Winter Skimmer Plug

[whstoneman]

I have been seeing the winter skimmer plug that you insert in your skimmer hole to close up for winter. It appears the water level is not lowered and that pressure keeps the skimmer plug in place. This is suppose to eliminate the draining for winter.

Living in Tennessee and we do not have excessive winter temps but I do need to close my pool in the fall. Learned my expensive lesson one year when I kept the pump running which was fine...except the power went out for three days and the pump froze and needed to be replaced in the spring.

Are these plugs safe to use?

 

[Texas Splash]

I think you might be referring to one product called the "Gizmo". It's a very popular product for winter closing and protecting the skimmer/line.

 

[swimcmp]

We use skimmer plugs and have had excellent luck with them. You do need to put a gizmo in the skimmer itself.

 

[whstoneman]

I think you might be referring to one product called the "Gizmo". It's a very popular product for winter closing and protecting the skimmer/line.

Actually, I was referring to the skimmer box plug

 

[DebbieO]

My doughboy dealer gave me a good deal on the "plug" you have in your pic. Didn't work. I even put the skimmer cover over it and still had a pretty good water loss. Just takes a bit longer to lose all your water!

 

[NoTime]

My used pool came with an Aquadoor and it’s worked fine to keep water in the pool. (I do remove the hoses and pump)

 

[rajung]

I use that same plate for skimmer.
I also lower water level 6 inches below return and disc. all lines.
No gizmo in skimmer, just a 16 oz plastic water bottle filled half way with RV plumbing anti freeze.
Even with plate on skimmer, it will let water seep into skimmer some, not a total seal, its just foam against plastic.
We can get up to 30 to 60 inches of snow some winters and lots of rain so usually the water level returns mid way of skimmer opening before I open pool.
That's the reason for lowering so far and the plastic bottle incase water freezes in skimmer .

 

[mariane]

We do not use any plugs or skimmer covers.
We lower the water 6" below the skimmer and return outlet and remove the pipes below them. We leave them open to drain in case the water level gets up above the openings. But we have a solid cover and I don't think the water level ever gets that high, until the spring and then we don't worry about the water and a hard freeze. We reattach the pipes in the spring and then the water levels are not a problem.

 

[phonedave]

I try to keep as much water in my pool as I can.

So, I plug my return. I also put a plate over my skimmer.

My filter, SWG, and pump live in the shed in the winter, so the pipes are all open. I do zip tie hardware cloth over the ends I don't have critters building nests in them. (or hiding acorns)

Depending on the weather - how much snow or rain we get before I can remove it from the solid cover, I will open with more or less water in the pool come summer.

-dave

 

[crokett]

I was wondering about this plug also. I drain my pool to just below the level of the skimmer. I disconnect the SWG and pump and leave the pipes open. my issue in the past is rain getting on the cover raises the water level in the pool so it drains out and come spring after I remove the cover I've lost 6" if water. This year I have a snorkel in the return. I have something similar screwed into the threads in the skimmer basket and will cover the skimmer to keep rain from getting in. I was thinking this plug could be a backup.