Water collecting in skimmer despite skimmer cover

[st2022]

Hi everyone,

This is my second year with my above ground pool. Last year, drained below the return her for winterization. This year, I drained down to almost below the skimmer but used a skimmer cover to avoid draining all the way down. However now that we are getting freezing temps, I noticed an icicle coming out of the bottom piping of my skimmer basket. I guess my skimmer cover is leaking? The basket is not getting filled up but mainly because I am breaking the ice off and I think with daytime temps, it’s melting.

Any suggestions? I did reach in and push the cover up against the skimmer again. It seems to be sealed. I guess I either need to try a new cover or just drain down. Or hope I sealed it up more. Appreciate any help.

Oh and last year I used a gizmo. Not sure if I should put that in this year as I’m afraid it would just accumulate with water if it was plugged with the gizmo.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! You could try any of the above. The Gizmo is designed to for such purposes. Without the Gizmo, the drain will probably freeze closed anyway. If you're still unsure of which action to take, I would at a minimum get some pieces of cut-up pool/foam noodles and place them in the skimmer. You could also place a partially filled plastic jug in there. Any of those help to protect against freeze expansion should the exit line remain initially frozen and closed.

 

[st2022]

Welcome to TFP! You could try any of the above. The Gizmo is designed to for such purposes. Without the Gizmo, the drain will probably freeze closed anyway. If you're still unsure of which action to take, I would at a minimum get some pieces of cut-up pool/foam noodles and place them in the skimmer. You could also place a partially filled plastic jug in there. Any of those help to protect against freeze expansion should the exit line remain initially frozen and closed.

Thanks! Well the gizmo I have screws in so if that do that and water keeps leaking, it would just fill up. From that point I guess the gizmo would help when the freezing happens?

Just not sure what to do. I am hoping I resealed it but I’m not optimistic.

 

[Texas Splash]

I'll tag @Mdragger88 for second option.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

You're saying skimmer cover = are you referring to the plate that goes into the pool to seal the skimmer from the pool? If yes, is it an actual plate or something like a Tupperware lid (Aquador skimmer cover) ? If plate there should be a gasket between the plate and the skimmer frame. If this is the case you can try some pool lube on the rubber gasket. If it's the Aquador, it can be difficult to get it to snap on, this is my 2nd winter using it and I do struggle to get it seated tightly around - looks OK but I can feel it not exactly on correctly.

 

[Mdragger88]

I have a styrofoam skimmer plug - it just pushes in. Mine seems to be sealed but I intend to keep an eye on it. One trick I have seen is to soak it in warm water before installing so its as expanded as possible. This ship may have sailed if you’re already experiencing deep freezing.
If it fails I will just drain below the skimmer and sleep much better.
Are you sure that precipitation didn’t cause the water accumulation?
About the gizmo, you really want any water that gets in the skimmer to drain out but you also don’t want it to expand and freeze so its a toss up. I leave a little foam nerf football in my skimmer and leave the bottom open.

 

[st2022]

You're saying skimmer cover = are you referring to the plate that goes into the pool to seal the skimmer from the pool? If yes, is it an actual plate or something like a Tupperware lid (Aquador skimmer cover) ? If plate there should be a gasket between the plate and the skimmer frame. If this is the case you can try some pool lube on the rubber gasket. If it's the Aquador, it can be difficult to get it to snap on, this is my 2nd winter using it and I do struggle to get it seated tightly around - looks OK but I can feel it not exactly on correctly.

Exactly what I’m talking about. Here is the one I have. I just got home after a few hours being out and I didn’t see anymore ice or water collecting inside. At least nothing obvious. So maybe I got it sealed better? I hope!

But if the issues persists, I think you may be right and the issue is just how it’s sealing in my skimmer cross fingers! Either way I’m now also still wondering if I should in fact put the gizmo in again or keep everything open.

 

[st2022]

I have a styrofoam skimmer plug - it just pushes in. Mine seems to be sealed but I intend to keep an eye on it. One trick I have seen is to soak it in warm water before installing so its as expanded as possible. This ship may have sailed if you’re already experiencing deep freezing.
If it fails I will just drain below the skimmer and sleep much better.
Are you sure that precipitation didn’t cause the water accumulation?
About the gizmo, you really want any water that gets in the skimmer to drain out but you also don’t want it to expand and freeze so its a toss up. I leave a little foam nerf football in my skimmer and leave the bottom open.

Appreciate the info! My skimmer cover sounds just like yours. It’s definitely like a foam material attached to a plastic piece.

Weather is still relatively mild. I’m in Maryland with freezing temps at night but generally in the 40s during the day.

Good point about the gizmo. That’s why I left it out this year. Couldn’t I technically just throw it in there without plugging it in?

