Excellent, informative video. Thank you. I learned that I've been putting my cable through the ratchet wrong for years now lol. 😅 My cable tightens down just fine. I've been running both sides in the same direction through all 3 ratchet holes together, then pulling all the excess cable out the end hole before tightening it up. My method has been working well, and I've not lost a cover off the pool yet. Im going to try it the way in the video this time and see what happens. Live and learn. 😅
My above ground pool had a leak few years ago so I tried diving to find it and couldn't so what I did was pump out water down to about one foot above where the side liner seam is bonded to the bottom liner (as long as your water level stays ABOVE that CRITICAL SEAM JUNCTION while you do this you will not harm a vinyl liner) Then I was able to go around on my hands and knees and found the hole easily! I patched it with Water Bed Repair patch kit I got at pool supply store then refilled pool and balanced chemicals, all good to go then! You just don't want to hit the patch with Vacuum or anything it was a foot away from the side in area I don't go by so I don't walk on patch either.
You only need to drain below the skimmer/return if you are not using an Aquador and a return plug. These items are mentioned in the video 9 minutes and 25 seconds into the video. Hope that helps!
No, not at all. Its actually better to put extra water in almost to the top of skimmer faceplate. Makes it easier to get the cover off. And best practice is to skip the pillow and buy a pump with a shut off float ring. Water collecting on yer cover will push the good water outta the pool. Pillows usually deflate or move to one side. Cover pump that comes on by itself is the best solution to keep your good water in the pool.
We recommend installing an Aquador which is like a Tupperware lid for your skimmer opening. This prevents the need to drain the water down and allows your winter cover to fit more securely.
@@zagerspoolspa I have an Aquadoor. I learned that even with that, unless you drain it below the skimmer, it still leaks. The Aquadoor never made a perfect seal.
I usely just drain my water below the return,then throw a winter cover on top disconnect the hoses take the pump in and loosen the drain plug on the sand filter then wrap it up with a tarp,but was wondering what does them blue water tubes do, and do I need to use the winter pillow,on the winter cover on the eye holes I hook a bungee cord and hook it to a jug of water to hold the cover down,I do that all the way around.
The blue water tubes are a much safer alternative to hanging jugs around the exterior wall of your pool. The tubes rest on top of the pool nestled against the wall perimeter to ensure the cover stays on when there are heavy winds/storms without creating any damage to the wall, cover, or top rail. As for the winter pillow, it absorbs the pressure of your freezing and thawing pool water. It protects the cover and walls of your pool. When your pool water freezes, the pillow compresses to relieve pressure on the walls. Hope this helps!
The pillow needs to be in the center of the pool to be most effective. So if the pillow has drifted to one side it would be helpful to try to reattach / reposition it in the center, if possible. You can hire a professional to help.
Any tips for adding a cover on a pool with a deck surrounding part of the pool? The deck comes up to the top parts of the pool so the cover can’t be draped over. Thanks!
if the deck is coming up tight to the pool top rails you will either need to trim back the boards a 1" or so to be able to feed the cover down the side of the pool. That is the best thing to do. Or you can get a bigger covers and just use cover loc's where you can and then double water tubes up on the deck and watch it over the winter to make sure it is not slipping in. Cutting back is the best option unfortunately.
If you have 2 people 1 can crawl under the deck n 1 on top... use a flat nail bar to pry deck up n guy under pulls cover down... not good for cover but if yer deck is built that way... Another trick is using an oversized cover n lay it over the deck. Roll the edges around some thin wood or plastic strips and screw thos to the deck. Not good for the cover... or the deck... but if yer deck is built wrong...
Great question! Actually, bonding your pump was not a regulation when this video was made...but now it is! So yes, you'll want to disconnect the copper wire before taking the pump inside.
Hystat, what size is your pool. Mine is 16x24. Would the 15x32 work? I was on the website check in for the dimensions so I’m not sure if the 15 x 32 would work for my 16 x 24.
