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Skimmers
The interface of the plastic skimmer to the
concrete pool,
plaster,
tile and
coping
creates many opportunities for problems to occur. Common skimmer problems include:
separation from the pool wall (beam), freeze damage,
leaking or
collapsed/ separated pipes (especially if flexible or black poly pipe was used).
Skimmer replacement involves removing the
coping stone over the skimmer, cutting the concrete deck on top of the skimmer and the
concrete that surrounds it. The skimmer is pulled off the wall and cut from the pipe(s)
beneath. The new skimmer (the same or a larger one may be preferred) is plumbed and
secured in place. Concrete and coping is put back.
Skimmer
replacement?
Skimmer replacement
is usually done at the time of a renovation, or by itself if
necessary. Cost comes out to about $1,200 for inground pool. Old pools sometimes used flex piping from
the skimmer to the pump, underground. These pipes can crimp, usually where the pipe was
bent, especially right at the skimmer. Using chlorine tablets in skimmers for many years can
lead to this problem.
If your plastic skimmer
has pulled away from the concrete pool and is
leaking, use an
underwater pool putty to patch it up temporarily and stop the leak. This is a very common
pool leak source. You may want to use a
dye test to determine if your skimmers are leaking.
Small debris stuck in a small crack is also a clue of a leak. Skimmers can also get cracks
in the plastic from concrete expansion/heave. Again
pool putty is used to repair
this.
If your skimmer
weir (the flapper gate) has come out or broken,
replace it with new. The weir creates a
small waterfall into the basket which speeds up water flow, drawing more debris in. The
weir also helps to keep debris in the skimmer neck when the pump shuts off. Similarly,
replace a broken skimmer lid, before someone steps in it.
If you suspect that your
skimmer line may be clogged, here are some useful tricks. Use a
plumber's snake to try and break up
the leaves & sticks (or whatever), or better yet, try a "drain king" which
attaches to the garden hose and puts high pressure in the line. Try it in both directions,
that is, from skimmer towards pump, and from pump towards skimmer. I usually use a plug at
the skimmer end to build up pressure in the line for 5-10 seconds. Repeatedly doing this
quickly is the best way to clear a pipe that I've used. |
