Skimmer plug?

[moriskod]

I would recommend some kind of "gizmo" in your skimmer even if you cover it from pool side. It is just a good insurance policy to have something that will take pressure if water were to leak into the skimmer somehow! I drain my skimmer completely and pour a little anti-freeze down the line (after blow out) before I put in the gizmo. Cheap insurance for what mother nature might dish out!

[alapool]

I just use an empty milk jug and fill it about 1/3 of the way the weight it down. Then I put the skimmer cover back on. This works the same way as the gizmo thing.