Wandering in the Wasteland of Pool Maintenance!

[dihicks6]

Thanks so much for all your help!

I think there is still a plug in the bottom of the skimmer, as I tried to vacuum (using the plate that goes over the top of the skimmer) and there was no suction at all. Is it possible that there is a plug in the bottom of the skimmer, and if so, how in the heck do I get it out? I tried to screw the gizmo bottle back in (stop laughing!), and of course, that's next to impossible to do with water in the skimmer. Any ideas?

[itstoohot]

How many skimmers do you have and do you have a bottom drain? If so, you will need to turn off the bottom drain and close the other skimmer to achieve enough vacuum pressure in the skimmer you are using to effectively operate the vacuum.

[dihicks6]

I have only one skimmer and do you mean is there a drain inside the skimmer, or did you mean is there a drain at the bottom of the pool? There is no drain at the bottom of the pool, so I figure there must be one at the bottom of the skimmer. I don't think I'll ever get this figured out.....sigh. My grandkids are counting on me to pull off this miracle!!!!

[Dr. Spike]

Do you have any other intakes? If so, you will need to plug them or turn them off with the valve.

I have 2 intakes, 2 skimmers, no main drain. I plug the intake that is plumbed with the skimmer that I use to vacuum, the other skimmer and intake are shut off at the valve.

EDIT: If you took the gizmo out of the skimmer, it shouldn't be plugged. Does it skim when the pump is running? With the lid off you should see water flowing over the weir (flapper)?

[dihicks6]

How do I shut off something "at the valve"??? The only valves I can think of are on the pump/filter inside the poolhouse. I really appreciate your answering my incredibly elementary questions!

[dihicks6]

Okay, I think I have it figured out. I backwashed about 2 inches of water out of the pool -- enough so that the skimmer basket wouldn't fill up again, and there at the bottom of the skimmer was a spot where the gizmo I took out broke off instead of being unscrewed. Once I removed the rest of the gizmo, water flowed into the skimmer basket from underneath. I'm refilling the water and will then turn on the pump again and see what happens. Thanks all!!!

[BogeyGolfer]

There should be a valve for each skimmer/intake located near the pump and filter. After you hook up the vacuum to one of the skimmers, turn the valve to the other skimmer OFF. This will increase the suction to your vacuum.