Leaves in skimmer

[rrwcm]

During the final weeks of the season I find myself emptying leaves from the skimmer hourly trying to keep the water circulating properly (esp important with a chlorine generator). This becomes a bigger problem when I must be away from home for a day or two. I don't want to cover the pool this early in the fall... the weather is so beautiful and even though the water is too cold to swim, I really enjoy sitting outside next to the water. So I decided to try to rig something to keep the leaves from getting in the skimmer basket. This way, I can quickly bag the leaves from the surface a couple of times a day and still enjoy the pool.

I've enclosed (attached) a photo of a simple leaf guard I made and attached to my pool skimmer. I made it from a metal mesh screen which I know will quickly corrode. I am also concerned about metal getting into the pool water. But, as a proof of concept, it does what I need.

Question for the group - is there a better way? Anyone know of a commercial product to do the same thing?

 

[HarryH3]

Perhaps making one from some of the plastic leaf guards for gutters would work?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... ogId=10053

 

[DLSDO]

Here is my solution.

homemade-leaf-filter-t3459.html?hilit=dlsdo

 

[rrwcm]

Thanks for your suggestions. Looks like there may be a market for a commercial version... something that wouldn't corrode, snap in/out easily, and not injure a swimmer who happens to bump into it. Maybe PoolSean will pass this on to his contacts.

 

[Butterfly]

Hi rrwcm and welcome to the forum!

My leaf guard is a 14x24 plastic grid that DH had stashed in the garage. He saves/recycles just about everything.

I tied a nylon string to the top of the grid (put a paver on top of the string to hold it deckside) and tied a water filled bottle to the bottom to hold it in place. It lies flat against the pool wall covering the skimmer.

It does a fantastic job of keeping the leaves under control, but it does look a bit tacky!

....and, DLSDO

Perhaps we'll get some more ideas!

Thanks for starting this thread :lol: