HELP, was our skimmer set too low.

[PoolGate]

Bottom line is there needs to be a gap between the water and the skimmer opening (the opening at the top of the skimmer flap) to allow floating debris to collect in the skimmer. As long as there is some sort of gap, your skimmer should work. But with your pics, it appears that the water level will be at or above the top of the skimmer opening. This is what needs to be clarified. Stand in your pool and look eye level (or use an actual level) into the skimmer where your water level will be and see if there is a gap between the water line and the skimmer.

 

[JamesW]

When the water is at 3/4 of the way up the tile, the water should just touch the bottom of the trapezoidal piece that sticks down from the top inside of the skimmer roof.

If the water is higher than that, make the builder raise the skimmer.

Get a level and put it at the bottom of the trapezoidal piece and then mark where the level is on the tile and show us that.

 

[ajw22]

The skimmer lid can be fixed by a collar raising it. That is a distraction to the real problem.

If you maintain the existing tile and focus the water line relative to the existing tile then the skimmer mouth is misplaced and needs to be raised.

If you add a lower course of tile and reset where the water line can be and remove the plug at the bottom of the skimmer mouth then the skimmer as installed will work.

You need to discuss with the builder if he woudl rather add tile or do an extraction of that skimmer from the concrete. I think adding tile will be easier for the builder then the skimmer surgery.

We have been focused on that one skimmer. Do you have other skimmers in the pool?

 

[JamesW]

I think adding tile will be easier for the builder then the skimmer surgery.

In my opinion, it's irrelevant which is easier.

Do it right. Period. No excuses. No trying to figure out some simple half @ solution.

 

[PoolGate]

Adding another row of tile could make the skimmer work but then you are forever having a pool with a low water level. It will look funny.

 

[ajw22]

In my opinion, it's irrelevant which is easier.

Do it right. Period. No excuses. No trying to figure out some simple half @ solution.

In my opinion a negotiation with the builder will be required. It is good to know what the viable options are going into a negotiation.

I think we should help the OP understand the variety of possible remedy's and the pros and cons of each. Perfection is the enemy of the good. There are a few options that can be good enough.

 

[JamesW]

Your pool builder needs to rip out the skimmer and do it over. Period..

The skimmer gets a collar..... its fine....It’s actually frustrating getting these pics and messages...

It's bad enough that they get it wrong, but it just makes it worse if they're going to be a jerk about it when you raise the concern.

Perfection is the enemy of the good

The job is not good. It's bad.

There are a few options that can be good enough

Good enough is the biggest enemy of good.

The standard should be excellence, not merely good and certainly not "good enough".

 

[ajw22]

It's bad enough that they get it wrong, but it just makes it worse if they're going to be a jerk about it when you raise the concern.

The job is not good. It's bad.

Good enough is the biggest enemy of good.

The standard should be excellence, not merely good and certainly not "good enough".

We will see what her builder thinks about standards of excellence.

The initial interaction is not promising.

 

[JamesW]

The pool builder owner was out today and he was NOT happy when he saw that his crew put in a 90 degree ABS elbow. I told him how I wanted everything such as 3" in and out of the XF pump, fixing the chlorinator and adding a check valve, and putting my 3 led 5g lights on each of their own relays and he was totally fine with all my requests.

This is how the builder from a different build responded to the customer's concerns. This is how you respond. You don't start trying to make the customer feel like a pest.

 

[Liz315]

So I had a good conversation with the other owner. Unfortunately the one owner got COVID and understandably has been not feeling good so me texting him with this is something he wasn’t in the mood for.
The builder promises it’s fine and if for any chance there are any issues with it not skimming properly they will fix it and it actually wouldn’t be a hard fix.
I feel much better and trust it’s fine. Having no reference as to how this all comes together all I wanted was this reassurance, I feel much better.

 

[JamesW]

As long as you keep the water level at least 2.75" to 3" below the top of the tile, the skimmers should work.

Once the water goes above about 1/2 way up the tile, the skimmers will no longer work.

It's your decision if this is acceptable.

There's no easy fix.

 

[PoolGate]

So I had a good conversation with the other owner. Unfortunately the one owner got COVID and understandably has been not feeling good so me texting him with this is something he wasn’t in the mood for.
The builder promises it’s fine and if for any chance there are any issues with it not skimming properly they will fix it and it actually wouldn’t be a hard fix.
I feel much better and trust it’s fine. Having no reference as to how this all comes together all I wanted was this reassurance, I feel much better.

