Owned a new home with a pool and this was never explained to me. Great video and kudos to whoever did the animation of the skimmer diverter. I know that animation takes time and loving care. Great job.
IRONIC! I’m cleaning the pool skimmer and trying to figure out how it works when I head up to the house for a break and this gem of a video pops up on UA-cam! What a great video. I guess Alexa not only hears conversations but READS MINDS!
Great video, wish I had seen it years ago when I bought a house with a pool. Irritated that two people I hired to replaster and repair leaks over the years never bothered to point out that the O-ring in the bottom of the skimmer needed replaced, and the weir door is missing. I learned more from your video than any other source. Thanks!
This video is the best skimmer video I have seen all evening. I've viewed quite a few because I'm having problems with my skimmer and was hoping to learn why. Your video was quite informative. Thank you!
Thank you sir. I just bought my first house and we have A 32,000 gallon pool. We went through 3 pool guys and nobody wants to explain to me how anything works. This was very helpful and insightful. Thank you again I am going to check mine now
don't expect much from a pool guy. He's trying to do ten pools a day and if he's at your house longer than 15 minutes he'll feel like he's losing money. He's there to check chems, chunk some chems, and vacuum, wash the filter once a month, and nothing else.
Well made and very informative video. As a swimming pool operator and repair person, in Florida, I'm always open to learning more about this industry. Thanks to your video I learned about the vac-mate. Now I have the perfect solution for customers who only have the skimmers as a means of circulating the water in the pool (some of them have had the main drains plugged because of leaks when they can't afford the repair). I can let them know that they don't have to sacrifice the skimmer function when using it as a vacuum line. Thanks!
This is the single best video on main drain/skimmer operation. Could not figure why the main drains weren't working at my brothers pool. Also didn't realize the vacuum suction port was a dedicated line/pipe. Explains why adjusting the jandy valve in front of pump sped up or slowed down the auto cleaner. Your video made everything make sense. Awesome video! Thanks a ton, Arizona Pool working correctly again!
Thank you! I live in Glendale AZ and have owned a pool for 22 years. The skimmer never worked correctly until I viewed your video. Works like a champ now. Greatly appreciate the video.
Makes me wana check now if mine has one or not lol. Just got a new house and it has a pool, never owned a pool in my entire life so I’m educating myself on maintaining it properly and if there are some thing I can learn to do myself I would love to know.
I've been operating my skimmer without 2 parts for 20+ years. 3 Pool companies over 20 years never caught this. Unbelievable... Thank You :) Pool diverter Valve....
It's amazing how well designed a good pool is and how everything has to work together for proper function. The water level must be high enough, there are holes in the skimmer top for a reason, the weir door must work properly and have foam installed, etc etc. If any single item isn't correct, it can cause problems. A pool design is very well thought out by the designers/engineers for specific reasons.
So....what is the reason for the holes in the top? You have a point, but on the other hand some stuff is invented 100 years ago, like the light bulb, and never gets improved. Sometimes that's because there's a best way to do it, and the original inventor found that way and that's what made it possible and maybe no improvement is possible. But other times things remain primitive when they should be improved. Maybe sometimes that's because no one would choose to pay a higher price for an improved item. This skimmer is about four times more complex than I realized, however the weir door could be improved. When swimming the door bangs shut with an annoying slap as you splash around. It should have a damping mechanism that prevents that.
Very, very helpful! Helped me solve some problems my pool service company has been overlooking. As a person who views a lot of UA-cam videos, I want to say your video is exceptionally well done and filled with complete and clear information.
Awesome, I always thought pools should have flow from the main drain. Not shocked at all that every pool I have ever owned is missing that part. I will buy one next week and have already sent a link to this video to the people who bought my previous houses. Subscribed.
It never occurred to me that the weir door speeds the water up and helps it skim more effectively, I always thought the sole purpose was to keep the leaves from coming out when the pump shut off. Thank you.
BINGO, I just faved you, subscribed, and added this to my bookmarks. FINALLY a good explanation of how this sort of system works. The wier gate is missing from my skimmer. The 0 ring is missing also. I bought this house in Florida in April and had to hire a guy to do pool care not because I am rich or lazy, but it is totally different from my pool in California in the 80's that had a valve at the filter for how you want the water to draw to the pump. In 5 minutes I now understand and will watch the rest because I still don't understand how to attach a hose to get suction to vacuum the pool. I have a lot of stuff floating on the surface of the water, not big stuff like leaves, but dust that has clumped together. While dust clouds are coming from Africa people in Florida want all suction to be from the skimmer. I did not know how to do that till now. Thank you!
I bought a home with an in-ground pool and the weir was missing. I couldn't identify the skimmer so I 3d printed a new weir for it. It works now, thanks to this video for explaining how crucial the weir flapper is!
