The pool skimmer is important to any pool’s water circulation system. Its job is to remove debris, dirt, and other unwanted things from the water’s surface before they sink to the bottom or clog the filter. Keeping your pool clean, clear, and visually appealing, requires maintaining the pool skimmer regularly. As a pool owner, you might be thinking about how to adjust pool skimmer suction?
To adjust the suction of the skimmer, you should inspect and clean the dirt of the skimmer basket and adjust the valve of the skimmer to increase or decrease the flow.
Here we will go deep about adjusting the pool skimmer suction and help you get the most advantage out of your pool skimmer.
What Are Pool Skimmers?
A pool skimmer is a tool for cleaning the surface of a swimming pool of any floating debris or contaminants. There are two primary varieties: built-in skimmers and manual skimmers. Built-in skimmers are integrated into the pool’s architecture, and manual skimmers are hand-held instruments used to clean the pool surface. Pool skimmers keep the water in the pool clean and waste-free, making it a safe and enjoyable place to swim.
How Does a Pool Skimmer Work?
The device is designed to remove debris from the water’s surface. It is positioned on the pool’s side and linked to the pool’s filtration system. The skimmer produces a small whirlpool and attracts the floating pollutant toward it. Water enters the skimmer through a filter or basket that catches leaves, bugs, and other waste. After being purified, the water flows back to the swimming pool using the return jets.
How to Adjust Pool Skimmer Suction?
It is vital to adjust the suction of the pool skimmer to maximize its efficiency and ensure that the pool remains clean. You can adjust the suction of your pool skimmer with the following steps:
- Turn off the pool pump to ensure the safety of yourself.
- Find the valves of the pool system which control the water flow. Figure out which valve goes with the skimmer.
- Take the lid off the skimmer box before making any adjustments.
- Adjust the suction of the skimmer box by rotating the dial above the skimmer plate. You may increase the suction by rotating the dial clockwise. Rotate the dial anticlockwise to lower the suction.
- Turn on the pool pump once you’ve finished making the necessary adjustments to the valves.
- Check the water flow in the skimmer to ensure it effectively removes debris and shows adequate suction levels.
- You can repeat the process if you do not get the desired result.
Why Do You Need to Re-Adjust Your Pool Skimmer Suction?
There could be numerous reasons for readjusting your pool skimmer suction. The following are a few reasons:
- If the skimmer basket gets full of trash, it can slow the water flow and lower the skimmer box’s suction power.
- If the suction power is too strong, the pool cleaner may cling too tightly to the pool floor, blocking it from cleaning all around the pool.
- If the cleaner doesn’t have enough suction, it might be unable to hold on to the pool’s walls. If it falls, it won’t clean the walls.
- If the water’s level gets too low, the skimmer box may suck in air instead of water. On the other hand, a high water level may decrease suction by preventing skimmer consumption.
How Much Suction Should a Pool Skimmer Have?
The amount of suction a pool skimmer should have is based on a few variables. Usually, a pool skimmer’s suction is supposed to be adequate to pull debris from the pool’s surface. It should not be so strong that it hurts the filtration system or breaks the skimmer. You can use a flow meter to understand how much suction would be appropriate for your pool.
A pool skimmer’s flow rate is recommended to be 25 to 30 GPM (gallons per minute). Still, this may vary depending on the pool’s dimensions, the skimmer’s capacity, the pump type, and the filtration system. It’s important to inspect the suction of the pool skimmer often and make changes as needed to work it efficiently. But if you are unsure about the suction rate, consult a professional or the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Causes of Low Skimmer Flow
Many things can cause the skimmer to flow to be low. Here are some of the most common reasons why a swimming pool’s skimmer flow is low:
- If the skimmer basket is clogged: When it fills up with trash, it can limit the water from passing through it. To fix the problem, take out the basket and rinse it out so the water can circulate again.
- Damaged or dirty skimmer weir: The skimmer weir is the gate at the top of the skimmer box that controls the water flow. The weir can get dirty or damaged over time. This can slow down the flow of the skimmer.
- Air Leaks in the Suction Line: If the pump basket or suction line has any air leaks, it can slow down the water flow to the skimmer.
- Polluted or Clogged Filter: A dirty or clogged filter can also slow the flow of the skimmer. You have to backwash the filter to regain circulation.
Moreover, if the psi on the scale goes up by 5 to 10 pounds or shows below the average, you have a problem with low suction. If your skimmer flow is low, you should figure out why and fix the problem so that the pool is properly cleaned and removes debris.
Tips For Maintaining Your Skimmer
Maintaining your pool skimmer is important to keep your swimming well functioning. The following are a few tips for maintaining your pool skimmer:
- Cleaning the skimmer basket regularly: The basket is made to catch leaves, dirt, and other things that fall into the water. It’s important to clean the basket routine, so it doesn’t get stuck and block the water flow.
- Inspect and clean the weir of the skimmer: The skimmer weir controls the amount of water that passes through the skimmer. You should check it often to ensure it’s still in good shape and not broken. Clean the weir regularly to clear any particles or dirt affecting its operation.
- Make necessary adjustments to the skimmer’s flow: If you identify that the flow is insufficient or not performing properly, check for blockages and make the adjustments. Always use the suggested flow rate as per the manufacturer’s advice.
- Checking for any air leaks: The skimmer will not perform efficiently if there are air leaks in the pump basket or the suction line. Check the leaks and fix them.
- Use a skimmer sock: You can use a skimmer sock or fine mesh net over the skimmer basket. It can help to prevent clogging the basket of the skimmer. This makes it simpler to clean the skimmer basket and prolong the life of the skimmer.
If you follow these tips and maintain your pool skimmer on a routine basis, you can keep the pool clean and safe.
How Would You Know If Your Skimmer Is Working Properly?
A few signs can indicate whether or not the pool skimmer is functioning properly.
- The water level of the pool: The water level can affect the operation of the skimmer. The level should be at the mid-level of the skimmer to get the most out of it.
- Transparency of the water: A properly operating skimmer should keep your pool free from debris. If the water is cloudy or dirty, it could be a sign that the skimmer isn’t doing its job.
- Flow rate of the water: If you see any inconsistencies in the flow of water, then it might be a sign of a problem with the skimmer. You should check it immediately or look for a professional to fix the problem.
If you detect any of these indications, you should inspect the skimmer and find the problems affecting performance. Maintaining and cleaning the skimmer regularly will help you to increase its efficiency.
Conclusion
One of the most important parts of pool maintenance is learning how to regulate your pool skimmer’s suction properly.
If you cannot figure out how to adjust the pool skimmer suction, you should ask a professional technician. When the skimmer suction is set up properly, it can help remove junk from the outermost layer of the pool. This makes the pool more fun and protects the filter system from damage.
