Pool levelers

[monkeyratman]

Does anyone have experience with automatic pool levelers to maintain water level while away? I live in Houston so there it's about a 50/50 shot of coming back after 2 weeks in the summer to water levels over the top or bone dry skimmers. Thanks.

[Davenj]

I had an auto leveler installed when the pool was put in. It works well, when I backwash it comes on to refill pool. The overflow pipe drains off the water after heavy rains. I do turn it off now and again to check if the pool drops do to leaks. Have not had to use a hose to fill or pump it off. For winter I remove the valve (toilet float) and install a piece of pipe, return plug and blow the line out. Pour antifreeze in the pipe and tank, through in some pool noodles.

[steveinaz]

Auto fill is great--it's one less thing you have to worry about/maintain. Nothing more boring than watching a pool fill by hose.

[CarlD]

They actually do work, but work better on IGs than AGs. I haven't used mine in a couple of years.

The mechanism is very simple--it's virtually identical to the self-leveling shut-off in a toilet tank. You'll have to play with the adjustments to get it right.

What they don't show you in the slick ads is that you need a bag of sand that goes inside as a weight to hold it down.