Lol.. just bought this house and my weir door and diverter are gone and I seem to have a blockage issue.. looking through your other posts now.. thank you, you rock!
I am new to pools and am learning everything so i can service my own pool. Im missing all these parts!!! Very helpful video and thanks for the links as well.
Love this video thanks. I thought I picked up everything myself just getting to know a system, but there's so many more little nuances and subtle design elements. Took me through it so quickly - Great video!!!
Terrific speaking voice and organization. I really enjoyed the presentation. Keep doing more. Question I wanted answered was: What is the effect of closing down one of two skimmers and relying on just one?
Wjy would you want to do that? Obvious answer: You will get only half the skimming action available in your deluxe pool. The result will be more floating debris having time to get water logged and sink to the bottom, where it will require manual labor to recover.
I don't own a pool and have always been scared of pool parts. This video came up in my recommended and understanding what the components are and how they work makes them less scary.
Oh what the heck, I have no such valve in my skimmer and I've had it run dry more than once - argh! Seems I need to source one, thank you for this video! My weir door is also not floating properly,I suspect the foam is toast. More projects!
So informative, thanks for posting. I've always wondered about the skimmer "UFO" valve and why a weir is nessary. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
I am designing a pond from a old pool now, originally sealed all skimmer compartments to prevent wildlife entering, making a nest or clogging the system (frog turtles etc). The filtration would be done by injecting the water into the root system of an aquatic plant garden, then it waterfalls back into the pool/pond. Now that the pool body has been repaired and the pump if draining from the bottom of the pool i see floating stuff and need to decide how and if i want to remove them. Thanks for the detailed history of skimmers and its components/purpose.
Josh, I found your channel today. I've liked there videos already. Never understood all the functions of a weir door. I don't think my pool which I had built ever had a skimmer diverter valve. Maybe I can find one and install it to protect the pump if the skimmer gets blocked. Saw your video on finding pool leaks and how to determine if there is a leak. Excellent videos! Rob
I have had inground pools for many years and was not aware of this information. I always wondered why there were two ports at the bottom of the skimmer, non on my pools have ever had valve in the skimmer and that would have been nice to know about to keep your pump from sucking air when the water level gets low. Thanks.
Thanks for the video! I didn’t know about the vac mate assembly. I was always pulling the suction hose for the pool sweep out so the skimmer would. I’m buying a vac mate now.
Great video. I inherited a 33x17 inground vinyl liner when I bought this house ten years ago. I figure the pool to be close to 25 years old. In a previous lifetime I lifeguarded and pool upkeep isn't foreign to me, but your depiction of the B9 skimmer was still helpful and I'd never heard of the earlier model you showed. In my pool though, one outlet in the bottom of the skimmer is capped because there's a dedicated main drain line to the filter and I balance the flows with valves there. Anyhow, on the topic of skimmers, my comment is more about pool design and some short-sightedness I wrestle with, that maybe someone else can relate to. In my case we're out in the country at 1000' elevation and the winds here have "flag-poled" many of the surrounding trees so we have a prevailing wind from the WNW. Sadly the pool installer placed the skimmer at the upwind end of the pool, so very often I'm out there with the pole and net scooping out debris at the opposite end of where the skimmer is. Fortunately the skimmer does an effective job catching toads and rodents. I found a device that attaches to a pool inlet (one of which I do have at the leeward end) which uses the flow of the returning water to create a venturi effect sucking debris into a net. I'm not here to promote the product so I won't name it, but it is very effective. And when planning a pool, consider the environment it's being built in.
chuck we just bought house with inground pool and so im learning but my skimmer sounds be same as urs one hole other with plug in it any thing u can suggest or tell me on how to run my pool skimmer would be appreciated as im clueless but trying to learn.
@@dumpsterdivingqponqueen9499 - So at the pump you likely have two return lines joined to a valve just where it enters the pump, true? One comes from the skimmer and one from the deep end. That's my case, and 99% of the time I keep the valve in the "On" position halfway between either inlet. The only time I move it to more skimmer is when I'm vacuuming (because the vacuum connects to the skimmer) and I want more suction force. For the DIYer I strongly suggest visiting poolsolutions dot com and poolforum dot com. Both were started by a very knowledgable pool pro who got fed up with people being fleeced by pool stores (now known as being "pool stored"). I now maintain my pool with chlorine almost exclusively. This time of year I'll give it a heavy dose of algacide too.
