Mystery Skimmer

[johntafshar]

I have a skimmer that doesn't look quite right, but I'm not sure what the skimmer is.

The biggest issue looks like it's a pipe that's been ... clogged? Sabotaged? I'll let the pic speak for itself, but it's the hole with the crumpled looking PVC in it.

The second issue, and the one that I was originally concerned about, is that I need a weir door. I hopped in the pool today (still chilly!) but there are no markings that I could see / feel on the skimmer faceplate. The cover doesn't appear to be original, and there are no markings on it. The basket is not original, but fits an 8" basket. I don't see any other markings on any surfaces. I got a vacuum faceplate for a Hayward SP1106A that seems like it fits fine. The space for the weir door is about 8" across, and it looks like it would just fit with some pegs into holes.

Two questions:

1) Would a generic weir door work if I can find one for the space?

2)Does the plugged hole indicate that I need a whole new skimmer? If so, any idea what skimmer this is? It seems like it's working OK with just one hole, but without a weir door the skimming function is somewhat limited, and I'm not really sure what that other hole is used for. It does seem to work fine with a vacuum plate on it if I try to manually vacuum the pool.

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

It is not at all unusual for a skimmer to have two holes... In older pools the hole closest to the pool is plumbed to the main drain and the hole farthest from the pool is connected to the pump.

When the main drain is connected back to the equipment pad, the hole in the skimmer is plugged.

I can't tell from the pic what is what, but the deformed pvc could be part of a suction cleaner adapter or ???

Is this your only skimmer, or do you have two of them??

As far as the weir door, you have to measure the width and height and then find a universal door that will fit inside those dimensions.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Looks like you only have 2” from the throat to cantilever form tailing?
If so skimmer was set way to high & throat missed???

 

[johntafshar]

It is not at all unusual for a skimmer to have two holes... In older pools the hole closest to the pool is plumbed to the main drain and the hole farthest from the pool is connected to the pump.

I can't tell from the pic what is what, but the deformed pvc could be part of a suction cleaner adapter or ???

Is this your only skimmer, or do you have two of them??

As far as the weir door, you have to measure the width and height and then find a universal door that will fit inside those dimensions.

The open hole goes to the pump, and gets suction. There's no suction on the clogged hole, although the center of it doesn't seem to be entirely closed off. It could possibly go to the main drain?

I'm not sure what the deformed PVC is from. It looks intentional, in that it is mostly flush with the rest of the pipe, and seems cleanly cut rather than broken off somehow. It is stuck in there pretty good - I haven't taken needlenose pliers to it or anything, but it's certainly not moving by finger strength.

I just have this one skimmer.

I'll check the height, too, and get a generic door if the whole thing doesn't need replaced

Looks like you only have 2” from the throat to cantilever form tailing?
If so skimmer was set way to high & throat missed???

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean here?

 

[guinness]

It could be a Swimquip U-3 skimmer. If possible try and take a photo of the inside of the skimmer for any markings like the attached photo.

Sta-Rite / SwimQuip U-3 Parts - INYOPools.com

Sta-Rite / SwimQuip U-3 - INYOpools.com has the largest selection of swimming pool and spa replacement parts with over 70,000 parts in stock. Order today and save!

www.inyopools.com

 

[johntafshar]

It could be a Swimquip U-3 skimmer. If possible try and take a photo of the inside of the skimmer for any markings like the attached photo.

Possibly, though the pictures of the weir door on Inyo don't look like they would match up.

I've looked around for markings and didn't see any, but the water level is a little high. I'm letting it evaporate out about an inch or two, which should give me a better look into the mouth of the skimmer, and possibly will allow me to get my phone in there for some better pictures.

 

[guinness]

IIRC I couldn't see markings without taking a photo. Also you're probably missing the float valve assembly.

 

[johntafshar]

IIRC I couldn't see markings without taking a photo. Also you're probably missing the float valve assembly.

Yes, there's certainly nothing like that in there.

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

If we assume that the hole near the water goes to the main drain, there would be not suction and for all practicality your main drain is not functional.. In the big picture thousands of pools work just fine without a main drain.. I would not go to any trouble to fix it, as you really won't be able to tell the difference in the operation of your pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[johntafshar]

Sounds good. Thanks, Jim!

 

[johntafshar]

Here's a better picture of the inside of the skimmer door. I don't see any markings. The tabs at the bottom seem less common - most weir doors I see have holes on the assembly that tabs on the weir door slot into.

Possibly related, one of the drain covers on the bottom of the deep end came off. When I fished it out, it had markings:

American Products
No Hollywood CA 91605
PAN 71011

There's also some kind of hazard warning printed saying the plate must be screwed down, but it's hard to make out. In a different thread there was was some speculation that my pool had been painted, and given the state of this cover plate I'd say that's right - it looks like it was painted over.

 

[mknauss]

Try InyoPools. They can find all kinds of odd parts.

 

[johntafshar]

@InyoRob Any thoughts on which door this might be? Dimensions seem to be 8.25" x 6" or 6.25". I ordered this weir door off Amazon, but the spring loaded rods on the bottom don't push further in, just out, and it's a touch too wide. I was going to email InyoPools directly, but figured the pictures might be helpful and I couldn't include them in the form.