Hi ! I have a 21”x 48 round pool, we close the pool exactly as you did. I notice It’s leaking drops of water everyday from the skimmer and I can’t uncover because there’s a huge block of ice all over the pool cover. I was wondering if we lowered the water before closing , why is this leaking? Can’t tell the level of the water now. I’m very concern, if this keeps leaking the way it’s. Will the pool could empty at some point before I open it for the season in May? Do you think I could seal the door of the skimmer with any product now without uncovering the pool. Please Help.
Hi Monica, Thank you for your inquiry. Is the water dripping out of the bottom of the skimmer (where it connects to the hose to the summer)? Have you looked inside the skimmer to see if snow or slush has accumulated there and is now melting? This should be visible if the pool cover was put on correctly. If you answered yes to these questions, everything sounds fine. If the answer is no, please reply with more details and we will try to help :)
You need a cover and a leaf net dont hurt if you get leaves on the cover. The pillow is not necessary and usually makes gettin the cover off harder. Best thing to do is get a pump with a float ring to put on the cover over winter. It'll keep the cover pumped down but leave a little on it, which is a good thing. You can tell when a cover is bad when you open the pool IF you close it clear. If the waters green in spring its cuzza a bad cover. Either a hole letting light n dirty water in or its thin from age n letttin lite in.
You do not need to drain the water at all if you have an Aquador to seal off the opening to the skimmer. If you do not own this product, you'll need to lower the water an inch or two below the opening of the skimmer. There are certain inexpensive entry level above ground pools on the market that are best to disassemble at the end of the season. Check your owner's manual for their recommendation.
If you are in West Michigan, you can purchase them from us at Zagers. If not, we'd recommend doing a search for Gladon Cover Loc System to locate them in your area. Hope this helps!
@@shots2 Above Ground Pool design has not changed much over the years. We have installed cover locs on pools with steel rails, however, it's not possible to say for sure if these will work for your pool. We recommend asking your local pool company (and bringing pics of the pool).
It would depend on the caliber of the above ground pool. The type of pools that we carry (high quality steel, resin, hybrid) all allow the installation of winter plugs. However, there are more economical pools (ex., Intex) that should be disassembled each winter instead of being winterized.
Once the cover is on and the pool water temp drops due to winter, evaporation should not be an issue. If your water level decreases significantly, you most likely have a leak.
Lol you can’t shock and then vacuum not at least for a good 24 hours. Lol important, ppl do not shock your pool and then get in it, wait a good 24 hours before.
Excellent, informative video. Thank you. I learned that I've been putting my cable through the ratchet wrong for years now lol. 😅 My cable tightens down just fine. I've been running both sides in the same direction through all 3 ratchet holes together, then pulling all the excess cable out the end hole before tightening it up. My method has been working well, and I've not lost a cover off the pool yet.
Im going to try it the way in the video this time and see what happens. Live and learn. 😅
My above ground pool had a leak few years ago so I tried diving to find it and couldn't so what I did was pump out water down to about one foot above where the side liner seam is bonded to the bottom liner (as long as your water level stays ABOVE that CRITICAL SEAM JUNCTION while you do this you will not harm a vinyl liner) Then I was able to go around on my hands and knees and found the hole easily! I patched it with Water Bed Repair patch kit I got at pool supply store then refilled pool and balanced chemicals, all good to go then! You just don't want to hit the patch with Vacuum or anything it was a foot away from the side in area I don't go by so I don't walk on patch either.
This year was the 1st time I put silicone on the air pillow fill cap, closed mine today and did that.
Thanks Ryan
Nice video. Is it ok to leave water level high or should you drain below return & skimmer?
You only need to drain below the skimmer/return if you are not using an Aquador and a return plug. These items are mentioned in the video 9 minutes and 25 seconds into the video. Hope that helps!
Thanks thats what I thought you said
Great video.. in massachusetts.. why doesn't it turn into a huge block of ice..