Sounds like he's a smooth talker. It is expensive for him to fix it now. Later, once you have water in the pool and it's essentially done, you will not want to rip it up to fix it properly. He knows this. I wish you luck on this but I think long term if you want a functional skimmer you are going to have to run a low water level.

 

[JamesW]

Later, once you have water in the pool and it's essentially done, you will not want to rip it up to fix it properly. He knows this.

And, at that point, the builder has 99% of their money and you have zero leverage.

 

[jonnyd91]

So I had a good conversation with the other owner. Unfortunately the one owner got COVID and understandably has been not feeling good so me texting him with this is something he wasn’t in the mood for.
The builder promises it’s fine and if for any chance there are any issues with it not skimming properly they will fix it and it actually wouldn’t be a hard fix.
I feel much better and trust it’s fine. Having no reference as to how this all comes together all I wanted was this reassurance, I feel much better.

It sounds to me like he thinks your concern is the circular skimmer body on the outside of the pool being lower than the coping. Hence him saying adding a collar will fix that.
I would reiterate you actual concern which is that the water line will be too high on the skimmer inlet inside the pool. Maybe show him the picture at the top of this page that was drawn up showing the lines.

 

[Winger 03]

James and PoolGate are 100% right. Once you pay, he will forget you were ever a customer. A tear-out and replace can really only be done now before everything is buttoned up. He is interested in getting it done and over in the next few weeks, you have to look at it forever. I am sure this is costing you a lot of money, please do not settle on a "see if you like it and then we can deal with it later" course of action.

 

[ajw22]

The builder promises it’s fine and if for any chance there are any issues with it not skimming properly they will fix it and it actually wouldn’t be a hard fix.

How will you know what is fine?

How will you know if it should work better?

The fact is you probably would not have realized there was a problem if you were not here with us.

I said this would be a negotiation. That is the pool builders way of negotiating and his first offer. Trust him and he will make it right.

After the pool is complete and he has all the money will he make it right to your satisfaction or his?

It is your pool but I suggest you have a discussion with the builder about what "fine" is based on the discussion in this thread about water level, where the water level will be on the tile line, where the water level will be relative to the skimmer mouth and weir door. And document it in writing so when water is in the pool and you can see how it is functioning you can decide if it is "fine" to your standards.

Consider getting a second opinion by a pool builder/professional in your area who can come on site and look at your situation now before plaster is done and water is in your pool.

 

[Winger 03]

Go to his website (it he has one). Look at the photos of pools he completed, see how high the water is relative to the tile, then ask him if you ran your water that high would the skimmer skim properly?

 

[JamesW]

In my opinion, the skimmer should be raised.

Sorry, but it is what it is.

If it was done correctly in the first place, it would not have to be redone.

Do it right the first time.

Don't let them ignore the problem.

Just my opinion.

It's your decision to live with it being wrong forever or getting what you are paying for.

 

[JamesW]

The builder promises it’s fine and if for any chance there are any issues with it not skimming properly they will fix it and it actually wouldn’t be a hard fix.

Did this person come out to check it for themselves?

If they are not willing to fix it now, what makes you think that they will be willing to fix it later?

If there really is an easy fix, they should go ahead and do the easy fix.

Hint: There is no easy fix.

 

[scdaren]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, it's very difficult running into these kinds of problems on such a big investment that you are eager to have completed.

I agree 100% with the others here that this is something you really need to get resolved now. If you wait until the pool is done and full of water, and it remains a problem then (and I think it will), it's going to be even more difficult/expensive to fix, your builder will be even more resistant to fixing it, and you will be in a much worse negotiating position.

One thing you might consider doing is to see if there is anyone in your area who does pool inspections professionally. If you know any realtors, they may know of someone. This could be someone who also does home inspections, but they would have additional training, certification and insurance to do pool inspections. If you can find someone like that, hire them to come out and give their professional opinion. They may also be able to work directly with the builder to advocate on your behalf. This will cost a few hundred dollars, at least, but will be well worth it to get this resolved.

At the very least, make sure you get all this in writing -- documenting that they have heard your complaints about the skimmer at this time, guarantee the skimmer will work properly, and will fix it if it does not.