Water levels, relative to the skimmer.

[RexO]

Hi All, first time pool owner and the pool is about 6 months old now. I have always heard that you should keep the water level at the midway point of your waterline tile. My skimmer opening starts about 2 inches below the tile, so I have interpreted this guideline to mean keep the water level about midway up the height of the skimmer opening. My skimmer opening is 6 inches tall, so I normally keep the water about 3-4 inches as measured from the bottom of the skimmer opening. It’s is actually pretty nice because it highlights the waterline tile. I add water when I see the water level drop close to 2 inches from the bottom of the skimmer opening.

Is my thinking correct on the proper water level for effective skimming.

I live in Florida and we often get a couple of days in a row of heavy rain, followed by blistering heat for several days in a row. So, the water lever can get pretty high quickly, but really hate to drain pool water because when the sun and heat comes back, the water will start evaporating and return back towards normal water levels in a few days.

This weekend, after heavy rain the water is up the the top of my skimmer box. Again, I am reluctant to flush a couple of inches of water out.

Is it Ok to continue running the pump with the water to the top of the skimmer opening. It is still pulling water into the basket. Or, should I just go ahead and flush 1-2 inches of water?

I appreciate any insight.

 

[Chasarms]

It’s still circulating. It just won’t skim anything off the top of the water if it’s too high. If I know it’s going to be hot and sunny the next day, I usually just leave it and let the sun take the extra water back. In my pool I can easily drop a 1/4” on a hot sunny day.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rex,

The skimmers just work better when the water is in the middle of the skimmer mouth... It does not hurt anything for the water to be higher than the middle..

What you never want to happen is for the water to get high enough to get under or over the coping..

Does your pool not have an overflow port??? If not, just make sure the water level stays below the coping and dump water to prevent it from going over the coping.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[kimkats]

You are spot on with your assessment of where the water lines needs to be for optimal skimming is half way up the skimmer opening. BUT we live in FL so the rain will push the level up THEN the sun lowers it so..................

 

[RexO]

Rex,

The skimmers just work better when the water is in the middle of the skimmer mouth... It does not hurt anything for the water to be higher than the middle..

What you never want to happen is for the water to get high enough to get under or over the coping..

Does your pool not have an overflow port??? If not, just make sure the water level stays below the coping and dump water to prevent it from going over the coping.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for the info. I won't dump any water until it gets close to the coping. I don't think we will see that today. I don't have an overflow port. I don't remember that be offered by my builder. And didn't know to ask about it. But, that would be handy in the event I was away from home during a tropical storm.

 

[RexO]

Hi All, first time pool owner and the pool is about 6 months old now. I have always heard that you should keep the water level at the midway point of your waterline tile. My skimmer opening starts about 2 inches below the tile, so I have interpreted this guideline to mean keep the water level about midway up the height of the skimmer opening. My skimmer opening is 6 inches tall, so I normally keep the water about 3-4 inches as measured from the bottom of the skimmer opening. It’s is actually pretty nice because it highlights the waterline tile. I add water when I see the water level drop close to 2 inches from the bottom of the skimmer opening.

Is my thinking correct on the proper water level for effective skimming.

I live in Florida and we often get a couple of days in a row of heavy rain, followed by blistering heat for several days in a row. So, the water lever can get pretty high quickly, but really hate to drain pool water because when the sun and heat comes back, the water will start evaporating and return back towards normal water levels in a few days.

This weekend, after heavy rain the water is up the the top of my skimmer box. Again, I am reluctant to flush a couple of inches of water out.

Is it Ok to continue running the pump with the water to the top of the skimmer opening. It is still pulling water into the basket. Or, should I just go ahead and flush 1-2 inches of water?

I appreciate any insight.

Thanks for the advice. I will hold the water for now. Will probably start burning off tomorrow.