@@ChuckD59 ty and yes thats how mine is set but i dont seem to have any suctionin the skimmer basket if i dont close off the bottom drain coming in but i also got huge air buble when i start pump coming out the jet for bout 45 seconds then tames down im wondering if i might have debri in line somewhere but the water does seem to be flowing into pump basket ok
This is the most helpful video I've seen to date especially since you go through several types of skimmers. I am definitely going to try your recommendations. I have a new pool and my suction isn't great. My contractor basically vanished so I'm on my own. I had a pool company come out and they did get it better but not good enough.
Thanks for the vid! I have a 30k gal pool with an attached spa. In the pump house, there are no less than 9 valves of varying types. It took me a very long time to figure out what they do and to get the 'flow' right. Unfortunately, while getting the pool ready for summer a couple weeks ago, I discovered the spa weir door was broken. I didn't realize how important it was for proper skimmer operation. That explains the excessive debris in the spa at the end of the last summer. Just gotta figure out how to fix it now. Cheers!!
thanks for posting this video, this is a great educational video for ppl with no experience that just bought a house with a pool. GREAT pool skimmer 101.
After working with my AG pool for 20 years, I have learned that EVERY single component on the pool, motor, filter etc was scientifically designed to work efficiently and for a good reason for optimum performance. I even had wondered why my Hayward's flat skimmer cover had a small hole on top, and there is a good reason for that. and if the pool water level is too low, excess suction and air cavitation can happen at the skimmer. If the water level is too high, the skimmer suction and weir door won't operate efficiently.
I was still not happy with the weak skimmer pull of the top of my pool water. Still too many bugs, pollen, Etc. I found if I raised the Weir door up with my fingers just 3/8 to 1/2 inch, it "dramatically increased the waterfall effect" and now the skimmer pulls in pool water from 2-3 ft. out. You should lift the door just a bit using your fingers and see for yourself... If you go too much higher, like a full inch, you will see the water level drop in your skimmer housing. You do Not need or want to go up that high. So now I ordered this Rubber Door stop "Wedge" and inserted it under the door to raise it about 3/8" and keep it there. Works great! I did drill a small hole in the flat edge of the Wedge to be able to fix it so it dose not fall into the suction line if it came loose during swimming activity. But it really does stay in place. Shepherd Hardware 9133 Heavy Duty Rubber Door Wedge, Brown.. Only $1.97.
My style of weir door has a rectangular piece of styrofoam that causes it to float up to a vertical position when the pump is not running. If you have not already purchased a new door, look around for the missing piece or make one from styrofoam packing material you might have laying around and fasten it with adhesive. Check out your other skimmer (if you have one) for comparison.
Excellent video - I THINK that you know more than 99.9% of pool 🏊 techs- I'm definitely subbing. I thought that I was the only person who called it a "flying saucer"!! 👽 I THINK my skimmer is a U3 - do they also use the saucer?! Lastly, thanks for the weir advice. Mine's been broken for years and I THOUGHT it only kept debris from re-entering the Pool at pump shut-off. Are they a DIY install?!
VERY INFORMATIVE! everything explained very well! My pool wont prime and I am afraid I have to have an expert come out. I tried everything and don't want to burn up the motor trying. I know how to fill and bleed the tank and the make sure the basket near the motor has water in before turning on but still nothing. And my HEAT PUMP is reading LP and not one person I called knows how to fix it!
You may have a significant air leak on the suction side. Check out our video on the issue here: Trouble shooting Air bubbles in the pool ua-cam.com/video/PICTJbUaesA/v-deo.html
Great video!👍🏻 I really found it easy to understand and follow. Your detailed explanation is super important and educational tool in order to successfully fine tune my pool skimmer diverted valves. Thanks for the help and expertise! 🥂 Cheers 🍻
Fantastic and clear thank you. Our holiday pool seems to have a mind of its own as we head down each four days. Some weeks it’ll be filtering well on Auto but some times I will get No Flow even though it’s just on halfway for filler box. I swap and clean my cartridge each weekend too. Appreciate any tips maybe a hair crack in filler as you say?
Amazingly explanatory video of how a skimmer works and how to tune a satellite valve. For the skimmer shown in this video, what is the model number or UPC of the Vac Mate you mentioned, because there are many. Again, excellent presentation and video.
@@lrakwons9799is that controlled by the plastic slider on bottom of equalizer or the main valves? This video states a pencil width opening but I have read half open. Thanks!
@@SeeThroughandLetGo the main valves you’re speaking about is the valves for the suction side of the pump correct? If so that’s what you want to adjust. The plastic slider has me a bit confused, are you talking about the circle thing at the bottom of the skimmer that can block water being pulled through?
