Empty the skimmer every day and clean it thoroughly once a week. A skimmer clogged with leaves and debris causes air to be drawn into the pump, which damages the pump and effectively stops filtration.
What does a skimmer do?
A skimmer is a built-in opening in the pool wall that draws surface water towards the filter. Surface foam, leaves, insects and other floating contaminants are caught in the skimmer basket before they sink to the bottom.
A pool typically needs 1 skimmer per 25 m2 of water surface. Larger pools have 2 or more skimmers.
Daily routine: emptying the skimmer basket
- Turn the pump OFF
- Open the skimmer lid (simply lift it off)
- Pull the skimmer basket up by its handle
- Tip the debris into the bin (not back into the pool)
- Rinse the basket under a tap if needed
- Put the basket back
- Replace the lid
- Turn the pump ON
This takes 2 minutes and is the most impactful daily maintenance task you can do.
Weekly: full skimmer cleaning
In addition to emptying the basket, the skimmer deserves a thorough clean once a week:
- Turn the pump OFF
- Remove the skimmer basket and discard the debris
- Rinse out the skimmer chamber with a garden hose
- Check the weir (the flap in front of the opening): does it move freely?
- Check the skimmer pipe for blockages: put your hand in the opening: do you feel good suction when the pump is running?
- Clean the inside walls of the skimmer with a cleaning sponge
- Check the O-ring on the skimmer lid if it has one
Problems and solutions
Skimmer has poor suction:
- Basket is full, basket is blocked, water level too low, air in the skimmer pipe, or skimmer pipe is blocked
Air in the pump:
- Water level too low (less than halfway up the skimmer), leak in the skimmer pipe, faulty weir
Water stays cloudy:
- The skimmer cannot reach all surface water: check that the water flow inside the pool directs water towards the skimmer. Angle the return jets so water is pushed towards it.
Tip
Chlorine tablets can be placed in the skimmer, but only when the pump runs continuously. Never leave tablets in the skimmer when you turn the pump off.
How a pool skimmer actually works
The movable flap at the skimmer mouth is called the weir. As the pump creates suction, the weir tilts inward with the current, skimming the top few centimetres of the pool surface. When the pump stops, the weir drops back and prevents water from flowing out again, keeping captured debris inside the basket.
Water entering the skimmer passes through the basket (which catches coarse debris), then travels through the skimmer pipe to the pump and filter. At the bottom of the skimmer housing there is a second connection called the equaliser pipe (or bottom suction). If the water level drops low enough that the main skimmer mouth draws air, the equaliser allows the pump to draw from a lower point instead. The equaliser typically has a rubber ball or hinged flap that opens automatically under suction.
Full cleaning procedure
The daily basket emptying alone is not enough. Weekly, do the full procedure:
- Turn the pump off
- Lift off the skimmer lid and set it aside
- Pull up the basket by its handle
- Empty debris into the bin (not into the pool or garden where it can wash back)
- Rinse the basket with a garden hose: aim the jet at the mesh to dislodge fine particles from inside
- Inspect the basket for cracks or deformed mesh: a damaged basket lets fine debris through to the pump
- Check the weir: does it swing freely? A stuck weir reduces skimming efficiency significantly
- Brush the inside walls of the skimmer housing if you see green slime or biofilm
- Check the bottom pipe opening for obstructions
- Replace the basket, replace the lid
- Turn the pump on and confirm the return jets are active within 30 seconds
Warning signs during operation
Gurgling or bubbling sound at the pump: the pump is drawing air. Most common causes: the basket is full, the water level is too low (basket mouth is partially exposed to air), or the equaliser valve is stuck closed. Address immediately: running a pump dry even briefly damages the mechanical shaft seal and impeller.
Weak return jets: flow is restricted. First check the skimmer basket. If the basket is empty, check the filter pressure and the pump pre-filter basket.
Foam in the skimmer: organic matter from sunscreen, hair and sweat combines with chloramines to produce foam. Carry out a shock treatment and consider adding an enzyme-based water clarifier.
Seasonal maintenance
Before winterising: remove the skimmer basket and store it indoors or in a dry shed. Never leave water standing in the skimmer through freezing temperatures: ice exerts enormous pressure and can crack the housing or the pipe fittings.
Apply a thin coat of silicone grease or petroleum jelly to the lid O-ring before closing up for winter. This keeps the rubber supple and prevents it from freezing to the lid, which causes tearing when you force it open in spring.
In spring, push the equaliser ball or flap gently with a rod to make sure it moves freely after months without use. A stuck equaliser causes pump cavitation when the water level is low.
How often should you clean the skimmer?
Empty the basket every 2 to 3 days during heavy pollen season (May to June) and autumn leaf fall. After storms or heavy rain: check immediately. In summer with low leaf fall: minimum once a week. A full skimmer basket reduces pump flow by 30 to 50%, which means the filter does not receive enough water to work efficiently.
Recommended products
A cracked or worn skimmer basket lets fine debris through and puts unnecessary strain on the filter. A good replacement basket is a small investment that protects the whole system.
Universal Replacement Skimmer Basket
SwimlineReplacement skimmer basket that fits most standard skimmer housings. Fine mesh catches smaller debris than most stock baskets and rinses clean in seconds.
- Fits most standard skimmer housings
- Finer mesh than original basket
- Easy to clean under the tap
- Check dimensions before ordering, not universal for all brands
Fine Mesh Skimmer Basket
SwimlineFine mesh skimmer basket that catches small debris, insects and pollen. Fits most standard in-ground and above-ground skimmer housings.
- Extra fine mesh
- Fits standard skimmer housings
- Easy to rinse clean under the tap
- Needs emptying more often with heavy fine debris
Yctze Multifunctional Skimmer Filter Basket
YctzeMultifunctional replacement skimmer filter basket for pool cleaning. Fits a range of standard skimmer housings for in-ground and above-ground pools.
- Multifunctional design
- Fits various skimmer housings
- Check dimensions before ordering
