How to Fix a Pool Skimmer Leak

Sometimes, the level of water in your pool will naturally drop due to the heat of summer, but there are times when a pool skimmer leak could be the culprit. In this case, you need to constantly top of your pool with water. Fixing a skimmer leak in a swimming pool is easy unless the skimmer is physically damaged. If the component needs to be replaced, this is an expensive project best left to a professional. However, most skimmer leaks are caused by the skimmer pulling away from the concrete wall surface in the pool. This problem is simple to fix; just follow the simple steps below.

Step 1 - Shut Off the Pool Pump

Before you start, switch off the pump for your pool. When the pump is off, it is easier to find leaks around the skimmer box area.

Step 2 - Add Water if Needed

The water level in your pool needs to be high enough so that it reaches the area with his skimmer box is located. If the water level is not high enough, add water until the level is about 1 inch higher than where the skimmer box meets the pool wall.

Step 3 - Remove the Skimmer Cover

Remove the skimmer cover box from the skimmer area. Some skimmer cover boxes will require that you remove screws in order to remove the covering. However, most will usually have plastic snaps or handles you will have to disengage before you can remove the box.

Step 4 - Locate the Skimmer Leaks

Before you repair the skimmer leak, you will want to ensure that the skimmer is the actual source of the leak. In order to do this, take some red color food dye and pour a couple of drops around the area where the skimmer is located. You should then start to notice the red food color flowing into the skimmer. If the red food dye flows into the seams around the skimmer, then you have verified the skimmer is the source of the leak. Take note of where along the seam of the skimmer the food dye is flowing into the skimmer. This is where you need to make your leak repairs.

Step 5 - Apply Repair Putty

Once you have located the area along the seam of the skimmer where the leak is occurring, remove a piece of putty from the tube. Then, knead the putting with your fingers a few times and press it into the area along the seam of the skimmer where the leak is located.

Next, smooth out the putty with your fingers. After about 30 minutes or so, the putty should change to a white collar. This indicates that the putty has cured and that you can now turn the pump back on.

Step 6 - Replace Skimmer Cover

Replace the skimmer box covering that you removed earlier.

Step 7 - Other Leak Problems

If, after having repaired the leak and the skimmer, the water level in your pool continues to drop, there could be leaks in other areas. You can also use the red food color dye technique to test the vacuum and return fittings in your pool for leaks as well. Leaks in these areas can be repaired in the same way that the skimmer leak was repaired.