The skimmer retains your above-ground pool fresh and clean, but when you notice a suspicious drop in the water level from 1 day to another, the skimmer may have a leak. To confirm this diagnosis, assess the ground below the skimmer box for extra moisture. Generally, any competent do-it-yourselfer equipped with ordinary household tools can quickly accomplish the repair — and you may not even have to postpone your pool party.
Fixing Common Skimmer Leaks
Pour a few drops of red food coloring around the outside of your skimmer gasket. If the red drops flow behind or around the gasket, it confirms the skimmer gasket is responsible to your pool’s escape.
Turn off the pool’s pump.
Tighten any one of these skimmer’s mounting screws that might be loose, employing an appropriate-size screwdriver.
Drain the pool’s water level so that it’s below the skimmer, if the leak persists. Loosen all of the screws and set them aside, then pull the skimmer faceplate and remove the old gasket.
Line up a fresh gasket so that the holes align the screw holes on the skimmer housing. Set the skimmer’s faceplate above the gasket and insert the first screws into the holes, then gently finger tightening each to prevent them from dropping into the pool. Follow up by firmly tightening the screws with the screwdriver.
Refill the pool into its normal level.
Fixing Stubborn Skimmer Leaks
Turn off the pool’s pump and then drop the water level to 2 inches below the skimmer housing if the skimmer continues to leak once you replace the gasket.
Apply a small amount of marine-grade silicone sealant around the edges of the gasket faceplate directly from the squeeze tube. Slide plastic or rubber gloves and then press on the sealant firmly into position with your hands. Allow the sealant 24 to 48 hours to dry and cure completely, or as directed on the product’s label.
Refill the pool into its standard level.