Decoy’s Above Ground Pool Saga

[Decoy205]

Have you measured the cover ? Manufacturers stretch the truth sometimes and the 24 might be 23.1. Then factor in the tent from the pillow and it could be on the verge of too small. I'd lose the pillows before I bought another cover.

It very well could be most/all covers. Shrinkflation has hit everything else, why not this too ?

Didn’t measure it as I was definitely just trying f to get it on last night before any more Crud fell in the water .

Based on last years cover it does seem about a foot less. Thought about removing the pillow too. I’ll take a pic and in a few.

 

[Decoy205]

Maybe not as bad as I thought? What do you all
Think?

Also how’s this for the skimmer? I have the valve open and the lid back on.

 

[Newdude]

OK that's alot better than I had in my head. The low water level is what got you, not the pillow. But the water is where it needs to be so it's the manufacturer cutting corners who is to blame.

I'd let it ride and go buy a 2pack of Cling wrap at BJs/costco/Sam's. Wrap the top edge with both of them ($8.99 insurance).

The skimmer looks great I taped my lid down because as the skimmer filled with water, the noodles wanted to float. It will help it on windy days too because you won't be looking at it nearly as often for the next 5 months.

 

[Decoy205]

OK that's alot better than I had in my head. The low water level is what got you, not the pillow. But the water is where it needs to be so it's the manufacturer cutting corners who is to blame.

I'd let it ride and go buy a 2pack of Cling wrap at BJs/costco/Sam's. Wrap the top edge with both of them ($8.99 insurance).

The skimmer looks great I taped my lid down because as the skimmer filled with water, the noodles wanted to float. It will help it on windy days too because you won't be looking at it nearly as often for the next 5 months.

Thanks dude! Yeah the water level is 2.5” below the skimmer and about 1.5 below the return. I saw how low it was going and clearly with this cover 2” below return would be worse. I’ll see if I can get the shrink wrap on there. I think if anything the cover would tear before the pool bends as long as the liner holds water.

 

[JoeSelf]

See if you can find cover clips. I had really good OLD ones that I cant find in stores now. They worked graet. I can't speak to the newer ones but you might give them a try.

 

[Decoy205]

Ah! I actually have some. I had to be careful last time because the corners on some almost tore the new cover when getting em on.

I was thinking of trying binder clips like mdragger suggested

 

[Decoy205]

My concern is more of the cover pulling on the pool walls since theses no slack for extra weight. I’m gonna get a pump for water and put the leaf cover on too. If I keep ir as clear as I can before the freeze I think I’ll be ok

 

[Newdude]

If I keep ir as clear as I can before the freeze I think I’ll be ok

That's all you have to do, even with a bigger cover when the time comes. If you start fresh when it freezes, you have a months(?) worth of accumulation to spare.

It will warm up for a few weeks, thaw, and you can start fresh for the next round.

 

[Decoy205]

Ok that’s going to be my goal then!! Appreciate all the input!

 

[Decoy205]

Got the pump today! Gotta get some of the leaves that fell on the cover out and then get the leaf cover on to set it up.

Also have to tape the skimmer closed.

 

[Mdragger88]

Tape?

 

[Newdude]

Tape?

I suggested he tape the skimmer lid down. My skimmer filled back with water, which made the pool noodles want to float, which popped the skimmer cover.

 

[Decoy205]

Yeah I’ve seen it also before in a closing video and I figure it will keep the hole on the top covered while also keeping the lid on.

 

[Mdragger88]

Gotcha-
My skimmer lid kinda locks in place - to prevent any water from getting into the finger hole & keep the top free of debris/ice etc. I put a tiny tarp around it with a bungee. This allows me to remove that & open the skimmer to see/reach inside the pool for a sample without having to undo my pool cover.

 

[Decoy205]

Mine locks too but I thought maybe some extra insurance. The tarp idea is good too. I tarp the filter with bunnies.

 

[Decoy205]

Got the leaf cover on and used the 2.4” jumbo binder clips to hold it on and make for easy removal. Great tip from @Mdragger88. Got the pump on top now. It pumped out the water from last Thursdays rain in minutes. Even though it’s automatic I unplugged it cuz I still feel weird about it . I’ve heard people sucking the water out of the pool accidentally so now I’m paranoid lol.

 

[Newdude]

I’ve heard people sucking the water out of the pool accidentally so now I’m paranoid lol.

One branch through the solid cover, or a cheapo solid cover thats not really all that solid gets waterlogged, and you'll be pumping the pool through the cover.

 

[Mdragger88]

with a brand new cover with no obvious holes that’s less of a risk- if you’re worried about it you can sit an upside down frisbee or a bucket lid under the pump to prevent such an issue.
Got my covers on yesterday too

 

[Decoy205]

with a brand new cover with no obvious holes that’s less of a risk- if you’re worried about it you can sit an upside down frisbee or a bucket lid under the pump to prevent such an issue.
Got my covers on yesterday too

Right? It’s brand new so it should be good. I like the bucket lid or frisbe idea!

 

[Mdragger88]

My cover is new this year too so hopefully it’s good as well. I deployed it in the rain with my two “apprentices” so we didn’t inspect it real thoroughly. Fingers crossed it does well!