 

[richierich]

I was literally about to post the same thing. I'm using the aquador for the last maybe 7 years and never had a problem. This year for the first time my skimmer box is half filled with ice and there's a huge icicle from the bottom. I wonder if I didn't get it seated properly or perhaps all the rain accumulated on the pool cover and made the pool water rise and moved the tupperware cover around. I have to wait until it thaws tomorrow and will drain my pool even further down and try to readjust the aquador.... I am going to put some cut up pool noodles in the skimmer.

Question though. Do you put the cut up pool noodles in the skimmer box and where the water drains out. Like say a few pieces in each spot. Wasn't sure how big or what configuration people use for this

 

[Texas Splash]

Do you put the cut up pool noodles in the skimmer box and where the water drains out. Like say a few pieces in each spot. Wasn't sure how big or what configuration people use for this

Just place them in the skimmer box itself. Don't try to plug the drain hole. A few pieces of foam noodles about 6"-8" long to help absorb any potential freeze expansion. Some people use a one liter plastic bottle filled up half way with pool/RV antifreeze to help it stay submerged a bit.

 

[Texas Splash]

Here's another technique though.

 

[Newdude]

So I couldn't understand this one until we moved and inherited an above ground. I bought skimmer mouth plate (rubber gasket) and the skimmer filled with water in a few minutes.

The 17 year old skimmer was warped due to UV and the new plate was perfectly square and plumb.

It will still be of value. It will stop the ice rink from grabbing hold of the inside of the skimmer, which may save your wall if the ice shifts as it melts.

Use the gizzmo secured to the pipe for the water in the skimmer. If unsecured, the gizzmo will otherwise float and be of no use. (I use gizmos and pool noodles, but either works by itself)

 

[st2022]

Well, no ice this morning! I guess I was able to reseal the skimmer cover. I will continue to monitor closely but very relieved to see this. Like was mentioned above, I’m guessing it just got shifted ever so slightly potentially from water accumulating inside pool or just even maybe with the temperature changes? Who knows.

Can anyone share what they would do with the gizmo? I like the idea of keeping my skimmer valve open and allowing any potential water to run through. Can I just toss the gizmo in the basket unscrewed? Or is there something else I should try? Also, do you guys leave the little flap thing down or pushed up?

 

[Newdude]

Can I just toss the gizmo in the basket unscrewed

If unsecured, the gizzmo will otherwise float and be of no use.

Also, the gizzmo is only needed if water gets in the skimmer, so with the wall opening properly sealed, it's redundant. Plus, any future icicles will let you know it's leaking again.

or just even maybe with the temperature changes?

 

[VinnyinNJ]

Exactly what I’m talking about. Here is the one I have. I just got home after a few hours being out and I didn’t see anymore ice or water collecting inside. At least nothing obvious. So maybe I got it sealed better? I hope!

But if the issues persists, I think you may be right and the issue is just how it’s sealing in my skimmer cross fingers! Either way I’m now also still wondering if I should in fact put the gizmo in again or keep everything open.

I'm not up on everything pool related but I've never seen a skimmer cover like that. When I bought my new pool the pool store gave me a wide mouth skimmer and the only thing I could find to close the opening into the pool was the Aquador https://www.amazon.com/Aquador-Wide...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1 My old pool has a skimmer with a small, squarish opening and I had a plastic plate with a rubber gasket that I screwed onto the skimmer to seal off the pool.

I never used a gizmo and any water from Mother Nature would just empty out of the bottom of the skimmer. I would clean up any leaves that made their way into the skimmer but never needed to worry about too much water.

 

[Mdragger88]

Can I just toss the gizmo in the basket unscrewed?

You can but it will probably float - I would just leave it out.

Or is there something else I should try? Also, do you guys leave the little flap thing down or pushed up?

The weir door should be removed for winter. And your pressure gauge too if you haven’t. (Many people overlook this)
Also, if you have to remove the plate again you can try putting some pool lube all around the edges of the foam to help ensure a seal when reinstalling.

 

[st2022]

Well I’m back. Icicle again coming out of the skimmer exit hole. Guessing water leaked around my skimmer plate again. Water inside pool is frozen so there’s no pushing in the plate again like it worked last time.

What do I do? I just threw in my gizmo from last year. Not screwed in. Just laying inside basket. Really appreciate any help. I’m stressing likely crazy.

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes !
You can add some pool noodles for extra reassurance. Is the bottom open? If not then disconnect whatever is attached

 

[st2022]

Yes !
You can add some pool noodles for extra reassurance. Is the bottom open? If not then disconnect whatever is attached

thank you for your response! Yes, it is opened at the bottom. All plumbing lines disconnected.