Anyone have trouble with installing a skimmer above the weld line on an Intex pool?

[Transy416]

Split from Thru Wall Skimmer Install. Above Seam & With Intex Hoses
I’m considering installing a skimmer above the seam as well. Has anyone experienced any problems with the integrity of the liner due to cutting through the welded seam?

 

[cowboycasey]

Mine has been fine for 9 years.. This winter during the massive freeze it seems it is starting to crack.. so 9 to 10 years it will be fine

As you can see I put the screws through the seam and the top of the skimmer right at the seam...

2016-06-05 08.45.16.jpg

• cowboycasey
• Sep 12, 2020

 

[Pv2]

Split from Thru Wall Skimmer Install. Above Seam & With Intex Hoses
I’m considering installing a skimmer above the seam as well. Has anyone experienced any problems with the integrity of the liner due to cutting through the welded seam?

no, these liners are pretty tough. the top screws of mine are in the welded seam.

 

[jseyfert3]

On my pool I couldn’t put the skimmer high enough to cut the welded seam for the opening, but my top screws certainly went through the welded seam. Pictures here:
Post in thread '26' Intex - Planning, Install, Upgrades, and Landscaping Thread'
26' Intex - Planning, Install, Upgrades, and Landscaping Thread

 

[jonahex2099]

I just did mine with the top being about an inch up into the seam and it was totally fine. No leaks and was a much needed improvement. I had over the wall skimmers and they were annoying.

 

[Transy416]

Thanks for all the replies and information. Great link jseyfert3.

In this thread, post #7 shows the skimmer being installed pretty high. The screws appear to be about 1” above the seam, which is at a section where the sleeve separates to go around the tubing that holds the liner up. Seems like that’d be a lot of tension on the liner, but it appears to have worked fine.

Above or below seam.....what is the concenus

Whats the standard as far as installing a Hayward skimmer on an intex pool goes....above or below the gray seam? Anyone have pics of their above seam setup?

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[cowboycasey]

the problem with that one is the water will come out the sides just above that line, 1 inch above the water line.. notice the water is right at the middle of the skimmer, that is the least amount of water you want in the pool, you really want the water an inch above that but it can not because it would overflow...

 

[Transy416]

Good point. I like to keep our water right where the grey begins, or slightly above it. We do get a little splash out from time to time, but not a ton.

I thought the water level should be about 1/3 to 1/2 way up past the bottom of the skimmer. So what happens if the water goes below the half way point of the skimmer? And on the contrary, what water level would be considered too high in relation to the skimmer?

 

[cowboycasey]

with the water below the half way mark on the skimmer allows air to get pulled into the pump.. This could allow the pump to lose prime and kill itself over a day.. That is one of the first things we ask when someone says they have air in the pump lid, is the water level 60% to 75% level in the skimmer.. It can create a vortex/tornado in the skimmer if below 50% level..

 

[Schnozz]

Mine too was set as high as I could get above the welded seam. I lowered the water level about 2" below the skimmer and cut the hole before actually mounting the skimmer so I didn't have to split the butterfly gasket. It was no problem at all. I used Pool Lube inside and outside of the gasket to be safe. The water level is a bit low in the image on the right. When full, the water level is just under the gray seam. No issues at all with the pump sucking air on low speed or high speed.

 

[JeaniB]

Mine is fine after two years. The only problem I have is a very fine line for the water level. If it gets too high it doesn’t skim properly. If it gets too low, my 1.5hp pump will suck dry.

 

[Transy416]

Thanks for all the skimmer pics. I guess the benefit of JeaniB’s wide skimmer is that it can be placed a little higher, but the drawback is there’s less latitude in terms of water level compared to the square skimmers?

Could the square skimmer be placed at the same height as JeaniB’s skimmer, and the water level kept at the border of the blue amd grey? Or would the square skimmer not function properly with water at that height?

I suppose one solution to JeaniB’s issue if the water level gets too low for the skimmer would be to have a separate suction line? Would that solve the issue of the pump sucking dry in the event the water level drops too low for the skimmer?