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Your swimming pool skimmer plays an important role in removing leaves, bugs, and other debris from the surface of your pool. Keeping the proper water level and regularly cleaning the skimmer basket can help the skimmer and pool system operate properly.
In this Sonco Pools & Spas training video, we explain how a swimming pool skimmer works, how to maintain the proper water level, how often to check the skimmer basket, and how an optional skimmer sock can help collect finer debris.
The skimmer is the cutout located along the side of the swimming pool. Depending on the pool, there may be one skimmer or multiple skimmers.
Water is drawn from the main body of the swimming pool into the skimmer. As this happens, floating debris such as leaves and bugs can be collected in the skimmer basket.
The series will focus specifically on fiberglass swimming pools and the equipment that supports their operation. Individual videos will provide homeowners with educational information about different parts of pool ownership and care.
There should be a gap between the water and the top of the skimmer opening so surface debris can flow into the skimmer.
If heavy rain or accidentally overfilling the swimming pool causes the water level to rise too high, the skimmer may not properly remove floating debris from the surface.
If the swimming pool water level becomes too low, the skimmer can begin drawing air. This can cause the pool system to operate improperly.
As demonstrated in the training video, the water should be at a bare minimum around the middle of the skimmer and can extend toward the top while still maintaining a gap above the water.
There isn’t one cleaning schedule that applies to every swimming pool.
How frequently the skimmer basket needs to be serviced depends on how much debris is entering your pool. It may need attention weekly or every few days.
During times of heavier debris—such as when leaves begin falling—the skimmer basket may need to be checked and cleaned more frequently.
To access the basket, remove the skimmer lid and reach down into the skimmer. The basket can then be removed and emptied.
After servicing the skimmer, make sure the lid is properly secured.
As leaves, bugs, and other material accumulate inside the skimmer basket, that debris can begin impeding the flow of water from the swimming pool toward the filter.
For this reason, it’s important to check the skimmer frequently and keep the basket as free of debris as possible.
Some pool owners choose to use a skimmer sock, also referred to in the training video as a skimmer net.
This disposable material is placed over the skimmer basket and can capture finer debris.
Using a skimmer sock isn’t required for the skimmer to operate. However, capturing finer material at the basket can help keep the swimming pool filter system cleaner.
Skimmer socks can also make cleanup convenient. The used sock and collected debris can simply be removed and discarded.
If you don’t use a skimmer sock, remove the regular skimmer basket, empty the collected material into a wastebasket, and rinse the basket if desired.
Checking your pool’s water level and keeping the skimmer basket clean are simple maintenance steps that can help your swimming pool skimmer continue doing its job properly.
For more information about swimming pool maintenance and ownership, contact Sonco Pools & Spas at 815-654-7665.
A swimming pool skimmer draws water from the main body of the pool and helps remove floating surface debris such as leaves and bugs by collecting it in a removable skimmer basket.
The water should be at a bare minimum around the middle of the skimmer and can extend toward the top while maintaining a gap above the water. This gap allows surface debris to flow into the skimmer.
If rain or overfilling causes the pool water to become too high, there may not be enough gap at the top of the skimmer opening. This can prevent the skimmer from properly collecting floating surface debris.
If the swimming pool water level becomes too low, the skimmer can begin drawing air, which can cause the pool system to operate improperly.
Cleaning frequency depends on how much debris enters the swimming pool. The basket may need cleaning weekly or every few days, with more frequent checks during periods when a lot of debris is entering the water.
Yes. When leaves begin falling, more debris can enter the swimming pool and fill the skimmer basket faster. The training video recommends checking and cleaning the basket more frequently during these conditions.
A skimmer basket filled with leaves and other debris can impede the flow of swimming pool water toward the filter. Keeping the basket as free of debris as possible helps maintain proper water flow.
A skimmer sock is a disposable material placed over the skimmer basket. It provides an additional level of filtration and can capture finer debris before that material moves farther through the swimming pool system.
No. A skimmer sock isn’t necessary for the skimmer to operate. Some homeowners prefer using one because it captures finer debris, can help keep the filter system cleaner, and makes disposing of collected material more convenient.
Yes. After accessing or cleaning the skimmer basket, make sure the lid is properly secured. This helps prevent the lid from moving or kicking upward if someone steps on it.