The water will go over the edges of the wall but it does not damage at all. The water naturally do this anyway
For the above ground as long as you have no permanent lines under the ground for any reason no anti freeze. The pool itself will freeze up some
Are you running the pump when you add those chemicals?
Hi first time pool owner here from Massachusetts I thought you have to drain half the water out?
No, not at all. Its actually better to put extra water in almost to the top of skimmer faceplate. Makes it easier to get the cover off. And best practice is to skip the pillow and buy a pump with a shut off float ring. Water collecting on yer cover will push the good water outta the pool. Pillows usually deflate or move to one side. Cover pump that comes on by itself is the best solution to keep your good water in the pool.
We recommend installing an Aquador which is like a Tupperware lid for your skimmer opening. This prevents the need to drain the water down and allows your winter cover to fit more securely.
@@zagerspoolspa I have an Aquadoor. I learned that even with that, unless you drain it below the skimmer, it still leaks. The Aquadoor never made a perfect seal.
@@critterray6742 please provide details on this pump you speak of. Thanks
@@johnbe-good2076 I believe it's actually called a cover pump.
I usely just drain my water below the return,then throw a winter cover on top disconnect the hoses take the pump in and loosen the drain plug on the sand filter then wrap it up with a tarp,but was wondering what does them blue water tubes do, and do I need to use the winter pillow,on the winter cover on the eye holes I hook a bungee cord and hook it to a jug of water to hold the cover down,I do that all the way around.
The blue water tubes are a much safer alternative to hanging jugs around the exterior wall of your pool. The tubes rest on top of the pool nestled against the wall perimeter to ensure the cover stays on when there are heavy winds/storms without creating any damage to the wall, cover, or top rail. As for the winter pillow, it absorbs the pressure of your freezing and thawing pool water. It protects the cover and walls of your pool. When your pool water freezes, the pillow compresses to relieve pressure on the walls. Hope this helps!
@@zagerspoolspa thanks so much I definitely will have to get me the pillow and water tubes
Hello. Wind was getting under my cover and the pillow detached from the pillow pal. Should I pull the cover off half way and try to re attach it?
The pillow needs to be in the center of the pool to be most effective. So if the pillow has drifted to one side it would be helpful to try to reattach / reposition it in the center, if possible. You can hire a professional to help.
Any tips for adding a cover on a pool with a deck surrounding part of the pool? The deck comes up to the top parts of the pool so the cover can’t be draped over. Thanks!
if the deck is coming up tight to the pool top rails you will either need to trim back the boards a 1" or so to be able to feed the cover down the side of the pool. That is the best thing to do. Or you can get a bigger covers and just use cover loc's where you can and then double water tubes up on the deck and watch it over the winter to make sure it is not slipping in. Cutting back is the best option unfortunately.
Ryan Miedema thanks man, I had kicked around the idea of cutting back a bit, just like how it looks tucked underneath the top rails.
If you have 2 people 1 can crawl under the deck n 1 on top... use a flat nail bar to pry deck up n guy under pulls cover down... not good for cover but if yer deck is built that way...
Another trick is using an oversized cover n lay it over the deck. Roll the edges around some thin wood or plastic strips and screw thos to the deck. Not good for the cover... or the deck... but if yer deck is built wrong...
Why not drain below skimmer line?
What about disconnecting the grounding copper wire from the pump before taking inside or do not all pools have this?
Great question! Actually, bonding your pump was not a regulation when this video was made...but now it is! So yes, you'll want to disconnect the copper wire before taking the pump inside.
Wouldn’t vacuuming right after the shock suck up the granules?
I always clean before adding chemicals for that reason, especially if you vacuum to waste.
Hi, when adding in closing chemicals should the pump be on or off
The pump should always be running when you add winterizing chems to your pool so that they mix and disperse evenly into the water.
Hystat, what size is your pool. Mine is 16x24.
