Rocks in a skimmer

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Z

ZSipz

Member
Apr 6, 2025
8
Dallas, TX
Pool Size
11500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
My 2 year old daughter decided it would be funny to throw 2 of these rocks (not sure of size/shape) into the skimmer while I was emptying its contents.

I have turned the pump off for now, but I would like to know if I am still able to turn it on and use it?

Also how do I try to get the rocks out?
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Welcome to TFP.

Hopefully she choose small rocks.

Turn the pump on and watch the suction and that it primes and flows water. If it does them the rocks should appear in the pump basket.

I think you will be okay.

Show us pictures of what valves you have on the suction side of the pump. The rocks may lodge in a valve and not get to the pump basket.
 
ZSipz said:
My 2 year old daughter decided it would be funny to throw 2 of these rocks (not sure of size/shape) into the skimmer while I was emptying its contents.

I have turned the pump off for now, but I would like to know if I am still able to turn it on and use it?

Also how do I try to get the rocks out?
View attachment 637188
Click to expand...
I had a similar issue.
My set up on suction I have a 3-way valve between the skimmer line and the main drain. So while the pump was on, I surged between the 2 suctions lines by turning the 3 way valve back and forth.

I also had to buy a flexible hose and connected it to my pressure washer. I fed the hose down my skimmer line and jetted as far as it would go. Be careful that you can retrieve it. I tried it on a test piece in my garage and it seemed to pass a 90 deg fitting. I was able to get it past that first 90 deg elbow below the skimmer and was nervous about getting it back up but it did work out. So do this ONLY if you are comfortable.

The surging did help.
The rock finally came up to the elbow before my 3 way valve. I took apart my 3 way valve and able to reach it to turn it slightly and it popped out. I think I was lucky but if the rock is not too large then it may flow up.

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ajw22 said:
Welcome to TFP.

Hopefully she choose small rocks.

Turn the pump on and watch the suction and that it primes and flows water. If it does them the rocks should appear in the pump basket.

I think you will be okay.

Show us pictures of what valves you have on the suction side of the pump. The rocks may lodge in a valve and not get to the pump basket.
Click to expand...

Here are a few pictures of the pool, equipment, and a picture of reference of size of rocks vs AirPod case…

Also, my skimmer has 2 holes (I assume one connect to main drain, the other the pump) and I definitely don’t know which hole it went down…

Is it safe to turn my pump on a lower speed (<1500 rpm) so that I can hear the pool and use it tomorrow OR am I risking damaging my lines and equipment?
 

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ZSipz said:
Here are a few pictures of the pool, equipment, and a picture of reference of size of rocks vs AirPod case…
Click to expand...
You have 1.5” plumbing on the intake. See if you can find a similar 1.5” elbow at the hardware store and see how easy one of those rocks can fit through. Obviously don’t know the exact size but it might tell you whether trying to pull it back to the pad with the pump running has a chance or not. Those look big enough that I might try pushing it back out the way it got in.
 
Yeah, with the smaller lines in the ground you might want to put pressure on the pump side toward the pool to push the rocks back into the skimmer, but they would have to go upward to get there just like they would need to go upward to get to the pump basket.
 
Z,

If you do not have a spa, then looking at your equipment pad tells me that your main drain is plumbed back to your equipment pad.

This means the skimmer hole closest to the water should be plugged.. Often they do this from underneath.. If so, then you have a 50/50 chance that the rock went down the plugged pipe.

If it went down the plugged main drain line, you could lower the water and get it out with a shop vac... Or just not worry about it.. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
Z,

If you do not have a spa, then looking at your equipment pad tells me that your main drain is plumbed back to your equipment pad.

This means the skimmer hole closest to the water should be plugged.. Often they do this from underneath.. If so, then you have a 50/50 chance that the rock went down the plugged pipe.

If it went down the plugged main drain line, you could lower the water and get it out with a shop vac... Or just not worry about it.. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Would I be risking damaging plumbing or pumps if I run the pool as is?
 
Worst case ? A long straightaway with a medium sized rock moving at good velocity doesn't like the next 90 and either shatters it or dislodges it. That's probably not going to happen, but it's possible.

2nd worst case slightly more possible is that it gets clogged somewhere you can't get to.

Better case : they clog in the valve by the pump and you can get to it.

