Going away for a week...ideas needed

Jump to latest Follow Reply
R

run53

LifeTime Supporter
May 4, 2010
410
heading away for a week in May and in New England, we have all sorts of Crud coming down from the trees this time of year. My concern is the skimmer baskets and/or pump basket getting clogged enough to hinder the pump operation as I have no one to watch the pool for me when gone.

I was thinking of coving the (2) skimmers with a piece of screening to limit the amount of debris entering the skimmer basket. Stuff may accumulate in the pool in front of the skimmer but assuming the water level is high enough, the water should flow beneath the debris into the skimmer. Also, when the pump shuts down, I assume the debris will spread out over the pool as there will be no suction. I know that would result in a messy pool when I get home, but I'd rather deal with the stuff in the pool rather than a blown pump because of skimmer basket/clogging up. Anyone tried anything like this?
 
There are a few products on the market designed for such a purpose. Below was my simple attempt to keep people from getting in the way of my suction water flow, but it also helped to keep simple surface debris away from the skimmer. It would be even better if I attached a pool noodle to it. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

Skimmer Guard?

I'm looking for something on the market that will block my Kreepy Krauly hose from getting sucked into the skimmer entrance. It blocks the flow and makes this horribly loud "slurping" sound. I've tried fabricating things out of plastic, and am contemplating building something out of fiberglass...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88
Thanks for the idea and link to the other threads Texas. Great potential solutions in there.

While going through all of them I had a thought......What if there was a way use my vacuum hose to cover my skimmer and then just leave the other end of the hose in the pool under water? that way the skimmer will always be pulling from below the water line. Can anyone shoot holes in that theory or know how that might be a bad idea?
 
Do you have a main drain? Can you just shut off or dial the skimmers way down and switch to mainly the main drain?

Using the vacuum in the skimmer doesn’t do any skimming and only does water flow which is the same you would get with just going primarily with main drain

Unless i missed something?
 
I'm not looking to do any skimming. Just want to make sure I get good water flow while I'm gone. I'll deal with a messy pool when I get back.

Good point with the main drain. I have no way of isolating the main drain with valves. Although I remember doing an experiment by plugging the skimmers with gizmos and I seem to recall my pump had trouble pulling enough water from just the main drain with both skimmer plugged. I think I will have to do that experiment again tomorrow since I can't remember the results.
 
My other idea is to fill the water such that the level is above the skimmers. That way the stuff floating on top should bypass the skimmer and eventually sink. This would require adding about 3" of water tho....might be a little costly
 
run53 said:
Thanks for the idea and link to the other threads Texas. Great potential solutions in there.

While going through all of them I had a thought......What if there was a way use my vacuum hose to cover my skimmer and then just leave the other end of the hose in the pool under water? that way the skimmer will always be pulling from below the water line. Can anyone shoot holes in that theory or know how that might be a bad idea?
Click to expand...
While I’ve never tried it, using the vacuum hose sounds logical. I’d be sure to try it out before you leave to make sure you don’t get any surprises. Might need to weigh it down so that it doesn’t float when the pump shuts off.

Your signature shows a mesh cover. Assuming you’ll leave it on to aid in keeping debris out? That and my SWCG are what allow me to leave for multiple weeks without real concern. I’ll have someone empty skimmer baskets once a week. We have lots of trees surrounding the pool and in the spring and fall, all kinds of stuff drops, so I understand what you’re dealing with.
 
jark87 said:
While I’ve never tried it, using the vacuum hose sounds logical. I’d be sure to try it out before you leave to make sure you don’t get any surprises. Might need to weigh it down so that it doesn’t float when the pump shuts off.

Your signature shows a mesh cover. Assuming you’ll leave it on to aid in keeping debris out? That and my SWCG are what allow me to leave for multiple weeks without real concern. I’ll have someone empty skimmer baskets once a week. We have lots of trees surrounding the pool and in the spring and fall, all kinds of stuff drops, so I understand what you’re dealing with.
Click to expand...
Yes I do have a mesh loop loc cover but I was trying to avoid putting that back on for the week I'm gone. I'm beginning to realize I may need to bite the bullet and put it on for the most protection.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply