skimmer - second hole

[td3201]

Hello,

I'm troubleshooting a leak I have in my pool and I suspect the skimmer. I have one skimmer in my pool. Both holes are open. When I feel into the one that's supposed to be the equalizer, it is filled with sand. I believe it has always been plugged for whatever reason. I bought this pool with the house and I had to get rid of my pool guy.
1. I keep the pool full, I won't need the equalizer?
2. Any reason why this is full of sand?
3. If I want to plug it, should I use a screw or push in plug? I thought the push in was for winterization only but not 100%.
4. How tight to screw the plug if using the screw? Hand tight or use a tool of some sorts (don't want to crack obviously).

Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

Are you sure there is an equalizer function? Do you have a separate equalizer port (hole) under the waterline somewhere, or perhaps a main drain? Sometimes a builder installs a 2-hole skimmer during a build because it was the only option available with no drain. So if there is no main drain they just plug the hole towards the pool. Some drain lines go bad over time. While they will close it off below, they can also plug it at the skimmer end. Perhaps either situation was the case with yours? If so, they probably capped it or something else to seal the unneeded hole. Pools aren't always constructed with an equalizer, so perhaps the sand you are feeling might just have found its way in there over time? You could probably confirm by gently running a snake in there and it should stop fairly quickly if it was capped. If you are concerned and wish to plug it from above for a leak test, you could use any variety of winterizing plug. If you use a screw-in version, just snug should do it.

 

[td3201]

Thank you for the reply. I thought that was the source of my leak and it wasn't. Back to square one.

 

[Texas Splash]

I thought that was the source of my leak and it wasn't. Back to square one.

One thing for sure, where the water level stops that's where your leak is. Perhaps the link below will help. I use the products below as well to help.

Leak Detection

A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[td3201]

It is in the actual skimmer line somewhere. Ugh.

 

[PoolStored]

Pics and a description of your pool In ground, above? will help. I had the same problem.

I found this company here in Ohio. Residential - Pipe Repair Specialists | SPT

They came out with there camera because I thought I had the same problem. Together, we were able to determine that there was a crack in the bottom of the skimmer where the suction line attaches. I was able to fix with Epoxy. They are one of the few companies that I found that can actually reline pool pipes down to 1 1/2" using CIPP (Cure in Place Pipe). You may be able to find someone locally that can do a CIPP repair.