Would the 15x32 work? I was on the website check in for the dimensions so I’m not sure if the 15 x 32 would work for my 16 x 24.
Look at that plumb job!
Hi ! I have a 21”x 48 round pool, we close the pool exactly as you did. I notice It’s leaking drops of water everyday from the skimmer and I can’t uncover because there’s a huge block of ice all over the pool cover. I was wondering if we lowered the water before closing , why is this leaking? Can’t tell the level of the water now. I’m very concern, if this keeps leaking the way it’s. Will the pool could empty at some point before I open it for the season in May? Do you think I could seal the door of the skimmer with any product now without uncovering the pool. Please Help.
Hi Monica, Thank you for your inquiry. Is the water dripping out of the bottom of the skimmer (where it connects to the hose to the summer)? Have you looked inside the skimmer to see if snow or slush has accumulated there and is now melting? This should be visible if the pool cover was put on correctly. If you answered yes to these questions, everything sounds fine. If the answer is no, please reply with more details and we will try to help :)
Is the air pillow and cover loc necessary? I dont have those and trying to close my new pool
You need a cover and a leaf net dont hurt if you get leaves on the cover. The pillow is not necessary and usually makes gettin the cover off harder.
Best thing to do is get a pump with a float ring to put on the cover over winter. It'll keep the cover pumped down but leave a little on it, which is a good thing.
You can tell when a cover is bad when you open the pool IF you close it clear. If the waters green in spring its cuzza a bad cover. Either a hole letting light n dirty water in or its thin from age n letttin lite in.
Where can I get that plastic Tupperware type cover lid for my skimmer? And what is it called?
Aquador
Aquador but you need the right skimmer faceplate to be able to use one.
Won't the water spill over and freeze over the winter and ruin the sides?
What is the purpose of those water tubes?
They weigh down the cover and keep it securely in place. It is especially helpful if you have high winds.
Should you use antifreeze or is the pill good enough?
Do you need to drain the pool at all for Michigan winters?
You do not need to drain the water at all if you have an Aquador to seal off the opening to the skimmer. If you do not own this product, you'll need to lower the water an inch or two below the opening of the skimmer. There are certain inexpensive entry level above ground pools on the market that are best to disassemble at the end of the season. Check your owner's manual for their recommendation.
Where can I get the long cover loc's?
If you are in West Michigan, you can purchase them from us at Zagers. If not, we'd recommend doing a search for Gladon Cover Loc System to locate them in your area. Hope this helps!
Are those cover locks available for all above pools or just certain brands.
We have found that cover locs are very universal and work on most brands.
@@zagerspoolspa what if you have a pool from 1990 with metal rails
@@shots2 Above Ground Pool design has not changed much over the years. We have installed cover locs on pools with steel rails, however, it's not possible to say for sure if these will work for your pool. We recommend asking your local pool company (and bringing pics of the pool).
Hi, Do all return valves simply unscrew to enable to plug for winter?
It would depend on the caliber of the above ground pool. The type of pools that we carry (high quality steel, resin, hybrid) all allow the installation of winter plugs. However, there are more economical pools (ex., Intex) that should be disassembled each winter instead of being winterized.
What pool material is long lasting for MI winter & the gauge of liner?
What about evaporation your water will get less
Once the cover is on and the pool water temp drops due to winter, evaporation should not be an issue. If your water level decreases significantly, you most likely have a leak.
Lol you can’t shock and then vacuum not at least for a good 24 hours. Lol important, ppl do not shock your pool and then get in it, wait a good 24 hours before.
I get in my pool after shocking, I shock once a week all summer, just do it early in the morning and run filter for at least 6 hours before getting in
Terri Maria I was just itchy and it freaked me out lol with the chemicals
@@RosieBsmom2 if you do then you better keep your eyes shut
Ya nice vid. Maybe next time shut the damned dog away somewhere
lol!
Maybe next time put that annoying dog away