Pool Skimmer Not Working: 8 Causes and How to Fix Each

Why Your Pool Skimmer Stopped Working

You walk out to your pool and notice leaves floating everywhere. The water looks murky. And that skimmer? It’s doing absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? This is one of the most frustrating pool problems out there.

Here’s the thing — your skimmer is basically the first line of defense for keeping your pool clean. When it fails, everything else suffers. Debris builds up, water chemistry goes haywire, and suddenly you’ve got a mess on your hands.

If you’re dealing with skimmer troubles, you’ll want to contact a Swimming Pool Repair Service Mckinney to get professional help. But before you make that call, let’s walk through what might be causing the problem. You might even fix it yourself.

8 Common Causes of Skimmer Failure

1. Clogged Skimmer Basket

This one’s obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people overlook it. Your skimmer basket catches leaves, bugs, hair, and all sorts of gunk. When it gets packed full, water can’t flow through properly.

Check your basket at least twice a week. More often if you’ve got trees nearby. Empty it out, give it a rinse, and pop it back in. Takes about 30 seconds.

2. Skimmer Weir Door Issues

That little flap at the front of your skimmer? It’s called a weir door. And it’s actually pretty important. This flap helps create the suction that pulls debris into the basket.

Sometimes the weir door gets stuck. Other times it falls off completely. If yours is missing or jammed, your skimmer loses most of its pulling power. Replacement doors cost around $10-15 and snap right in.

3. Air Leaks in the Skimmer Line

Air leaks are sneaky. You might notice bubbles coming out of your return jets — that’s a telltale sign. When air gets into the system, it messes with suction throughout the entire setup.

Common leak spots include:

• The pump lid O-ring
• Connections at the skimmer throat
• Cracked pipes underground
• Loose fittings at the pump

Finding air leaks can be tricky. Some folks use shaving cream around suspected areas — if the cream gets sucked in, you’ve found your leak.

4. Pump Basket Blockage

Your pump has its own basket, and it needs attention too. When this basket clogs up, the whole system struggles. Water can’t move efficiently, and your skimmer basically stops working.

Turn off the pump before checking this one. Open the pump lid, pull out the basket, clean it thoroughly, and make sure that lid O-ring is in good shape before putting everything back together.

5. Collapsed or Damaged Underground Lines

Now we’re getting into the more serious stuff. Underground pipes can collapse from ground movement, tree roots, or just age. According to swimming pool construction standards, proper pipe installation is critical for long-term function.

Signs of collapsed lines include weak suction even when everything else looks fine, or complete loss of flow from one skimmer while others work normally. This repair requires professional equipment and excavation.

6. Water Level Too Low

Here’s something simple that gets overlooked. Your pool water needs to hit about halfway up the skimmer opening. Too low, and the skimmer sucks air instead of water.

Check your water level regularly, especially during hot weather when evaporation speeds up. A garden hose for 20 minutes usually does the trick.

7. Cracked Skimmer Throat

The skimmer throat connects the skimmer to the plumbing system. Cracks here cause suction loss and can even lead to leaks that damage your pool structure over time.

Inspect around the skimmer throat for visible cracks. Small cracks might be patchable with pool putty. Larger ones? That’s a Swimming Pool Repair Service Mckinney situation for sure.

8. Multiport Valve Position

If you’ve got a sand or DE filter with a multiport valve, check its position. The valve should be set to “Filter” for normal operation. Sometimes it gets bumped to “Recirculate” or another setting, which bypasses the skimmer entirely.

Simple fix — just turn the handle to the correct position. Always turn off the pump before moving the multiport valve though.

When to Call a Professional

Some skimmer problems you can handle yourself. Others need expert attention. Deck O Art recommends calling a professional when you’re dealing with underground line damage, major cracks, or persistent issues that simple troubleshooting doesn’t fix.

Here’s a quick guide:

Preventing Future Skimmer Problems

Prevention beats repair every time. A few simple habits keep your skimmer running smoothly for years.

Clean baskets twice weekly. Test your water chemistry regularly — imbalanced water can damage equipment faster than you’d think. Trim back trees and bushes that drop debris into your pool. And schedule an annual inspection to catch small issues before they become expensive headaches.

For Pool Remodeling Service near me searches, you’ll find that many companies also offer maintenance plans that include regular skimmer checks. Worth considering if you want hands-off pool care.

Want to learn more about pool maintenance and keep your equipment in top shape? Regular attention makes a huge difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my pool skimmer not pulling water?

Most often it’s a clogged basket, low water level, or air leak in the system. Start by emptying both skimmer and pump baskets, then check your water level. If those look fine, you might have an air leak that needs professional diagnosis.

How do I know if my skimmer line is clogged?

Weak suction at one skimmer while others work normally usually points to a line clog. You might also notice the pump struggling or making unusual sounds. A pool professional can use specialized equipment to locate and clear blockages.

Can I run my pool pump without the skimmer working?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended for extended periods. Your skimmer handles surface debris that affects water clarity and chemistry. Running without it means more manual cleaning and potential algae problems.

How much does skimmer repair typically cost?

Simple fixes like basket replacement run $10-30. Weir door replacement costs around $15-25. Major repairs involving the skimmer throat or underground lines can range from $300-1500 depending on severity and accessibility.

How often should I clean my pool skimmer?

Check and empty your skimmer basket at least twice per week during swimming season. Homes with lots of trees or heavy pool use should check daily. Takes less than a minute and prevents most common skimmer problems.