@@daveleary5830 two of my six skimmers have had replacement weirs for over 3 seasons and have had no problems. they seem to be cheaper than oem, about $15. just google universal skimmer weir, i usually buy from inyo pools
@@cutrara7 The Swimquip 240067 Universal Pool & Spa 8-3/8" Kafko Skimmer Weir seems to be the best fit except that it is 1/4" taller than what I have now(I have 5" and this is 5.25"). It probably won't matter since it's not going to be an exact Rolls Royce fit anyways. Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to get it from Amazon, with Prime it's cheaper than the other guys when you add shipping to theirs.
my stupid weir door don't fit properly.. rahh!! modification time! been wondering for the last year why the damn skimmer doesn't work properly, this is the first video I've found that explained it.
2 month update, the modification worked perfectly, one linsher machine later, a few tests until it fit properly and lowered all the way down properly. in the right hand side, about 15mm from the top and 7mm from the bottom on a diagonal and now it works PROPERLY. which is quite a lot of plastic to grind off the end, then I had to cut and silicone a piece of perspex on the end to make it water tight. next purchase is a new hose for the automatic cleaner thing. the one I have is so UV perished it just snaps if you handle it too roughly. ahh the fun of owning a pool. on the plus side, since I upgraded my roof solar, I had a heap of spare panels to play with and have three in parallel powering a salt cell hanging in the skimmer box, I haven't had to add chlorine in months.
I found the vid informational. I have a question, how do I avoid getting or how can I get rid of air that is in the pump housing after installing there regularly that's under the basket?
Owned a new home with a pool and this was never explained to me. Great video and kudos to whoever did the animation of the skimmer diverter. I know that animation takes time and loving care. Great job.
Owned my pool for 23 years and now I finally know how that diverter works. Great video - Thanks!
IRONIC! I’m cleaning the pool skimmer and trying to figure out how it works when I head up to the house for a break and this gem of a video pops up on UA-cam! What a great video. I guess Alexa not only hears conversations but READS MINDS!
AWESOME! Glad our videos are making a difference.
Creepy.
Creepy.
I’ve watched a lot of videos to understand how diverter valve works. This is the best one. Thank you! 👊🏼
Great video, wish I had seen it years ago when I bought a house with a pool. Irritated that two people I hired to replaster and repair leaks over the years never bothered to point out that the O-ring in the bottom of the skimmer needed replaced, and the weir door is missing. I learned more from your video than any other source. Thanks!
Thank you Alexander!
Quite possibly one of the most thorough videos I’ve watched yet on UA-cam.
Agreed. Well presented and narrated, no frills to detract from content.
This video is the best skimmer video I have seen all evening. I've viewed quite a few because I'm having problems with my skimmer and was hoping to learn why. Your video was quite informative. Thank you!
Thank you sir. I just bought my first house and we have A 32,000 gallon pool. We went through 3 pool guys and nobody wants to explain to me how anything works. This was very helpful and insightful. Thank you again I am going to check mine now
most pool techs wont know this stuff there just there to get a check
Most of them are Rip off Artists. Learn everything you can on UA-cam.
Why would a pool service person explain to you how everything works just so that you can be trained and then you drop service?
Yep same … two pool guys terrible but in Australia Clark Pool supplies have been incredible and taught me so much! The Bunnings for pool dads!
don't expect much from a pool guy. He's trying to do ten pools a day and if he's at your house longer than 15 minutes he'll feel like he's losing money. He's there to check chems, chunk some chems, and vacuum, wash the filter once a month, and nothing else.
Well made and very informative video. As a swimming pool operator and repair person, in Florida, I'm always open to learning more about this industry. Thanks to your video I learned about the vac-mate. Now I have the perfect solution for customers who only have the skimmers as a means of circulating the water in the pool (some of them have had the main drains plugged because of leaks when they can't afford the repair). I can let them know that they don't have to sacrifice the skimmer function when using it as a vacuum line. Thanks!
This is the single best video on main drain/skimmer operation.
Could not figure why the main drains weren't working at my brothers pool. Also didn't realize the vacuum suction port was a dedicated line/pipe. Explains why adjusting the jandy valve in front of pump sped up or slowed down the auto cleaner.
Your video made everything make sense. Awesome video!
Thanks a ton, Arizona Pool working correctly again!
Love the dig on developers. They are the bane of urban sprawl.
I knew the flapper door had a purpose but didnt relize it was that important. Thanks for explaining
Thank you! I live in Glendale AZ and have owned a pool for 22 years. The skimmer never worked correctly until I viewed your video. Works like a champ now. Greatly appreciate the video.
Great video. Loved the way you broke everything down. In a way non pool people can understand and spoke slow and clear. Thank you👍🏽👍🏽🤙🏽
Fantastic video.
Seriously, this answered several questions I had, and highlighted that I didn't have a door, or a gasket under my Skimmer value.
