Pool Deck/Skimmer Basket

[jrv331]

Im finishing my pool deck this weekend and from a preliminary look, it looks like my floor boards will be about an inch above the top of my skimmer basket. It kind of worries me that once stepped on, a board will have some play and crack the skimmer. Can some of you tell me how you got around this.
Thanks
John
24AG

[AnnaK]

On mine, the contractor cut a circular hole out of the deck planks and put a white lid on it.

[jrv331]

What would happen if someone accidently stepped on the white lid? Would they be stepping on the skimmer?
Thanks
John

[AnnaK]

No. They cut the planks with a router (I think?) so that there's a lip on which the lid sits. This makes it flush with the decking but not resting on top of the skimmer. It fits in there pretty tightly. In fact, I have to give it a smart smack to replace it after cleaning out the basket. The lid has a small center hole, big enough to insert a finger for lifting it out. Came with the skimmer.

[jrv331]

Im trying to picture it in my mind - they routed the floor boards so the white skimmer top sits flush with the decking, if you remove the skimmer top from the deck you would be looking down into the skimmer basket.This being the case what happens when(if) someone steps on the skimmer top? Its not sturdy enough to spoort any real weight?
Thanks
John

[AnnaK]

I'll take a photo of it later today. You have the mechanics near perfect.

I don't know whether the lid would stand any real weight. It's pretty solid but if someone stomped on it, it might crack. We don't have children but we do have 80 pound German Shepherds running on the deck and I'm sure they've stepped on the lid a few times.

Anyway, I'll post some images.

[AnnaK]

Hi John,

I've posted some photos of my setup at http://ellerbach.com/Pool/Skimmer/index.html

I'll try to answer any additional questions if the photos aren't clear.

Anna

[jrv331]

Anna,
That looks like a fantastic set up - I just may have to try that. My only concern is keeping the kids from stepping on the lid. But getting children to listen is a different story
Thanks for all the help
John

[KurtV]

Skimmer lids are made to be stepped on; it shouldn't be a problem at all so long as it fits well.

[jrv331]

Kurt,
I have a stupid follow up question - Why would a skimmer lid be made tough enough to stand on? Some times I feel like I'll break my skimmer basket just when resting the bleach bottle on top of it. Im going to use AnnaK's setup, it looks fantastic and a whole lot better that what I had in mind.
Thanks
John

[KurtV]

For inground pools, the skimmer lid sits on the deck (just as Anna's does) and gets stepped on frequently.

[AnnaK]

Kurt took the words right out of my mouth. My friend's pool is an inground and the skimmer lid is flush with the concrete decking. It gets stepped on all the time. My deck, as are many a/g pool decks, is built to be level with the pool so again, the lid is level with the decking and gets stepped on.

If you're really, really worried about the lid breaking, put a brick on it. That's be a visual warning to the kids to detour the brick or they'll stub their toes. But honestly, I just do not think it'll be a problem.

[tonecold]

Hi Jrv331,

I just answered this question in another thread.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=7397&page=2

I've seen a plastic skimmer cap crack when someone stepped on it on an above ground pool deck. Granted, it was an old, weathered lid but they were fortunate their foot didn't go all the way through, cut themselves or possibly break a leg.

[Sumo1]

Seems I'm always reminding someone (my kids or guests) not to step on the skimmer lids. Our pool's more than 20 years old and I've heard stress cracking when they've been stepped on. I guess I should look for newer replacements. Perhaps the newer plastic would be stronger. The skimmers are flush with the concrete deck.
Hal