On our list of the 5 common causes of pool leaks one that may be considered a pool owner s worst fear is a leak in the skimmer pipe.
Above ground pool leaking around skimmer.
Drain down the pool.
10 scary facts about pool leaks.
Turn off the pool s pump.
Take note of where along the seam of the skimmer the food dye is flowing into as this is where you will need to make your repairs.
Pool skimmer leak inspection.
This area is usually parged in with plaster.
If the dye flows into the seams around the skimmer the skimmer is definitely the source of the leak.
Before lowering the water and replacing the gasket confirm that the faceplate mounting screws are firmly in place.
Pour a few drops of red food coloring around the perimeter of your skimmer gasket.
At some point in the life of your above ground pool odds are that you will start to see rust form around your skimmer.
Step 2 add a few drops of red food coloring into the water at the skimmer box and watch to see if the water is flowing.
It s possible that the leak is caused simply because the fittings around the.
You cannot fix a skimmer leak unless the water level is at least one inch above the skimmer box.
If you notice that the water level is lower than the skimmer box add more water to your pool.
Check for loose screw fittings.
Ripping up your pool deck and replacing the pipe is fortunately very rare.
You should start to notice the red food coloring flowing into the skimmer.
If it is not add water to the pool until it is at least 1 inch above this seam.
It is much easier to find leaks around the skimmer box area if the pool pump is switched off.
Most of the time this moisture is as a result of a leakage around the skimmer or return fitting or a small leak in the liner.
Lay on the deck and look upside down into the skimmer to locate the area where the plastic skimmer meets the concrete pool usually at the point where the tile ends.
The movement will allow small cracks to develop at the point where the plastic skimmer body meets the concrete pool wall.
Once you have located the area along the seam where the leak is remove a piece of underwater pool repair putty from the tube.
Fixing common skimmer leaks 1.
If the pool surface is pitted or displays gaps near the skimmer faceplate you may only need to apply the putty or.
Tighten any of the skimmer s mounting screws that might be loose using an appropriate size screwdriver.
How to repair a skimmer leak in an above ground pool step 1.
Above ground pool rust around skimmer.
This occurs as moisture gets between the liner and the pool wall.
If tightening the mounting screws doesn t solve the problem then it s likely the gasket.