I literally have had my pool 13 years and never noticed it was missing it's door until now. Thanks! Just ordered one. Prob will help lol
Makes me wana check now if mine has one or not lol. Just got a new house and it has a pool, never owned a pool in my entire life so I’m educating myself on maintaining it properly and if there are some thing I can learn to do myself I would love to know.
Mine broke over the winter. Just installed my new door. Took 5 minutes after watching this video. It makes a huge difference in the flow.
I've been operating my skimmer without 2 parts for 20+ years. 3 Pool companies over 20 years never caught this. Unbelievable... Thank You :) Pool diverter Valve....
Me too, although only for a few months. I think this must be common practice.
It's amazing how well designed a good pool is and how everything has to work together for proper function. The water level must be high enough, there are holes in the skimmer top for a reason, the weir door must work properly and have foam installed, etc etc. If any single item isn't correct, it can cause problems. A pool design is very well thought out by the designers/engineers for specific reasons.
So....what is the reason for the holes in the top? You have a point, but on the other hand some stuff is invented 100 years ago, like the light bulb, and never gets improved. Sometimes that's because there's a best way to do it, and the original inventor found that way and that's what made it possible and maybe no improvement is possible. But other times things remain primitive when they should be improved. Maybe sometimes that's because no one would choose to pay a higher price for an improved item. This skimmer is about four times more complex than I realized, however the weir door could be improved. When swimming the door bangs shut with an annoying slap as you splash around. It should have a damping mechanism that prevents that.
@@TheLarryBrown One of the reasons for a finger hole in the top of the skimmer lid is to put your finger in it to get the lid off.
I just put the weir back into my skimmer today. It is definitely worth the effort. My pool stays clean now even with flowers all around it.
Thank you for this video!! Bought my house with the pool already there and had no clue why the skimmer never worked well....helps to have a Wier door.
You sir are the only one that had a great explanation of my in ground pool system.
Very, very helpful! Helped me solve some problems my pool service company has been overlooking. As a person who views a lot of UA-cam videos, I want to say your video is exceptionally well done and filled with complete and clear information.
Thanks John!
Awesome, I always thought pools should have flow from the main drain. Not shocked at all that every pool I have ever owned is missing that part. I will buy one next week and have already sent a link to this video to the people who bought my previous houses. Subscribed.
It never occurred to me that the weir door speeds the water up and helps it skim more effectively, I always thought the sole purpose was to keep the leaves from coming out when the pump shut off. Thank you.
BINGO, I just faved you, subscribed, and added this to my bookmarks. FINALLY a good explanation of how this sort of system works. The wier gate is missing from my skimmer. The 0 ring is missing also. I bought this house in Florida in April and had to hire a guy to do pool care not because I am rich or lazy, but it is totally different from my pool in California in the 80's that had a valve at the filter for how you want the water to draw to the pump. In 5 minutes I now understand and will watch the rest because I still don't understand how to attach a hose to get suction to vacuum the pool. I have a lot of stuff floating on the surface of the water, not big stuff like leaves, but dust that has clumped together. While dust clouds are coming from Africa people in Florida want all suction to be from the skimmer. I did not know how to do that till now. Thank you!
There Should Be An Award On UA-cam...Which Won't Allow Videos To Ever Be Deleted...For Their Public Awareness & Assistance.
Very helpful video. For the first time, I have a pretty good understanding of how the pool skimmer and the float assembly work. Well done..
you are outstanding at explaining how pools work, leak detection, I'm going to call you
Excellent instructional video Was able to quickly troubleshoot my skimmer based on the info you provided. Thanks!
I bought a home with an in-ground pool and the weir was missing. I couldn't identify the skimmer so I 3d printed a new weir for it. It works now, thanks to this video for explaining how crucial the weir flapper is!
That’s awesome!!!
This is the best explanation of a skimmer I’ve found on UA-cam thanks! Do you think you could do an in depth video on how to replace a skimmer?
Bust the old one out and the it becomes obvious how to put the new one in.
@@FawxNewsNetworkHighly helpful. Not.
@@TheLarryBrown that's how I do it 🤣
Lol.. just bought this house and my weir door and diverter are gone and I seem to have a blockage issue.. looking through your other posts now.. thank you, you rock!
I am new to pools and am learning everything so i can service my own pool. Im missing all these parts!!! Very helpful video and thanks for the links as well.
Love this video thanks. I thought I picked up everything myself just getting to know a system, but there's so many more little nuances and subtle design elements. Took me through it so quickly - Great video!!!
Terrific speaking voice and organization. I really enjoyed the presentation. Keep doing more. Question I wanted answered was: What is the effect of closing down one of two skimmers and relying on just one?
Wjy would you want to do that? Obvious answer: You will get only half the skimming action available in your deluxe pool. The result will be more floating debris having time to get water logged and sink to the bottom, where it will require manual labor to recover.
