AG Freeze Damage

[ElleM]

I just saw the posting section for AB pools. I swear I looked and didn't see that yesterday. I should have posted in there.

Sorry!

[CarlD]

When you put in the pool did you get a building permit? Did you get a rider for your pool on your insurance?

If the answer is "no" to either of those that's why State Farm said it was an exclusion. If you had a building permit but no rider, S/F will probably still extend LIABILITY for damage caused by your pool, but that' s different.

That's why I tell people here to ALWAYS build according to code or their liability insurance is non-existent.

I'm going to call S/F to make sure my coverage is complete--but I did get the permits.

[ElleM]

When you put in the pool did you get a building permit? Did you get a rider for your pool on your insurance?

If the answer is "no" to either of those that's why State Farm said it was an exclusion. If you had a building permit but no rider, S/F will probably still extend LIABILITY for damage caused by your pool, but that' s different.

That's why I tell people here to ALWAYS build according to code or their liability insurance is non-existent.

I'm going to call S/F to make sure my coverage is complete--but I did get the permits.

My husband is on our local zoning board so, the answer is, yes, we did get a permit, and yes, everything was built to code. I even had to have a master electrician come out inspect the electrical connections.

This is what State Farm told me...above ground pools used to be covered by regular homeowners insurance under the accessory structures part. There was no addendum necessary. Now, they don't cover above ground pools at all, and they don't offer any a rider or additional insurance for them that you can add to your regular policy. In fact, when I asked them how to insure an above ground pool, they told me I should call a pool dealer and see if they offer anything.

They no longer cover ice, wind, rain, storm damage to above ground pools, awnings, etc. because they aren't considered permanent structures.

Liability (if someone gets hurt in the pool) is covered.

Let me know what your agent tells you. I'm curious if mine is giving me the run around or even if State Farm insurance differs from state to state.

[Poconos]

Hi again,
I use a gizmo to plug the skimmer pipe, then I pack pieces of eccofpam into the skimmer itself. Eccofoam is the closed cell foam that pool noodles are made from. Unlike styrofoam which shreds. Theoretically the gizmo should take care of expansion but I add the additional foam as insurance. I cut a rectangular block of the foam, probably 3" thick, that fits snugly in the opening. It's not an attempt to keep water out but rather to kind of make the pool wall continuous around the skimmer area so if the ice block moves a little there is no force at the skimmer. It extends past the skimmer face maybe an inch.
Just a quick calculation, for your 21' pool, if the ice is 12" thick, that's about an 18000 pound block of ice. Concentrate part of that in one area and you have a scrunch.
Al
BTW: Yes...I'm in the far northeast corner of the state, maybe 20 miles northeast of Scranton. Been pretty cold here too.

[Waterworks]

I would also say that an ice block extending from inside the pool to the inside of the skimmer is probably to blame. To prevent this from happening we drain the water below the skimmer and completely cover the skimmer opening with duct tape, so that no water or ice can get into the skimmer. Then we put a styrofoam peice in the throat of the skimmer. We leave the plug out of the bottom of the skimmer and leave the hose from the skimmer unattached and open at the other end. This way, if water gets into the skimmer it will flow out the end of the hose, not allowing anything to freeze in the skimmer.

Many insurance companies in my neck of the woods still insure AG pools, some don't. I always recommend calling around to find one that does.

Brad
Waterworks Pools

[ElleM]

Thanks again for the replies.

I think the styrofoam is the way to go, and the eccofoam is a good idea,too. I have been using the gizmo only for years...but I don't think we've had a cold winter like this since I've had the pool.

It also makes sense to block the opening and leave the gizmo out entirely. If no water gets trapped in there it's not going to freeze either.