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SKIMMER MOUTHS: Most skimmers have a flapper or weir that is in the front of the skimmer that floats just below the waterline. This flapper allows the pump to skim the top layer of water that has the floating leaves and derbies.

This flapper also acts like a one way valve that stops the leaves from floating back out of the skimmer. The problem is the flapper continuously slaps against the skimmer face and over several years loosens the grout, the seams, and the tile nearby. This is very common, and much overlooked. Use the inspection mirror and dye to find these leaks. These leaks are patched with 2-part underwater epoxy.

Besides the grout coming loose, the seam between the plastic skimmer and the cement can loosen and leak, but will appear as a very thin crack (part A and B in left picture).

Some skimmers have the mouth right on the face of the pool. Others are deep inside the pool wall, which can only be seen from inside the pool using the inspection mirror. Always find were the plastic meets the cement. Especially check the corners.

Below is a skimmer with a close up of the leak on the right. Notice how thin it is and without the precision of the dye test needle, it would be over looked.

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Other Tips:

Pools with this leak will have the water level stop at the bottom of the skimmer mouth.

Look for hair and sediment to be caught in the seam.

A leak like this (and most skimmer leaks due to the leaves that are drawn in) will stop leaking with the pump off.

Using the mirror to find the skimmer seam (plastic joining cement) may be necessary because some joints are hidden deep in the skimmer throat. It may be necessary to remove the flapper and bolts that hold the flapper in place to see this seam. Always check the flapper rod holes, sometimes they wear through. Always check copper flapper bolts!

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