Overflow and water level

[smithj51]

Hi all! New pool owner here with 2 questions.
1. Shouldn’t the water level always be below the top of the skimmer? My understanding is the skimmer works to skim and clean the surface of the water, so if the water level is higher than the top or the skimmer, it can’t and won’t do it’s job.
2. Where the heck is the overflow mechanism? I’ve been instructed to vacuum it to make sure it’s not clogged (or to unclog it if it is) and I have no idea how. I have a fiberglass pool, so I assumed the overflow opening/pipe would be in the skimmer but I don’t see it.

I did email the pool company about the water level and lowering the overflow and their response didn’t really make sense to me (English is not their first language, please be kind). This is what they said:
“If the water level of the Pool was good and the overflow was working fine Prior to this Rain Season , you don’t need it to adjust , however the overflow sometimes get clog , you need to cleaned every 2 months or so, you can used the vacuum to suction the Pipe, if we cut the overflow when dry season came we need to adjust one more time because the evaporation is intense as well and you are going to loose to much water on the pool”

Thanks in advance!

 

[PoolStored]

Water level should be maintained at 50% up the skimmer opening.

Have them come and show you where it is and how to clean, and adjust one more time if needed. They offered.

 

[smithj51]

Water level should be maintained at 50% up the skimmer opening.

Have them come and show you where it is and how to clean, and adjust one more time if needed. They offered.

Thanks! But they didn’t really offer, they said if they lower it now they’ll have to raise it again after summer (which is what didn’t really make sense to me).

 

[PoolStored]

If they come out to lower, you will know where it is and how to raise and lower.

Look around your waterline and in the skimmer mouths and the back of the skimmer for a little grate..

 

[smithj51]

If they come out to lower, you will know where it is and how to raise and lower.

Look around your waterline and in the skimmer mouths and the back of the skimmer for a little grate..

View attachment 599853

Oh interesting! I had no idea it was truly adjustable, I thought it would be like a sink or bathtub where it’s established in the plumbing and would basically require construction to change. Thank you for the photo!

 

[PoolStored]

The grates are just one type. I have no idea what he installed. Just giving you ideas to progress.

Do you have an autofill? Check in there.

 

[smithj51]

The grates are just one type. I have no idea what he installed. Just giving you ideas to progress.

Do you have an autofill? Check in there.

Understood, thanks! No, no auto fill and I don’t see any kind of pipe or grate near water level around the pool or in the skimmer. I’ll have to check in the skimmer mouth tomorrow

 

[PoolStored]

Yeah, be a sleuth...I bet you find it...

 

[PoolStored]

There are three places for an overflow that I am aware of.

A grate in the tile line
A knockout in the skimmer housing
A knockout in the autofill housing

 

[smithj51]

There are three places for an overflow that I am aware of.

A grate in the tile line
A knockout in the skimmer housing
A knockout in the autofill housing

Thanks for all your replies! Hopefully I’ll find it in the skimmer mouth tomorrow, but if not the pool company is good at replying (just not always crystal clear on the communication)

 

[smithj51]

I’m at a loss! I can’t find an over flow / auto drain pipe or opening anywhere!!

 

[PoolStored]

Dunno. Ask the builder...

 

[smithj51]

Okay so I have two holes inside the skimmer, one with suction (for skimming / vacuuming) and one without (feeds the over flow outlet). The overflow outlet is like a mushroom cap in the grass with a grate on top. By attaching one end of the vacuum hose to the non-suction hole in the skimmer and the other end to a jet, I know the overflow is working because water shot out of the “mushroom cap.” Idk how it works but I’m assuming adjusting is not something I can do. Think I need the pool company to respond.

Based on their original email response they don’t want to lower it because they think they’ll have to raise it again after summer. Should I ask them to lower it anyway? I don’t want my pool skimmer to be useless all summer because of rainy season… especially because the rain is the main thing that brings debris into the pool.

 

[PoolStored]

Based on their original email response they don’t want to lower it because they think they’ll have to raise it again after summer. Should I ask them to lower it anyway? I don’t want my pool skimmer to be useless all summer because of rainy season… especially because the rain is the main thing that brings debris into the pool.

There is no changing it for the season. It should be corrected to maintain water at 1/2 way up the skimmer. If you have too much water, it should drain it to 1/2 up the skimmer. If you don't have enough water because of evaporation, you add water.

 

[smithj51]

There is no changing it for the season. It should be corrected to maintain water at 1/2 way up the skimmer. If you have too much water, it should drain it to 1/2 up the skimmer. If you don't have enough water because of evaporation, you add water.

Right I’m not looking to adjust it seasonally. I just wanted to make sure I’m right about wanting to lower it when their email implied I shouldn’t. But it definitely needs lowered! Thanks for confirming.