Add an extra skimmer?

[Intex1857]

I have had my pool construction stop at the plumbing stage waiting for inspection for 3 weeks. Everytime I visit job site start wondering if one skimmer is enough? Pool is 18x38, and I have asked several people and it’s a 50/50 split between those that say one is fine or those that say 2. the job is in Palm Desert so I think it gets windy some times, don’t really know, first time buying a house there

any Definitive answers?. My PB says one but that may be influenced by cost, past practices or

 

[PoolStored]

I have had my pool construction stop at the plumbing stage waiting for inspection for 3 weeks. Everytime I visit job site start wondering if one skimmer is enough? Pool is 18x38, and I have asked several people and it’s a 50/50 split between those that say one is fine or those that say 2. the job is in Palm Desert so I think it gets windy some times, don’t really know, first time buying a house there

any Definitive answers?. My PB says one but that may be influenced by cost, past practices or

There is no definitive answer. I have a 20x40 pool. It had a crack in the skimmer and one skimmer (of 2) was shut down for a year. No main drain, and it worked fine.

If it were me, given what I know, I would ask for 2 skimmers. I would put them so they FACE the prevailing winds for your location. Prevailing winds in Palm Springs is west (Palm Springs Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (California, United States) - Weather Spark). Your skimmer should be on the east wall...this way, the wind pushes detritus to the skimmers.

18x38 is a fairly big pool. Get the 2nd skimmer. My .02 cents.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

My pool was built (before I knew better) with one skimmer and the main drain tied in series to it. And the skimmer was placed NOT in the best location to catch the prevailing wind. Really just the worst layout. If I could do it over again, I would have 2 skimmers at opposing ends of the pool and a main drain all with home runs back to the pad and independent shut off valves at the intake manifold - no diverters.

 

[BDY]

Second the vote for two skimmers in parallel. Mine are in series (i didn’t know to ask any better) and one is the dominant skimmer over the other. At least my main is separate, but i can’t balance the skimmers very well. The pool still works fine just doesn’t take full advantage of a second skimmer if they are tied together.

 

[ajw22]

Nature likes redundancy. We have two of many things.

A second skimmer adds a small cost to a pool and can provide major benefits when you have a skimmer problem.

Just do it.

 

[Oly]

My pool is a similar size, an older build and has only one skimmer on the downwind side. It works at the proper flow rate and while two would require double cleaning I would prefer two simply because it would be more efficient at keeping debris off the surface. There are times when the amount of surface debris is high. Can you plumb in a valve that provides a one or two skimmer option?

 

[flynwill]

I would vote for two as well.
Prevailing wind direction doesn't really help to predict which corner of the pool the floating debris will want to float to, the surrounding buildings, fences, trees, etc make the breeze swirl in very unpredictable manner.

 

[SchubeyDew]

Built my pool a few years ago and the skimmer is at the shallow end. Until the pool has been running for a few hours, the deep end always looks dirty. Go for two. It’s my one regret that I only have one.

 

[BDY]

If you do get a second skimmer try and plumb them in parallel not on series. I have two (i agree it’s very nice to have) they plumbed in series and one is the dominant skimmer over the other now… eg tough to balance them when both are on same line

 

[Intex1857]

I finally convinced PB to put in two skimmers, both will be plumbed seperately
are there an new Skimmer baskets that are substantially better than the old basic basket

 

[Oly]

Hair nets transform all skimmer baskets into micro filters.
Get an extra basket (and hair nets) to make the switch a snap.