I've owned a large pool for about ten years. Learned some good things from this video. Need to reinstall a wehr door- thank you!
Awesome video!!! Loved the explanations and how well you broke it down!! I enjoyed how you showed how all three components work together! 👍🏽👍🏽
Love the advice! Can’t wait to go to work and check my pools!
I don't own a pool and have always been scared of pool parts. This video came up in my recommended and understanding what the components are and how they work makes them less scary.
Except for that 3-foot deep, massive metal skimmer from the early 1970's and Hell!
But not enough to make you dig a hole I bet!? It is a lot of work & $. I wish there were a way to timeshare a pool
@Lino Andrade filters don't start. And don't make noise
I thought you said you were afraid of pool parties.
Most well made pool videos by a mile
Very well illustrated
Great information. Never knew The importance of the skimmer
Oh what the heck, I have no such valve in my skimmer and I've had it run dry more than once - argh! Seems I need to source one, thank you for this video! My weir door is also not floating properly,I suspect the foam is toast. More projects!
EXCELLENT video, may be one of the most over looked functions of a pool right there with Alkalinity
Scott
Aquavit Pool & Spa
So informative, thanks for posting.
I've always wondered about the skimmer "UFO" valve and why a weir is nessary. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
Yooooooo joe
I have been watching pool videos for a week now and this was one of mi favorite videos.
I am designing a pond from a old pool now, originally sealed all skimmer compartments to prevent wildlife entering, making a nest or clogging the system (frog turtles etc). The filtration would be done by injecting the water into the root system of an aquatic plant garden, then it waterfalls back into the pool/pond.
Now that the pool body has been repaired and the pump if draining from the bottom of the pool i see floating stuff and need to decide how and if i want to remove them.
Thanks for the detailed history of skimmers and its components/purpose.
I never knew the importance of the wier for top water flow enhancement. Awesome
Josh, I found your channel today. I've liked there videos already. Never understood all the functions of a weir door. I don't think my pool which I had built ever had a skimmer diverter valve. Maybe I can find one and install it to protect the pump if the skimmer gets blocked. Saw your video on finding pool leaks and how to determine if there is a leak. Excellent videos! Rob
I have had inground pools for many years and was not aware of this information. I always wondered why there were two ports at the bottom of the skimmer, non on my pools have ever had valve in the skimmer and that would have been nice to know about to keep your pump from sucking air when the water level gets low. Thanks.
Thanks for the video! I didn’t know about the vac mate assembly. I was always pulling the suction hose for the pool sweep out so the skimmer would. I’m buying a vac mate now.
Great video.
I inherited a 33x17 inground vinyl liner when I bought this house ten years ago. I figure the pool to be close to 25 years old.
In a previous lifetime I lifeguarded and pool upkeep isn't foreign to me, but your depiction of the B9 skimmer was still helpful and I'd never heard of the earlier model you showed. In my pool though, one outlet in the bottom of the skimmer is capped because there's a dedicated main drain line to the filter and I balance the flows with valves there.
Anyhow, on the topic of skimmers, my comment is more about pool design and some short-sightedness I wrestle with, that maybe someone else can relate to. In my case we're out in the country at 1000' elevation and the winds here have "flag-poled" many of the surrounding trees so we have a prevailing wind from the WNW. Sadly the pool installer placed the skimmer at the upwind end of the pool, so very often I'm out there with the pole and net scooping out debris at the opposite end of where the skimmer is. Fortunately the skimmer does an effective job catching toads and rodents. I found a device that attaches to a pool inlet (one of which I do have at the leeward end) which uses the flow of the returning water to create a venturi effect sucking debris into a net. I'm not here to promote the product so I won't name it, but it is very effective.
And when planning a pool, consider the environment it's being built in.
ABSOLUTLEY. Great insight. Thanks for sharing!
chuck we just bought house with inground pool and so im learning but my skimmer sounds be same as urs one hole other with plug in it any thing u can suggest or tell me on how to run my pool skimmer would be appreciated as im clueless but trying to learn.
@@dumpsterdivingqponqueen9499 - So at the pump you likely have two return lines joined to a valve just where it enters the pump, true? One comes from the skimmer and one from the deep end. That's my case, and 99% of the time I keep the valve in the "On" position halfway between either inlet. The only time I move it to more skimmer is when I'm vacuuming (because the vacuum connects to the skimmer) and I want more suction force.
For the DIYer I strongly suggest visiting poolsolutions dot com and poolforum dot com. Both were started by a very knowledgable pool pro who got fed up with people being fleeced by pool stores (now known as being "pool stored"). I now maintain my pool with chlorine almost exclusively. This time of year I'll give it a heavy dose of algacide too.
