Skimmer installed correctly?

[missabyss]

Hi, new pool owner. Was checking our skimmer to see if it has a flap thing because leaves come out of the skimmer when the pump turns off. No flap but saw this view looking from pool in towards the skimmer. I read somewhere that water should be halfway up the pool wall skimmer opening, but looking at how short the inner opening is, wouldn't that restrict the flow?

Also I'm assuming that gap above the horizontal top plastic part of skimmer should be sealed?

I've found "interesting" DIY work done on this house, so looking for a sanity check on if this skimmer was installed properly. The numbers "8650-17" are printed on bottom of skimmer. Many thanks.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You are asking about the skimmer weir door.

What you have looks like a DIY hack.

8650-17 says you have a Pentair U3 Swimqup skimmer. See if your skimmer looks like this...

U-3 SwimQuip Inground Skimmers

Our skimmers are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards of precision and quality to minimize installation time and maximize satisfaction.

www.pentair.com

Amazon.com

Skimmers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

The skimmer looks like it is set too low.

Was a renovation done at some point?

You should have a weir.

 

[missabyss]

The skimmer looks like it is set too low.

Was a renovation done at some point?

You should have a weir.

Too low makes sense. That would explain why the mortar comes down so far from the top. What is the impact on skimmer functionality?

Yes someone did renovations at some point, but no info was passed on from prior owners. Attached hot tub wall removed, pool heater removed, solar pool heating removed, and based on pool age it was resurfaced at some point.

Weir, that's the word I was looking for thanks. Ok I'll look to see if the attachment points are there and accessible before ordering a replacement.

 

[JamesW]

What is the impact on skimmer functionality?

The red line is typical fill for the skimmer and the blue line is typical fill for the tile.

So, you have to compromise and use the red line, which is not ideal for the tile elevation.

 

[missabyss]

Welcome to TFP.

You are asking about the skimmer weir door.

What you have looks like a DIY hack.

8650-17 says you have a Pentair U3 Swimqup skimmer. See if your skimmer looks like this...

U-3 SwimQuip Inground Skimmers

Our skimmers are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards of precision and quality to minimize installation time and maximize satisfaction.

www.pentair.com

Amazon.com

View attachment 616774

Skimmers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Yes thanks, that looks like what I have.

Any specifics on what you see that makes it a DIY hack?

 

[ajw22]

Any specifics on what you see that makes it a DIY hack?

Looks like a homebrew fixed flap and not the weir door from Pentair.

 

[missabyss]

Finally getting back to this. I bought a Pentair Weir Door 08650-0022 and when I went to install it, I see what looks like the remains of the prior door (bottom section). Please see picture.

Watching a video on Youtube on how to install this, it said to pry the prior door bottom section up with flathead screwdriver. I tried this but it doesn't want to come out. The ends come up a little bit, but the middle section doesn't budge. Is it possible it's stuck because it got mortar/grout/cemented in there?

7th

 

[Lake Placid]

Leave the bottom bracket in place. The weir door itself will snap into the clips that are already there. You may do more damage than you want trying to remove the bottom piece with the clips on it.