Could this be causing my suction side leak?

[pypeke]

One picture shows a crack on the top of the skimmer where it touches the concrete. Because it is above the water, could this be sucking in air?






There is also a crack under the water, but it can't be sucking air, can it?







What do I use to seal the cracks? Same product for both cracks?


Thanks for any help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

If it is, then when the pump is running you should be able to see air being sucked into the pipe at the bottom of the skimmer...

Thanks,


Jim R.

 

[pypeke]

Do you mean that I would see air bubbles under the water at the bottom of the skimmer? If so, I don't see any bubbles?

What about the 1st picture? Could air be getting in that way?

How do I seal both of these cracks?

Do I need to remove the water from the skimmer?

thanks

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

Those cracks are going to let water out, but I doubt they will let any air in.

I know they make putty that dries underwater, but I have not used it and have no feedback as to how well it works.

Put "skimmer putty" in the search box in the upper right side of your screen and there seem to be plenty of threads on the subject of skimmer fixing..

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Pic 2 will draw air. AB epoxy, until you take pool out of service for Skimmer Replacement..
btw those would likely not show on a Pressure check- I have run into this situation before.


Looks like an old fox skimmer, a 1084 should fit wall penetration if you can’t source a fox product.

Ray

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ray,

If air were entering at the crack at the bottom of the skimmer, you would be able to see it.. Which he does not..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

I’ve scratched my head on a similar failure in the past, patched cracks & air disappeared.
Even had a clear lexan gasketed observation plate & saw nothing from topside.

I’m willing to bet lunch, that crack is straight through & a crunchy shrunken flex pipe sits underneath.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

I’ve scratched my head on a similar failure in the past, patched cracks & air disappeared.
Even had a clear lexan gasketed observation plate & saw nothing from topside.

I’m willing to bet lunch, that crack is straight through & a crunchy shrunken flex pipe sits underneath.

OP for our amusement, put a male adopter in skimmer to rise port above cracks & let us know of any change in performance.

 

[pypeke]

Poolguy in CT, thank you. So the crack under the skimmer water will draw air? Is that because it is drawing air from underneath the skimmer? Underneath that crack is air which sucks air inside. I had assumed wrong.
You are correct! It is an old Fox pool. When we replace the skimmer, does that mean taking the concrete up to get old skimmer out and new one in? Is this a DIY job? Local plumbers don't understand pool plumbing, and there are no pool companies near us.

"OP for our amusement, put a male adopter in skimmer to rise port above cracks & let us know of any change in performance."

Oh, geez. You went over my head....I know the male/female part, but where do I get an adapter? Does the adapter go IN the skimmer hole or is it a round plate that fits inside the bottom of the skimmer above the skimmer hole?

JimRahbe, Thank you. Is the putty or epoxy clear? Can I purchase at Lowe's? Does the water have to be out of the skimmer before I apply it? My husband is working a lot of overtime so this job will be mine.

thanks again.

 

[pypeke]

I bought the epoxy putty, but I am not sure it is the correct one. Epoxy Bond by Atlas Minerals and Chemicals. Sets under water. 2 part.

However, on their website, it says it is for pool repair for concrete or gunite pools.

Is this the wrong one?

Pool guy in CT...what did you mean? "OP for our amusement, put a male adopter in skimmer to rise port above cracks & let us know of any change in performance."

Oh, geez. You went over my head....I know the male/female part, but where do I get an adapter? Does the adapter go IN the skimmer hole or is it a round plate that fits inside the bottom of the skimmer above the skimmer hole?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ray,

That epoxy should work just fine..

I believe Pool-Guy was thinking that air was coming into the suction line through the little cracks you see at the bottom of your pic with the red arrows. By temporarily adding a small extension, the air could not be sucked into the skimmer pipe right next to the crack. It was just a test to see if the crack is where air is entering your system..

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Ray,

That epoxy should work just fine..

I believe Pool-Guy was thinking that air was coming into the suction line through the little cracks you see at the bottom of your pic with the red arrows. By temporarily adding a small extension, the air could not be sucked into the skimmer pipe right next to the crack. It was just a test to see if the crack is where air is entering your system..

Jim R.

Bingo - on creating a riser for test purposes.

Fox skimmers usually blow their whole bottoms out. Meaning when you back of the threaded fitting underneath, don’t be surprised if the female port pops off too.

If your crafty an sp1084 can replace a fox. You will have to make new screw holes ( just 2 I think)
In faceplate, panel & skimmer.

Fox is a proprietary line, I have never looked online for there goods, so maybe an easy order or not.
They do a great job protecting their dealers.



& that 2 part epoxy should do the deed.