Closing the above ground pool - another year another problem!

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Don2222

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Feb 1, 2010
9,122
Salem NH
Hello
1st Issue
Every year it got harder and harder to tighten the screws to the skimmer cover and this year it still kept leaking!
What is the fix?
They have the new covers that just fit in with no screws and the instructions say to keep checking it?
I probably need a new gasket but even the new gaskets are hard to tighten up.
However this year a heard about Pool lube!
So I picked some up for $10 and bingo!
I can still use the old gasket and not get a cramp in my hand from trying to tighten the screws too hard!!
2nd issue
The pool filter return plug.
I had a nice screw on cap with a cork gasket, it would just screw over the threads that the eye and ring used. Just remove the eye and ring and screw on the cap. I lost it. :-(
So I went to a few pool supply store and all they had was:
1. The rubber plug with the wing nut
Or
2. The threaded plug with O-Ring
No matter which one you use, you must remove the treaded piece that the plastic o ring screws on with a special removal tool!
Of course I tried removing this piece with the tool and I could not budge it!
So I asked the lady about the simple eye ball jet cover cap that just screws on like the original one I lost? She said the store did not get them this year!
Therefore I just got a couple from the Internet! Now I think I know why the stores do not have them! There is no cork gasket, so when I screwed it on, it leaked! Drip drip drip! Ahrgg!!
So I cut a round 1/8” piece of high temp silicone and used the pool lube! Screwed the cap on and Bingo No Leaks!!
Anyone else have these problems!!

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No, because I drain the water to 4-5" below the skimmer (this coming Saturday..). That's what my pool store advises.
 
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Here is a video on the new skimmer plug cover that has no screws, does it hold?
Also the filter screw in plug that I could not use because I could not unscrew the piece with the tool so this plug can screw in.
 
Well it was not over yet! That white skimmer gasket was so old and brittle the pool lube could not save it. It still leaked just a little bit! So it came off in pieces and I lubed up a new one and cranked that in and Bingo no leaks!

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