Skimmer Crack Repair

[ajw22]

I cleaned the black scum off the side of my skimmers with a Magic Eraser and saw this developing crack in one of them. The crack is above the normal water level and it does not seem to be leaking.

I am not surprised. It is a 20+ year old Hayward skimmer.

@1poolman1 @wireform @Lake Placid i have Plast-aid and Pool Putty. Which would be the best to put over the crack?

 

[Lake Placid]

I’d opt for the plast aid or JB water weld. While I've used the epoxy bond product, I believe it's primarily formulated for gunite/cementous repair applications which is where I've used it. The good news is it appears your crack is not in a normally water bearing area, so you're looking to fill the crack and prevent it from spreading more. I'm unsure of the consistency of the Plastaid when mixed, but I know the water weld would really allow you to press it/fill it into the crack well.

 

[ajw22]

I'm unsure of the consistency of the Plastaid when mixed, but I know the water weld would really allow you to press it/fill it into the crack well.

The crack is not at all open. I can feel it when I run my finger nail across it. My hope is the Plast-aid will bond to the skimmer plastic and keep the crack from spreading.

Thanks.

 

[JamesW]

The crack definitely looks open.

The surrounding area looks like a lot of stress cracks.

I would use PC-11 or maybe Plast-Aid.

 

[PoolStored]

If it does not work, try the pool putty. As @Lake Placid indicated it is sold as a cement/gunite product. Not knowing that, I used it to repair my skimmer in 2020. I prepared the surface by lightly sanding and molded it to the skimmer over the crack. It has held for 3 years, I expect it will last a long time.

 

[JamesW]

Pool Putty and JB WaterWeld will work well enough.

 

[ajw22]

If it does not work, try the pool putty.

Well I am trying to get the right product used the first time. By the time I see it hasn't worked it will be much further along.

As @Lake Placid indicated it is sold as a cement/gunite product. Not knowing that, I used it to repair my skimmer in 2020. I prepared the surface by lightly sanding and molded it to the skimmer over the crack. It has held for 3 years, I expect it will last a long time.

So far I have 1 vote for Plast-aid, 1 for PC11, and 1 for Pool Putty. It is about as clear as I expected.

 

[ajw22]

The crack definitely looks open.

Sure does.

The surrounding area looks like a lot of stress cracks.

I have a brick paver deck and the ground has settled and moved over the 24 years. I am not surprised at the stress. It is hard to lock in nature.

 

[JamesW]

PC-11 spreads easily and can cover a wide area.

It is thick and spreads like creamy peanut butter.

It holds up well.

I would do it dry and use a lot of PC-11 and maybe coat the whole top part.

 

[JamesW]

 

[ajw22]

OK, I have lot's of stuff in my workshop but never seem to have the right stuff.

Off to add PC-11 to the cabinet.

 

[Bperry]

Not a fan of the pool putty except when the crack is already under water. Id go for one of the others since its above water.

 

[PoolStored]

Not a fan of the pool putty except when the crack is already under water

Yeah, that is why I chose it, it was underwater...great point.

 

[JamesW]

Lower the water level and do it dry.

 

[1poolman1]

PlastAid. It solvent welds to the skimmer body.

I cleaned the black scum off the side of my skimmers with a Magic Eraser and saw this developing crack in one of them. The crack is above the normal water level and it does not seem to be leaking.

I am not surprised. It is a 20+ year old Hayward skimmer.

@1poolman1 @wireform @Lake Placid i have Plast-aid and Pool Putty. Which would be the best to put over the

 

[PoolStored]

Sounds like Survivor...One vote PlastAid, one vote Pool Putty, one vote PC-11.

Who gets voted off? Only @ajw22 knows...

 

[ajw22]

Plast-aid got the call from the bench.

I roughed up the area with my Dremel.

Mixed the Plast-aid. The working time was shorter than I expected. It was hardening as I spread it on with a finger.

While I had it out I fixed a vertical crack in the skimmer basket.

Looks like good stuff. First time I used it.

 

[1poolman1]

Plast-aid got the call from the bench.

I roughed up the area with my Dremel.

Mixed the Plast-aid. The working time was shorter than I expected. It has hardening as I spread it on with a finger.

While I had it out I fixed a vertical crack in the skimmer basket.

Looks like good stuff. First time I used it.

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I've been using it for over 10 years. I've also used it to repair those baskets that got holes in the bottom and they are still good.