Freezing water level

[RHanna]

This is the first year that I've closed my pool and I did it myself.
The water level is still going through the skimmer opening and I have a gizzmo inside the skimmer. I'm worried about the whole top layer freezing and damaging the skimmer opening. Is this something I should worry about? Should I drain below the skimmer, then do I worry about the return lines?

 

[Texas Splash]

By closing you mean you already blew-out the lines correct? Then installed winterized plugs in the returns along with that Gizmo in the skimmer? If so, then you should be fine. The Gizmo's job is to protect the skimmer from cracking due to potential expanding water/ice, but if you still have some old pool noodles you can toss a few cut-up pieces in there as well. If you still have questions, the link below should help.

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[vtpools]

You can put an empty antifreeze bottle or pool noodles in there. Generally not something to worry about. Why would you worry about the return lines if you drain below the skimmer?

 

[mariane]

You can put an empty antifreeze bottle or pool noodles in there. Generally not something to worry about. Why would you worry about the return lines if you drain below the skimmer?

It looks like in the original post they did not drain below the skimmer.

 

[RHanna]

By closing you mean you already blew-out the lines correct? Then installed winterized plugs in the returns along with that Gizmo in the skimmer? If so, then you should be fine. The Gizmo's job is to protect the skimmer from cracking due to potential expanding water/ice, but if you still have some old pool noodles you can toss a few cut-up pieces in there as well. If you still have questions, the link below should help.

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

I blew out the return lines and the line going from the skimmer and winterized all the equipment. I used the plugs that let water and air escape while the cyclone is blowing and then automatically plug when I turn off the blower. I used a gizzmo in the skimmer basket.

I guess I was just paranoid about the top layer of the water causing damage to the skimmer entrance or if the water line was close to the return plugs. What kind of damage could ice do.

 

[Texas Splash]

Sounds like you did a nice job closing. Since the Gizmo is designed to absorb the pressure exerted by water freezing in a confined space, so you should be fine. If you wish to place some pieces of cut-up pool noodles as additional insurance, that is an option as well.