We don't close our pool, so I use these in Fall and Spring. In addition to being much less expensive than the commercially available skimmer guard, the mesh is much finer and keeps small seed pods, catkins, etc. out of the skimmers.
Materials List (per skimmer):
Collapsible (or Expandable) Colander - Both descriptions are used. There are a variety of brands and designs available on Amazon. I found the ones I used (CWC brand) at Big Lots. Make sure the mesh isn't too small.
(2) 3-foot bungee cords with plastic hooks
Tie-wraps
Instructions:
Set the width of the colander so that the flat part of the mesh is as wide or slightly wider than the skimmer opening. Lock the colander at that width with one or two tie-wraps.
Drill two approximately 1/2" holes in the colander. With the colander positioned over the skimmer and against the coping, the holes should be slightly below the bottom of the skimmer opening and outside the sides of the skimmer opening. The goal is for the bungee cords to center the colander on the skimmer and to rest on the bottom of the skimmer opening to hold the colander up against the coping.
Drill some additional 1/2" holes across the bottom (side) of the colander. Along with the slider slot, these holes will provide an under-the-water "safety valve" to insure water flow in case the mesh becomes clogged with leaves or debris.
Cut one of the (plastic) hooks off each bungee cord. Feed each bungee from the inside of the colander through the hole and seize the end of the bungee cord with a tie-wrap.
Put one or two large rocks or other weights in the skimmer basket to keep the basket from being pulled up. Position the basket handle perpendicular to the coping. Feed the bungee cord hooks through the skimmer weir and hook them over the basket handle.
Tie a knot in each bungee (preferably a figure-eight knot) and adjust the knot so that the colander is held lightly but firmly against the skimmer. The bungee doesn't have to be especially tight, and if it is too tight it will lift the skimmer basket.
Side note - As can barely be seen above, I use Critter Skimmer covers to give frogs, salamanders, etc. an escape path from the pool when the skimmer guards aren't in place.
critterskimmer.com
Materials List (per skimmer):
Collapsible (or Expandable) Colander - Both descriptions are used. There are a variety of brands and designs available on Amazon. I found the ones I used (CWC brand) at Big Lots. Make sure the mesh isn't too small.
(2) 3-foot bungee cords with plastic hooks
Tie-wraps
Instructions:
Set the width of the colander so that the flat part of the mesh is as wide or slightly wider than the skimmer opening. Lock the colander at that width with one or two tie-wraps.
Drill two approximately 1/2" holes in the colander. With the colander positioned over the skimmer and against the coping, the holes should be slightly below the bottom of the skimmer opening and outside the sides of the skimmer opening. The goal is for the bungee cords to center the colander on the skimmer and to rest on the bottom of the skimmer opening to hold the colander up against the coping.
Drill some additional 1/2" holes across the bottom (side) of the colander. Along with the slider slot, these holes will provide an under-the-water "safety valve" to insure water flow in case the mesh becomes clogged with leaves or debris.
Cut one of the (plastic) hooks off each bungee cord. Feed each bungee from the inside of the colander through the hole and seize the end of the bungee cord with a tie-wrap.
Put one or two large rocks or other weights in the skimmer basket to keep the basket from being pulled up. Position the basket handle perpendicular to the coping. Feed the bungee cord hooks through the skimmer weir and hook them over the basket handle.
Tie a knot in each bungee (preferably a figure-eight knot) and adjust the knot so that the colander is held lightly but firmly against the skimmer. The bungee doesn't have to be especially tight, and if it is too tight it will lift the skimmer basket.
Side note - As can barely be seen above, I use Critter Skimmer covers to give frogs, salamanders, etc. an escape path from the pool when the skimmer guards aren't in place.
Shop - Critter Skimmer
critterskimmer.com
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