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How To Fix A Pool Skimmer Leak

Pool Skimmer leak detection In West Hills,CA

As a pool owner, chances are that you don’t pay too much attention to your pool’s wall skimmer, just like many other pool owners. The skimmer is just there, doing its job as it should, quietly, catching the debris floating on the surface of the water, therefore, preventing insects, twigs and insects from sinking to the pool floor. The way it operates is so quiet that even when it is leaking, you won’t even consider it to be the culprit.

You will start seeing your water level reduce slowly or your water bills rising drastically, but it might take a while before you even suspect the pool skimmer to be the main reason why this is happening. But you know, just like an old-time murder scenario, where you find that the culprit was someone who would have never been suspected, the pool skimmer may be as guilty. As a matter of fact, if you were to pay more attention, I am sure you would literally catch it red-handed.

How to Tell if the Skimmer is Leaking

Pool skimmer’s leaks are quite common in modern day pools, but the thing is, unlike other pool leaks, detecting it is quite simple – all you need to do is to pay close attention. For instance, one of the most obvious signs is when you notice that your water level dropped but after getting below the skimmer, it stops.

Based on Do It Yourself, a DIY web portal, fixing skimmer leaks is quite easy, but that as long as there is no physical damage on the skimmer itself. But since a majority of the skimmer leaks are due to the skimmer separating itself from the concrete, any pool owner with reasonable DIY maintenance skills can be able to fix it in just a few simple steps.

For you to locate the leak source, just turn the pool pump off and then pour several red food coloring drops around the pool skimmer. When you do that, you should see the food coloring flowing into the skimmer.

Now, when you see the coloring flowing into the seams around your skimmer, then you should immediately know that’s where the leak is. So, you should take note of these, so that you can determine the specific area that needs to be repaired.
How to Repair the Skimmer

If you decide to repair the leak by yourself, here are some basic instructions that you need to follow to be sure you are doing the right thing:
  • Shut the pool pump off, take note of the water level, and if need be, add water until the water level is an inch above the skimmer.
  • Remove the skimmer cover – it might be attached by snaps, plastic handles or screws, so you need to disengage it to remove the box.
  • Apply a two-part moldable epoxy or a pool putty – press the repair material around the leak, located along the seam of your skimmer. Now, when you look at the pool putty and epoxy, you will notice there are quite a number of differences, but experts prefer the latter when it comes to repairing skimmer leaks. Following the packaging instructions, wait for the repair to thoroughly dry, and then turn the pump on and replace the cover of the skimmer box.

Once it’s all fixed, and you are sure there are no more leaks in the pool, fill the pool with water, and if there is indeed no other leak, the water level should stop going down. However, if you are unable to fix the leak by yourself or you don’t have the time to do so, there is no harm in calling for help.

Contact us through (805)288-7004, and we will handle the repairs for you. We have been doing this for years so we know how to locate the leak and what needs to be done to ensure the leaking stops.
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