@@ChuckD59 ty and yes thats how mine is set but i dont seem to have any suctionin the skimmer basket if i dont close off the bottom drain coming in but i also got huge air buble when i start pump coming out the jet for bout 45 seconds then tames down im wondering if i might have debri in line somewhere but the water does seem to be flowing into pump basket ok
@@ChuckD59 return lines dont come from the skimmer or the main drain
Excellent tips on skimmer maintenance
Absolutely fantastic video!
This is the most helpful video I've seen to date especially since you go through several types of skimmers. I am definitely going to try your recommendations. I have a new pool and my suction isn't great. My contractor basically vanished so I'm on my own. I had a pool company come out and they did get it better but not good enough.
Wow! I'm so deep into pools now that I enjoy pool nerds this one. Who also happens to be a very creative video maker.
Thanks for the vid! I have a 30k gal pool with an attached spa. In the pump house, there are no less than 9 valves of varying types. It took me a very long time to figure out what they do and to get the 'flow' right. Unfortunately, while getting the pool ready for summer a couple weeks ago, I discovered the spa weir door was broken. I didn't realize how important it was for proper skimmer operation. That explains the excessive debris in the spa at the end of the last summer. Just gotta figure out how to fix it now. Cheers!!
Incredibly useful video-thank you
thanks for posting this video, this is a great educational video for ppl with no experience that just bought a house with a pool. GREAT pool skimmer 101.
Excellent! I just bought a house with a pool and I know nothing about it. Thanks for the information
Glad we could help! If you’re not already subscribed, jump on board as we have more videos coming down the pipe
@@SwimmingPoolAZ-SPS coupla good puns there
Great video and I didn"t know most of the material.
Thank you very informative. been trying to understand my strainer. Awsome
God bless you, you family and all the great information you provide. A true professional. Thank you, you’ve helped us out a lot
Very artistic filming for an instructional video, impressive.
After working with my AG pool for 20 years, I have learned that EVERY single component on the pool, motor, filter etc was scientifically designed to work efficiently and for a good reason for optimum performance. I even had wondered why my Hayward's flat skimmer cover had a small hole on top, and there is a good reason for that. and if the pool water level is too low, excess suction and air cavitation can happen at the skimmer. If the water level is too high, the skimmer suction and weir door won't operate efficiently.
I was still not happy with the weak skimmer pull of the top of my pool water.
Still too many bugs, pollen, Etc.
I found if I raised the Weir door up with my fingers just 3/8 to 1/2 inch, it "dramatically increased the waterfall effect" and now the skimmer pulls in pool water from 2-3 ft. out.
You should lift the door just a bit using your fingers and see for yourself...
If you go too much higher, like a full inch, you will see the water level drop in your skimmer housing. You do Not need or want to go up that high.
So now I ordered this Rubber Door stop "Wedge" and inserted it under the door to raise it about 3/8" and keep it there. Works great!
I did drill a small hole in the flat edge of the Wedge to be able to fix it so it dose not fall into the suction line if it came loose during swimming activity. But it really does stay in place.
Shepherd Hardware 9133 Heavy Duty Rubber Door Wedge, Brown.. Only $1.97.
I never knew about the skimmer ufo, good info, thanks!
This information was very helpful. Now just need replace skimmer block to control water.
This is a jewel of a video.
Subbed. Thanks for the skimmer tutorial. We need to repair or replace the weir door. It's just laying down flat.
That was an easy fix. Called the pool company with the part number and had it in 2 days. Easy install.
My style of weir door has a rectangular piece of styrofoam that causes it to float up to a vertical position when the pump is not running. If you have not already purchased a new door, look around for the missing piece or make one from styrofoam packing material you might have laying around and fasten it with adhesive. Check out your other skimmer (if you have one) for comparison.
@@rickj6048 Thanks Rick. Not my pool so another door was ordered and replaced. FWIW, the new door was $48.
Excellent video - I THINK that you know more than 99.9% of pool 🏊 techs- I'm definitely subbing.
I thought that I was the only person who called it a "flying saucer"!! 👽 I THINK my skimmer is a U3 - do they also use the saucer?!
Lastly, thanks for the weir advice. Mine's been broken for years and I THOUGHT it only kept debris from re-entering the Pool at pump shut-off. Are they a DIY install?!
Thanks Charlie! Yeah, Weirs are super easy to install.
Great Video. I have no o-ring on the diverter valve nor the skimmer body. I guess 31 years will do that to a daily used item?
Excellent information, I knew some of it, but there were details I learned.
great information...especially the skimmer diverter valve !!! who knew !
