QA

Quick Answer: Why Is My Pool Skimmer Not Working

Why is there no suction in my pool skimmer?

When your pool skimmer has no suction, the cause is most likely a blockage. This can put the entire filtration system of the pool into question, as there will be low water pressure.

How do I get more suction on my pool skimmer?

Plugged filters, redirecting suction by reducing closing by half pool floor isolation valve’s, completely open skimmer isolation valves. Replace cartridge filters, or backwash sand filters more often.

How do you know if your skimmer is working properly?

If air is being properly mixed with the water your skimmer should be producing bubbles. If your skimmer is producing bubbles then chances are there is nothing wrong with your skimmer. It may just need to break in, be cleaned, or be readjusted.

What are the 2 holes in skimmer?

When you look down into your pool skimmer, you may see two holes, one at 12 o’clock and another opposite hole, at 6 o’clock. This gives the pool builder some flexibility in how to connect the plumbing pipes underneath the skimmer.

Why does my pool pump not have suction?

It could be something blocking it, a dirty pool filter, or too much air in the system. If there’s something blocking your pump’s suction, check your filter gauge. Then check your pump basket and impeller for debris. If there’s air in the system, it’s probably coming through the skimmer or leaky o-ring.

How do you know if your pool is clogged?

To find out which specific pipe is blocked, run your pool pump and check each line by itself by shutting off the other lines (skimmer lines, main drain line) and looking at your filter’s pressure gauge. If a specific line has lower pressure than the other lines, then you’ve found your blockage.

How do I know if my pool filter is clogged?

Add diatomaceous earth (DE) to your pool skimmer, stick to around a scoop or two – no more than the size of a 1lb coffee cup. The moment you do this, go to the pool jets to see if it is returning DE into the pool, or if the water suddenly looks cloudy. If it is, you likely have an issue with your filter.

How much suction should my skimmer have?

You should aim for a water level about 1/2 to 2/3 up the opening of the skimmer. Too low and you start to get gurgling sounds which are telling you that your pump is working way too hard at trying to keep the water flowing.

How do I test my pool pump suction?

Look into the clear glass in the strainer lid while the pump is running. If you observe bubbles in the water flowing through the strainer, you probably have a suction leak.

How do I turn my pool skimmer on?

To turn on your skimmer valves, slowly make the handle go in line with the pipe. Now, this is the correct position for both skimmer(s) and floor drains to be bringing water to the filter pump.

Can a pool skimmer get clogged?

If there is a blockage, it would have collected in the suction lines. There are several indicators of a blockage in the skimmer’s suction lines: the pump pulses and surges, the water intake is slow or the pump is loud with low pressure. Slow water intake can also indicate a clogged suction line in the skimmer.

Should both holes in skimmer have suction?

The skimmer sits at the waterline and catches leaves, bugs and trash so they do not clog the filter. Skimmers with a second hole help keep the pump from running dry if the water level is unstable.

Can I run pool pump without skimmer?

Depending on the location and type of your pool, you may decide that running it without a skimmer is too much work. If so, you can either turn the skimmer back on, or have one installed if you did not have one previously. In general, however, there is not problem with running a pool without a skimmer.

Should skimmer valve be open or closed?

For proper water circulation, it is best to position the flap so that it is about 2/3 closed. Inside the float valve is a small plastic float, which prevents air from passing through the skimmer in the event that the pool water level drops below that of the skimmer entrance.

Why are my pool jets not strong?

The most common reason for weak jets is an air leak. An air leak would come from the suction side of the system. This would be the area between the skimmer and the pump. The pump strainer, in most cases, should be full of water and have no visible air.

Can pool pipes get clogged?

Although it is possible for the valves to become clogged, most often the blockage is in the pipes or the pool-pump impeller. To isolate the line that is blocked, run the pool pump and shut off the valves to run the water through each of the lines feeding into the main intake pipe and into the pool pump.

Can an inground pool collapse?

The weight of ice or snow are common culprits of pool collapse. Draining your pool too much. An older inground pool may not be able to withstand the weight of dirt against it once it is empty or if the water levels are too low. Groundwater can also push against the pool walls and cause it to collapse.