Does it sound like a good idea to put a skimmer sock over the pump strainer basket while vacuuming?

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anthonypool89

anthonypool89

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Aug 26, 2016
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Berks County, PA
Has anyone done this? I just started using socks in the skimmer, and really like how I'm catching all these small bugs and other debris that I know would otherwise wind up in the filter, and so was thinking that when it's time to vacuum the pool (like very soon) if I don't have something to prevent whatever is on the bottom (dead algae for one thing) from going right into the DE grids, I'm sort of losing a portion of what I'm hopefully gaining from the sock on the skimmer basket.

So, I was thinking of hooking up the vacuum - during which the pump temporarily loses prime till all the air is sucked through the hose - but then once it's primed again and I start getting suction - shut off the pump - move the sock to the pump strainer (or just get a new one to put on), turn it back on, and then catch whatever I vacuum.

The only thing that concerns me is - will the strong rush of water coming into the pump be too much for the sock? Last thing I'd want is for the sock to somehow wind up in the pump impeller or further on into the plumbing (could conceivably wind up in the filter tank I suppose). I deem either of those scenarios pretty unlikely to happen actually. Worst that could happen would probably be the strong pressure might rip the sock. If it works, however, it just seems like a great way to prevent more debris from getting on the grids.

Any thoughts? I figure that if I wait till the pump is primed, there shouldn't be such a strong surge of water coming into the pump as there typically is if I attach the vacuum hose to the skimmer's diverter valve while the pump is running, which is the way I usually do it - and then after about a minute it primes up. I think it's worth a try (?)
 
I tried it. The sock tore but my basket has some pretty sharp corners. Luckily it all stayed in the basket.
 
revitup said:
The sock tore but my basket has some pretty sharp corners.
Click to expand...
Did it tear from what I referred to - a strong surge of water - or just from normal flow coming through the lines? My Hayward pump basket is rectangular (probably most are?) compared to the round one in the skimmer, so I can see where an edge could cause a tear. I wouldn't say mine has sharp corners. Worth experimenting with unless more chime in here and indicate that it's not a good idea.
 
anthonypool89 said:
Did it tear from what I referred to - a strong surge of water - or just from normal flow coming through the lines? My Hayward pump basket is rectangular (probably most are?) compared to the round one in the skimmer, so I can see where an edge could cause a tear. I wouldn't say mine has sharp corners. Worth experimenting with unless more chime in here and indicate that it's not a good idea.
Click to expand...
There is no extraordinarily strong rush of water in my pump other than the normal flow which is pretty strong. I have a single speed pump which runs at a pretty high RPM.
 
Winger 03 said:
Yep, that is the way.
Click to expand...
That's pretty cool! Had never heard of this before. So then I assume this would allow the sock to stay on the skimmer basket and collect everything right there instead of having to mess with the pump?

The first instruction for these calls for filling the hose with water. Does that need to be done or will it self-prime similar to the way I've always been doing it just by hooking the vac hose right to the diverter valve while the pump is running?

This might work really well for me given that the diverter has been somewhat loose for years due to (I suspect anyway) worn threads on the inside of the pipe (it's not a problem with the valve threads cause I've replaced these diverters many times over the years) and so when I vacuum, depending on how the hose turns, it also winds up turning the diverter valve. If too far towards the drain side, of course, I don't get much suction. So this device would elminate that problem. I like this idea better than trying to put the sock on the pump strainer.

Thanks so much...I'll probably pick one of these up. Now all I need is a good vacuum hose that does NOT slide off the head. Ordered one from the pool store last season that they said was a "really good one". Uh-huh. First thing that happened when I used it was....it came right off. As reported here last year I believe, I finally wound up drilling a hole on both sides of the hose end as well as through the head and then I put a long bolt through the whole thing to hold it all together. It's ok, and surely prevents the hose from slipping off, however, with a bolt through the middle of the head's hose receptacle, if there are larger pieces to pick up - they get caught on the bolt - or else a pile of stuff accumulates in and around the bolt. For most vacuuming, however, it's fine but surely I'm losing some suction ability with the bolt in there. My first ever hose lasted nearly 30 years and NEVER once slipped off - the plastic on that was stiffer and...well...it was just made better. What else is new?
 
Last edited:
anthonypool89 said:
That's pretty cool! Had never heard of this before. So then I assume this would allow the sock to stay on the skimmer basket and collect everything right there instead of having to mess with the pump?

The first instruction for these calls for filling the hose with water. Does that need to be done or will it self-prime similar to the way I've always been doing it just by hooking the vac hose right to the diverter valve while the pump is running?

