Newbie Question “what is adding a sock” to the skimmer

[waterbear]

I have discovered that skimmer socks might actually be cheaper at a pool store. I have seen a 5 pack for $5 and change at one of the local ones!

[pairadocs]

I have discovered that skimmer socks might actually be cheaper at a pool store. I have seen a 5 pack for $5 and change at one of the local ones!

i agree - got it cheaper than above at big name national pool store starting with an L

[VOLDADDY]

I use them as well. It is amazing how dirty these things get in a couple of days.

[tphaggerty]

We have LOTS of pollen around here and the socks work great to keep that from going through to the filter.

In order to avoid making them too much work, I have 2 sets. I replace the dirty socks with clean ones every morning, then rinse the dirty ones in a bucket and let them air dry. Perfect for the next morning.

The only problem with using them is that when you see how much junk they pick up, you'll never want to stop using them.

[VOLDADDY]

tp- do they work pretty good after washing in a bucket as you described? I usually just toss them after a day or so. TIA.

[tphaggerty]

They seem to. I generally turn them inside out, shake them off (outside the pool area of course), stick my hand inside and swish them both in a clean bucket of water. Then I empty the bucket, refill and really swish and squeeze and pick off any remaining stuff. Then I let them air dry for a least a day - this really seems to be the key to having them continue to work. I've thought about adding a bit of bleach to the last soak, but instead I'm going to throw them in the wash with my Pool Rover bag at some point. So far, they seem to hold up pretty well.

I'm rotating 3 sets now (started with 2 before I started using the socks full time).

[waterbear]

I keep empting them, turning them inside out and washing them in the utiltiy sink and then let them dry. I keep them in rotation until they tear and then I toss them.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

i agree - got it cheaper than above at big name national pool store starting with an L

Ditto :-)

[tphaggerty]

It helps cut down on backwashing, which is maintainence which takes time and money (for DE at least). Its is certainly not a requirement to use them. And, if you gets lots of pollen and fluff like we do, it can actually reduce the volume of water going through the skimmers once the socks are clogged up. Personal choice.

As for rotating, I do it because it is quicker for me. Take a whiff of one of those things coming out of your pool and then tell me you want to put it back in without some type of cleanup. Sunlight is a great disinfectant.

[CarlD]

As for rotating, I do it because it is quicker for me. Take a whiff of one of those things coming out of your pool and then tell me you want to put it back in without some type of cleanup. Sunlight is a great disinfectant.

LOL!!!

Actually, I've never noticed ANY odor at all from it. Maybe I'm doing something differently from you?

The reason to use skimmer socks is like anything in life. The earlier you trap a problem/issue, the easier it is to fix. If you catch it at the skimmer, you don't have to catch it in the pump basket or in the filter.