Best case: they land in the pump basket and everyone has a PHEW and a good laugh.
 

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Newdude said:
Worst case ? A long straightaway with a medium sized rock moving at good velocity doesn't like the next 90 and either shatters it or dislodges it. That's probably not going to happen, but it's possible.
Click to expand...
Worst case, the piano falls on your head when you turn on the pump.

Let's get real here.

There is water in the pipe and a rock will not bust schedule 40 PVC.

Yeah, it is okay to turn on your pump. Keep the RPMS low and listen for the rock rattling around.
 
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ZSipz said:
Would I be risking damaging plumbing or pumps if I run the pool as is?
Click to expand...
Z,

Assuming that the rock went down the skimmer pipe, there are two likely outcomes...

1. The rock is small enough to travel all the way into the pump basket.. (This would be great!!)

2. The rock is too large to get through any 90 degree fitting and would cause a blockage of the water flow.. This 'might' prevent the pump from priming or running at full speed.

I don't see where you have any option but to run the pump and see what happens. Either way, I don't see any damage to the pump unless it can't get enough water, and you run it that way for a long time..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
ajw22 said:
Worst case, the piano falls on your head when you turn on the pump.

Let's get real here.

There is water in the pipe and a rock will not bust schedule 40 PVC.

Yeah, it is okay to turn on your pump. Keep the RPMS low and listen for the rock rattling around.
Click to expand...
How low on the RPMs?

What if I needed to run my vacuum…?
 
ZSipz said:
How low on the RPMs?
Click to expand...

What are your normal RPMs?

Something in the 1500-2000 range.

ZSipz said:
What if I needed to run my vacuum…?
Click to expand...
I would not vacuum until it seems clear that the rock(s) are not stuck in the pipes. Water could get around the rocks but if you vacuum the debris may not get around the rocks and you end up with a big clog in the suction pipe.

If we are discussing a pool vacuum that sucks debris through the suction line and pump into the filter this is why I don't like them. It can clog your pipe or pump before debris gets to your filter.

Pool cleaners that capture debris in a separate bag don't cause those problems.

First thing you need to assess is if the rock is blocking any water flow into the pump. Slowly increase the RPM and water flow and observe if the pump is getting normal water in its basket.

Check each diverter valve operation and see if the rock may be blocking one of the ports.

Stop the pump and check the pump basket frequently for rocks.

As Herman described you may want to cycle the suction to try and move the rock along from where it is stuck.

Either the rocks will appear or if things seem to be operating normally, eventually, you will shrug and need to assume the rocks disappeared down the main drain hole.
 
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ajw22 said:
What are your normal RPMs?

Something in the 1500-2000 range.


I would not vacuum until it seems clear that the rock(s) are not stuck in the pipes. Water could get around the rocks but if you vacuum the debris may not get around the rocks and you end up with a big clog in the suction pipe.

If we are discussing a pool vacuum that sucks debris through the suction line and pump into the filter this is why I don't like them. It can clog your pipe or pump before debris gets to your filter.

Pool cleaners that capture debris in a separate bag don't cause those problems.

First thing you need to assess is if the rock is blocking any water flow into the pump. Slowly increase the RPM and water flow and observe if the pump is getting normal water in its basket.

Check each diverter valve operation and see if the rock may be blocking one of the ports.

Stop the pump and check the pump basket frequently for rocks.

As Herman described you may want to cycle the suction to try and move the rick along from where it is stuck.

Either the rocks will appear or if things seem to be operating normally, eventually, you will shrug and need to assume the rocks disappeared down the main drain hole.
Click to expand...
Normally around 2500 for pump usage for a few hours in AM and some overnight, but I’ve been trying to figure out the right way to scale back my RPM and run times (IntelliFlow VS pump +iAquaLink app)…

The vacuum runs at 3000 rpm…
 
Hey all- update on rock situation!

Thanks again for all the help and advice! Ironically- It was actually 3 rocks she threw… but I missed one of the rocks as it was on the bottom of the pool and we were able to use a shop vac after shutting the skimmer off to get the 1 rock out! And the other we were able to get of the pump basket!

“Crisis” averted!!
 
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A grate will prevent this from happening again.

The SP1026 is a great grate for this purpose.

Hayward OEM 1-1/2" Male Pipe Thread Inlet Fitting Grate-SP1026.

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