Closing Question - Aqua Cover(skimmer)

[poolrx]

But I thought that if there's water in the skimmer, when it freezes you're SOL. Can you use a gizmo AND a skimmer cover? I've only ever used gizmos/draining method. If using the cover in addition is a good thing, I'll def get a set.

The cover(Aquador) goes on the inside of the pool. You would have to change your skimmer face plate to use it. May be best to do in the spring since your water level is below the skimmer from winterizing. Do a search under Aquador/pool. I actually raise my water level with it so that in the spring I just have to hook up the filter, remove the Aquador cover and return plug and the pool is ready to go.

[tara15]

I just bought one at the pool store myself. the pool store person told me that you lower the water below the skimmer, change the faceplate, put the cover on the skimmer and raise the water back up. That way you wont get any water in the skimmer to freeze over the winter. I havent tried it myself yet as i plan to close in a few weeks.

[Watermom]

Why would you want to raise the water level back up for closing? Why not just wait until spring? If the idea of using the cover is so you don't have to lower the water level, but you have to lower the water level to install it --- what am I missing here?

[tara15]

the reason they told me to raise the water level back up was so that i wasnt damaging the liner, but im no expert. You guys certainly have much more experience that me so im listening for suggestions.

[Watermom]

Lowering the water level below the skimmer will not hurt the liner. And, if you have to lower the water level below the skimmer to install the thing, then you don't need it because once the water level is below the skimmer, your skimmer is not in danger of being damaged anyways. Damage occurs whenever there is water in the skimmer that freezes.

Is this cover something that is installed every fall and then removed every spring? If it were me, I'd take it back and save my money. Just lowering the water level below the skimmer and returns is sufficient to keep anything from being damaged. Just my opinion.

[waste]

Good morning all. Aqua doors are nice, but not essential for most pool owners (the people who should seriously consider one are those with fill water issues - metals etc in well water or people with shallow wells that can't handle refilling the pool without running the well dry).
On installation: I would change the faceplate with the water up, draining and then refilling is silly. Watermom, the faceplate change is a one time deal, the new faceplate has a ridge on the outside edge to hold the platic Aquadooor securely in place to prevent pool water from entering the skimmer, it's the plastic door that is installed in the fall and removed in the spring.
The nice thing about an aquadoor is that the skimmer stays dry all winter, no water = no ice to expand and crack the skimmer. However, I would still use a skimmer freeze protecter (Gizzmo), just in case the door failed or water seeped in through the lid.
On the topic of Gizzmos, they make a blowthrough one that allows you to vacate the skimmer line without draining the pool (other companies make similar units, but the ones I've seen have a major flaw, they don't have a sealed tube running through the center, so, if the unit does it's job and gets crushed a thaw will allow water to enter the skimmer line and a subsequent refreeze could damage the line - similarly, some off brand Gizzmos havr a hole in the bottom of them and are subject to the same problem)
I would use an aquadoor, at least 1/2 gal antifreeze in the line, and a Gizzmo - redundant, yes, but a lot cheeper than installing a new skimmer or replacing a ruptured line. Just my $.02
EDIT This is for IG pools (mostly) - AG pools can be left open, unless there's fill water problems.

[anotherpyr]

Just lowering the water level below the skimmer and returns is sufficient to keep anything from being damaged. Just my opinion.

I think it is a function of the cover type used. If you use a mesh or semi mesh safety cover that allows water into the pool, there is always the remote chance that a really wet fall/winter could raise the water level enough. But then I tend to be overly cautious.

[CoffeeBean]

I bought an AquaDoor last year. I had trouble getting my face plate on with the water up. Admittedly I was trying to do it hanging upside down from my AG deck but still... The water seemed to keep it from sealing.

So I drained it below the vacuum port. I still had to use a rubber mallet to get it to go on. I didn't know about using lubricant.

I just didn't get the point of having the door if I had to lower the water level anyway. With no water and having removed the hose from the skimmer I couldn't see the point of a gizmo either. But someone on the forum once mentioned using styrofoam balls so I did that although logically it didn't make sense either.

Lest you all think I'm odd, since I'm not all that comfortable with the care and keeping of such a huge investment, I tend to over compensate I guess.

This spring I couldn't get the thing off. I finally had to use a screw driver and prayed that my hand was steady, I didn't ram it through the pool wall or drop the thing into the liner bed.

I'm gonna get an ulcer yet trying to do everything "right".

CoffeeBean

[poolrx]

Lowering the water level below the skimmer will not hurt the liner. And, if you have to lower the water level below the skimmer to install the thing, then you don't need it because once the water level is below the skimmer, your skimmer is not in danger of being damaged anyways. Damage occurs whenever there is water in the skimmer that freezes.

Is this cover something that is installed every fall and then removed every spring? If it were me, I'd take it back and save my money. Just lowering the water level below the skimmer and returns is sufficient to keep anything from being damaged. Just my opinion.

Watermom, In an AGP(don't know if they make one for IGP?)situation the Aquador prevents you from wasting 4-6 inches of treated water every fall and having to replace it with untreated water in the spring. Depending on the size of the pool that could amount to hundreds of gallons of water. If the cover did seep it still would cause no damage b/c the hose to the filter is removed and the water would drip out the bottom of the skimmer. Lowering the water level would be a one time deal to install the new face plate. After that you would no longer need to drop the level. Once spring comes, hook up filter, remove cover and plug from return inlet and turn on filter, add some chemicals and you are ready to swim It really is a great little item, IMO.

Joe

[KirstenHW]

I am looking at the Gizzmo online (http://gizzmo.net/index2.html) and it says that they are only supposed to be used for one season - I have had the same one for 20 years. What is the consensus here? And is the ultra gizzmo with the blow-out tube worth getting? Thanks -