Skimmer clogged

The 2 skimmer things on the sides of my pool are completely jammed with a hard, white substance. The skimmer drain isn't running at all and the only way i can get water to circulate through there is by turning the "Vac" setting on Instead of the skimmer (there are 2 pipes under the basket)

What can i do to unclog the pipes? I can't just dig the stuff out it goes to far in...

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, i've never had a pool before and i can't find a pool guy IRL who can help me.

Any advice would be much appreciated thank you!

I can try to take some pictures if that will help?

You can send a pic to poolforum AT gmail DOT com

Is it the skimmer basket or the skimmer pipes that are silted up?

Carl

It's the pipes, there are 2 pipes below each basket, i can make 1 of the 2 pipes work by turning the "Skim" lever off and the "Vac" lever on but if I have the Vac on the Main Drain doesn't work....

I had a clog in my skimmer yesterday that I was able to free with a 25' snake that you would use to unclog any plumbing line inside your house.

Where could I get one of those?

The snake thing

Home Depot. Standard Plumber's snake. I have one for many years now, long before I had a pool (I'm a tool junkie).

Carl