This might work really well for me given that the diverter has been somewhat loose for years due to (I suspect anyway) worn threads on the inside of the pipe (it's not a problem with the valve threads cause I've replaced these diverters many times over the years) and so when I vacuum, depending on how the hose turns, it also winds up turning the diverter valve. If too far towards the drain side, of course, I don't get much suction. So this device would elminate that problem. I like this idea better than trying to put the sock on the pump strainer.

Thanks so much...I'll probably pick one of these up. Now all I need is a good vacuum hose that does NOT slide off the head. Ordered one from the pool store last season that they said was a "really good one". Uh-huh. First thing that happened when I used it was....it came right off. As reported here last year I believe, I finally wound up drilling a hole on both sides of the hose end as well as through the head and then I put a long bolt through the whole thing to hold it all together. It's ok, and surely prevents the hose from slipping off, however, with a bolt through the middle of the head's hose receptacle, if there are larger pieces to pick up - they get caught on the bolt - or else a pile of stuff accumulates in and around the bolt. For most vacuuming, however, it's fine but surely I'm losing some suction ability with the bolt in there. My first ever hose lasted nearly 30 years and NEVER once slipped off - the plastic on that was stiffer and...well...it was just made better. What else is new?
Click to expand...
I always "charge" the hose with water.

Attach vac and pole to the pole
Extend pole and put the vac / hose / pole assembly in the water
Attach skimmer plate to hose
Put in front of a return to fill hose with water / eliminate air
pole / vac / hose assembly will rise up then sink (this is why you want to extend the pole all the way)
put your hand over the hole in the skimmer plate
carry over and stick in the skimmer - you will lose some water but not much if you move fast
 

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My understanding was that you should "prime" the vac hose with water because a large amount of air (like what would fill the space of a vac hose) could damage the filter. Maybe others could weigh in to confirm or deny?
 
I use the skimmer vac plate that James posted. You can use a skimmer sock in the skimmer basket. The main issue is that the skimmer sock will collect the finer dirt that normally would go through the basket grid and on to the filter. That means you have to stop and clean out your skimmer basket more often than if you didn't use the sock.
 
JamesW said:
You never want to vacuum directly into the skimmer pipe because debris can get stuck in the pipe.
Click to expand...
Well, been doing it that way for 32 years though! Never a problem except for one time when a mouse got sucked into the skimmer - and I wasn't even vacuuming. Only reason I'm going to try the plate is because of using a skimmer sock. Otherwise I'd be fine to keep going the way I have been.
 
Winger 03 said:
Attach vac and pole to the pole
Extend pole and put the vac / hose / pole assembly in the water
Attach skimmer plate to hose
Put in front of a return to fill hose with water / eliminate air
pole / vac / hose assembly will rise up then sink (this is why you want to extend the pole all the way)
put your hand over the hole in the skimmer plate
carry over and stick in the skimmer - you will lose some water but not much if you move fast
Click to expand...
Nah...way too much hassle. I'll just let it re-prime as always.
 
Just started using a sock in the skimmer basket this season. I wish I would have been doing it for years. Can't believe how much debris is caught in the sock that used to go into the filter. In answer to your question, as it was mentioned above, use a skimmer plate on your basket and you should have no problem. I use this method when I am manually vacuuming and have had no problem what so ever with the sock tearing in any way.
 
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anthonypool89 said:
The first instruction for these calls for filling the hose with water. Does that need to be done or will it self-prime similar to the way I've always been doing it just by hooking the vac hose right to the diverter valve while the pump is running?
Click to expand...
I suspect if your pump self primed this won’t change anything. My Intex struggles mightily if I don’t pre-fill the hose. I don’t think it’s a self priming pump. So they probably lost this in case the user doesn’t have a self priming pump. In any case filling the hose takes about 5 seconds of holding it in front of a return.

anthonypool89 said:
As reported here last year I believe, I finally wound up drilling a hole on both sides of the hose end as well as through the head and then I put a long bolt through the whole thing to hold it all together.
Click to expand...
Did you try just using a hose clamp?
 
Why not put a leaf canister in your hose section. You can put a skimmer sock in the canister. That way if the sock tear the pump basket will catch it before it goes in the impeller.

Large Capacity Leaf Canister | Hayward Residential and Commercial Pool Products

With its mesh bag and oversized, rugged design, Hayward leaf/debris canisters are designed to capture smaller debris and avoid clogging filtration system.
www.hayward-pool.com www.hayward-pool.com

Or just get a robot. Vacuuming is soooo last century.
 
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