Skimmer Leak?

AmberLa

New member
Apr 13, 2025
2
louisiana
Pool recently started leaking. This skimmer is inline with our two bottom drains, also. Our water feature, which pulls from the ottom drain has also stopped working in the same time frame. I have leak detection scheduled for Friday, but in the meantime I have the bottom drain and this skimmer shut off. I am just running the pump on low and using the other skimmer to circulate. When I open either the skimmer or the bottom drain valves, I get small bubbles out of the returns, too. The pool has lost about 1.25 inches of water in a week since I shut the skimmer and the drain lines off. Ground is soggy right behind the skimmer and then further down the slope. If you had to guess, would you assume it's a skimmer leak or a break in the plumbing underground?
IMG_3159.jpg
 
Looks like a plumbing problem.

A skimmer leak would not flow out to the ground like that.

Trench down along the soggy line with the skimmer and drains open and follow the mud.
 
I would guess, the leak is at the skimmer, based on where you are seeing soggy ground. Take a close look around skimmer and in it to see if you can spot any cracks. Might be able to patch them.

On the plus side if it's a line or fitting break near the skimmer, there is a good chance it can be fixed without messing with the concrete.