HELP! Skimmer installed, haven’t cut the hole yet, Leaking!

[JeaniB]

So,..last week I replaced all my tubing from 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch. I also trashed the leaking Intex valves that came with my pool and replaced them with double union ball valves. These valves are bulky and heavy, so I had to place them on the floor outside of the pump.
My Hayward Dyna-Skim wide mouthed skimmer arrived yesterday. I was all prepared to install until I actually took it out of the box to prepare and then my brain went to "oh my gosh what if?" What if I cut too much and have to replace my liner? What if the whole side rips out when I make that first cut? What if I screw up and have to drain the pool, replace the liner and start all over again?
So I have taken a deep breath,.and logged on to TFP for support,encouragement, wisdom, and guidance. I have a few questions,

1. How high can I place the skimmer? I want to loose as little depth as possible
2. Do I need to T into my existing inlet port? I was planning to cap it once the skimmer was installed. Is there a reason I would not want to just use the skimmer 100% of the time my pump is running?
3. Since my valve is right before my pump, is there another way to block flow from the skimmer in case I need to fix plumbing?
TIA for your help,..I am going to cut a hole in my pool!

 

[JeaniB]

I have installed the skimmer, but haven’t cut the hole yet. It is leaking very slightly and only has a small amount of water! I had to get into the pool to screw to screws in, I can’t get them any tighter. I’m afraid to cut the hole since it’s already leaking. What else can I try?

 

[Wobblerlorri]

Silicone caulk all around the skimmer and over the screws is your friend.

 

[RMcGirr83]

Take off the face plate and put a good amount of silicone caulk all around the underside of it. Reinstall and screw down. You may have to drop the water a bit depending on the type of caulk you use (use the kind rated for below water line). Something like this. You want a sealant, not an adhesive in case you have to remove it later.

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[Mickelin]

I mounted my skimmer as high as possible. Works great, no water loss. I have a T for two reasons: reduce risk of pump sucking air if water level gets low, and if I want to run the heater when the cover is on.

 

[Blacklisted]

I disagree with the previous comments about silicone, you have to crank the ever living out of the screws to tighten the skimmer. From your picture I can't tell if you split the gasket and put half in and half out of the pool. I can see that there are a few screws that look to be not tight and possibly causing the leak. When I installed my skimmer I had to crank the screws very tight almost thinking the skimmer might brake.

 

[JeaniB]

I disagree with the previous comments about silicone, you have to crank the ever living out of the screws to tighten the skimmer. From your picture I can't tell if you split the gasket and put half in and half out of the pool. I can see that there are a few screws that look to be not tight and possibly causing the leak. When I installed my skimmer I had to crank the screws very tight almost thinking the skimmer might brake.

*** THIS!
All of the videos I watched cautioned about not over tightening as you can easily break the skimmer. The screws were very hard to line up and get started as the holes are not threaded. I ended up getting in my 62 degree pool to have a better view and more strength than I had trying to reach over the pool wall while standing on a stool!
I eventually used a slightly larger screw to "start" the process. I used the big screw without getting it real tight, removed them, then used the screws that came with the skimmer. I spent hours moving from top to bottom and side to side tightening and re-tightening those stupid screws! I did eventually put a bead of silicone around the outside of the skimmer. I also replaced the inlet. As of this morning I had no leak, the basket on my pump is no longer filling with air, much improved water movement and much improved skimming! I have callouses on my hands, sore shoulders, sore wrists and a mild case of hypothermia,.but overall I am happy I cut a hole in my pool!

 

[Pv2]

I don't know if it matters, but you have vaccum hose coming off your skimmer. I have used it for backwash hose but not for suction or pressure (other than actually vacuuming) but I would keep an eye on it as it may not hold up to that kind of use out in the sun for long. I would hard plumb the whole thing or use spa flex hose that glues together like regular pvc. at the very least get some regular pool filter hose.

 

[JeaniB]

I don't know if it matters, but you have vaccum hose coming off your skimmer. I have used it for backwash hose but not for suction or pressure (other than actually vacuuming) but I would keep an eye on it as it may not hold up to that kind of use out in the sun for long. I would hard plumb the whole thing or use spa flex hose that glues together like regular pvc. at the very least get some regular pool filter hose.

I purchased that hose to replace the Intex hose. I purchased it as “ pool pump” tubing. I’ve hated it since I bought it. It was hard to connect to the fittings and I had to caulk the heck out of it to keep it from leaking! I just received 25’ of 1 1/2” flexible pvc,.. guess I have one more project!

 

[Pv2]

oh, it's ALWAYS just one more project!

 

[mariane]

I can't tell: did you use a gasket with your skimmer opening?
If not, that could be the reason you had the leak and had to tighten the screw so tight to stop the leak.

 

[JeaniB]

There is a gasket on each side of the skimmer. After re tightening and a little silicone it no longer leaks.

 

[Casey]

I disagree with the previous comments about silicone, you have to crank the ever living out of the screws to tighten the skimmer. From your picture I can't tell if you split the gasket and put half in and half out of the pool. I can see that there are a few screws that look to be not tight and possibly causing the leak. When I installed my skimmer I had to crank the screws very tight almost thinking the skimmer might brake.

I destroyed my shoulder dealing with my wide mouth skimmer install and getting those screws in. This time, I think I'm going to pre-drill holes in the skimmer box because of it.

 

[JeaniB]

I destroyed my shoulder dealing with my wide mouth skimmer install and getting those screws in. This time, I think I'm going to pre-drill holes in the skimmer box because of it.

Sorry to hear that,..my shoulder and elbow have been sore and achy since installing mine as well! If I were to do it over I too would pre drill holes and use a drill!

 

[jmichaelsk]

I destroyed my shoulder dealing with my wide mouth skimmer install and getting those screws in. This time, I think I'm going to pre-drill holes in the skimmer box because of it.

This is the exact thought I had, after fighting with getting the screws in for way too long.