Is a Gizmo really needed?

[anotherpyr]

I would use them unless you want to be checking the skimmers all winter long to make sure that water hasn't found a way in. I typically find water in mine every spring regardless of what I do to try to seal them up. I haven't tried the AquaDoors, which sound great, but only if I don't have to lower the water level. But the first question on my mind after seeing the AquaDoor ad was, "What prevents ice on the surface from popping the covers off?"

Basically the Gizmo compresses as the water freezes in order to prevent the expansion of the water as it solidifies from cracking the skimmer. Based on my experience it works. So weigh the cost of one versus replacing the skimmer. With an IG pool and a cement deck, I think I'll use gizmos even if I find a way to keep the skimmers high and dry every winter just in case.

But this is all based on my experience with an IG pool, so I can't open a drain to allow water out of the skimmers. The skimmer covers themselves are strong enough to stand on, but have a finger hole which will allow water in. To cover this I cut a piece of plastic larger than the cover and place it under the cover and then secure the cover in place.