide Mouth Skimmer Plug Fits Hayward SP1091WM : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
But I keep seeing "aquador" now and I'm not sure if I need something in addition to the above or if it's just the best brand?
Then for my return, I bought this:
Amazon.com: Hayward SP1022C Receptacles Vacuum Fittings for Concrete Pools with O-Ring : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com: Hayward SP1022C Receptacles Vacuum Fittings for Concrete Pools with O-Ring : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
But I'm also seeing people recommend something more like this and I'm not really sure which is better/what the difference is.
Amazon.com: Aquatix Pro Pool Winterizing Plug Premium 1.5" to 2" Swimming Pool Winter Expansion Plugs with SS Screw, Stainless Steel Bolts, Heavy Duty Rubber, Protect Your Equipment Today!: Garden & Outdoor
Amazon.com: Aquatix Pro Pool Winterizing Plug Premium 1.5" to 2" Swimming Pool Winter Expansion Plugs with SS Screw, Stainless Steel Bolts, Heavy Duty Rubber, Protect Your Equipment Today!: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,023
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Aquador Widemouth Above Ground Pool Skimmer Cover Kit Model 1010 Amazon.com : Aquador Widemouth Above Ground Pool Skimmer Cover Kit Model 1010 : Swimming Pool Skimmers : Garden & Outdoor
Its like a tupperware lid that has its own faceplate that u replace yours with. It snaps on.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,023
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Those plugs should fit - I believe mine are
1 1/2” - just unscrew the jet eyeball & screw those in.
1 1/2” - just unscrew the jet eyeball & screw those in.
You can make a skimmer dam (aqua door) by cutting a sheet of rigid foam insulation. Measure your skimmer mouth and cut the sheet to fit snug in the skimmer mouth,
Keep the bottom port of your skimmer opened if you use plugs though so any overflow can escape
I personally use the eliminator winter cover system which includes a skimmer plug and a plug for the eyeball. I have a shutoff at the eye and use that instead.
Keep the bottom port of your skimmer opened if you use plugs though so any overflow can escape
I personally use the eliminator winter cover system which includes a skimmer plug and a plug for the eyeball. I have a shutoff at the eye and use that instead.