Skimmer not sucking, not sure if to open 2nd plug

[LL82]

Hi all,

Totally new to all this. We got the pool open yesterday and the pump is working and moving water, but the skimmer doesn't do anything. We purposely put leaves near the opening to see if it will go in, but it doesn't. Its pretty clear that its not taking any water, so Im not even sure how the pump is moving the water around lol

In the skimmer, we took one plug out. It was a rubber drain plug. However, there is a 2nd hole under that plug (farthest from the opening to the pool) that is a female square plug. Not sure how to take it out or if we should even. Considering the fact that its not sucking any water in, perhaps it needs to be open?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

In most skimmers, the "2nd hole under that plug (farthest from the opening to the pool)" is the suction line that runs to pump. The port closest to the skimmer mouth could be plumbed to an equalizer line (look for a port on the pool wall under the skimmer), a bottom (main) drain, or it could go nowhere. Remove the rear plug and you should get suction.

You can improvise a tool to remove the plug, or buy a specialty or multi "cleanout plug wrench" to remove the plug.

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP!

That’s a mystery. Normally the hole closer to the pool is either connected to the main drain or unused and plugged. The hole further from the pool is the line to the pump for the skimmer. It looks like the threaded plug was installed upside down.

What do the connections to the pump at the equipment pad look like? How many lines go to the pump inlet?

 

[LL82]

Welcome to TFP!

That’s a mystery. Normally the hole closer to the pool is either connected to the main drain or unused and plugged. The hole further from the pool is the line to the pump for the skimmer. It looks like the threaded plug was installed upside down.

What do the connections to the pump at the equipment pad look like? How many lines go to the pump inlet?

Ill try to take a pic later today of that, however it appears there are two lines to the pump inlet. What confuses me is how can water be going into the pump if that 2nd hole is closed? Is it possible there is another drain that I cannot see?

 

[Jimrahbe]

LL,

We need to see the pics of your equipment pad showing us the area around the pipes going into your pump.

Most likely you have a Main Drain and Skimmer input into your pump.. I suspect the skimmer is shut off the the main drain is open, allowing the pump to run.

Thanks,

Jim R.