VERY INFORMATIVE! everything explained very well! My pool wont prime and I am afraid I have to have an expert come out. I tried everything and don't want to burn up the motor trying. I know how to fill and bleed the tank and the make sure the basket near the motor has water in before turning on but still nothing. And my HEAT PUMP is reading LP and not one person I called knows how to fix it!
You may have a significant air leak on the suction side. Check out our video on the issue here: Trouble shooting Air bubbles in the pool ua-cam.com/video/PICTJbUaesA/v-deo.html
Very good video. Thank you.
Great explanation!!!
i like that flying saucer one and i also like the Baker skimmers
thank you so many gems dropped
Yes..I resonate with previous comment...excellent video...well done
Great video!👍🏻 I really found it easy to understand and follow. Your detailed explanation is super important and educational tool in order to successfully fine tune my pool skimmer diverted valves. Thanks for the help and expertise! 🥂 Cheers 🍻
Thanks for the good explanation.
Great video. Solving my problem of no bottom drain and no dedicated suction port for the Lil Rebel. Thank you!!
Very informative video thanks a lot! i never understand how the ufo part work now i know thanks again
Fantastic video! I learned a lot. Thank you!
great video,,,learned alot of things
Fantastic video. Thank you for making it.
Great Video
Fantastic and clear thank you. Our holiday pool seems to have a mind of its own as we head down each four days. Some weeks it’ll be filtering well on Auto but some times I will get No Flow even though it’s just on halfway for filler box. I swap and clean my cartridge each weekend too. Appreciate any tips maybe a hair crack in filler as you say?
Amazingly explanatory video of how a skimmer works and how to tune a satellite valve. For the skimmer shown in this video, what is the model number or UPC of the Vac Mate you mentioned, because there are many. Again, excellent presentation and video.
Brilliant video. I’ve learnt so much. Thank you .
Excellent demonstration 👌
Constructive feedback: %75 of water should come from skimmer, %25 from main drain. This is due to the higher temps of the surface water.
And bacteria
I just read almost the EXACT opposite from a search on Google.
@@Kyle-zx1bgtraining a friend of mine went to for aqua cal
Stated the same 75% skimmer 25% main drain
@@lrakwons9799is that controlled by the plastic slider on bottom of equalizer or the main valves? This video states a pencil width opening but I have read half open. Thanks!
@@SeeThroughandLetGo the main valves you’re speaking about is the valves for the suction side of the pump correct? If so that’s what you want to adjust. The plastic slider has me a bit confused, are you talking about the circle thing at the bottom of the skimmer that can block water being pulled through?
I would have loved to have seen how the Weir door is replaced with any tips or tricks to make it pain free. Thanks, great video.
they make spring-loaded replacement doors that you can cut to size with a hack saw
@@cutrara7 I was not aware of that. Do they hold up well after a bit of time? Also, is it cost effective compared to oem replacement?
@@daveleary5830 two of my six skimmers have had replacement weirs for over 3 seasons and have had no problems. they seem to be cheaper than oem, about $15. just google universal skimmer weir, i usually buy from inyo pools
@@cutrara7 The Swimquip 240067 Universal Pool & Spa 8-3/8" Kafko Skimmer Weir seems to be the best fit except that it is 1/4" taller than what I have now(I have 5" and this is 5.25"). It probably won't matter since it's not going to be an exact Rolls Royce fit anyways. Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to get it from Amazon, with Prime it's cheaper than the other guys when you add shipping to theirs.
Thank you for the info. Very detailed.
Great video very informative thank you and God bless!
my stupid weir door don't fit properly.. rahh!! modification time!
been wondering for the last year why the damn skimmer doesn't work properly, this is the first video I've found that explained it.
2 month update, the modification worked perfectly, one linsher machine later, a few tests until it fit properly and lowered all the way down properly.
in the right hand side, about 15mm from the top and 7mm from the bottom on a diagonal and now it works PROPERLY.
which is quite a lot of plastic to grind off the end, then I had to cut and silicone a piece of perspex on the end to make it water tight.
next purchase is a new hose for the automatic cleaner thing. the one I have is so UV perished it just snaps if you handle it too roughly.
ahh the fun of owning a pool.
on the plus side, since I upgraded my roof solar, I had a heap of spare panels to play with and have three in parallel powering a salt cell hanging in the skimmer box, I haven't had to add chlorine in months.
@joseph crosman the filter worked fine, the weir door did not, now it does after some manual adjustment.
@@John-gm8ty the weir didn't fit because you bought the wrong one.
I thought I knew my pool parts and function. I was schooled today. Ordered a new diverter valve and weir door.
I found the vid informational. I have a question, how do I avoid getting or how can I get rid of air that is in the pump housing after installing there regularly that's under the basket?
Thanks! really appreciate your video! New pool owner. My pool was missing things I didn't know I needed!!