Formed concrete skimmer - repair or replace?

[GabeN]

I am currently in the bid phase of a pool and spa renovation (coping, tile, pebble…no equipment upgrades at this time). It is being suggested to replace the existing skimmer which is formed concrete as shown in Pictures (9” diameter; throat opening 16”x6”). There is evidence of cracking, but functionally the skimmer shows no problems, no leaks have been detected in pool and it has worked well. One proposal is to remove and replace it with a Waterway Plastics Renegade gunite in-ground skimmer (Renegade Gunite In-Ground Skimmers - Waterway Plastics).

• Is the expense of doing this worth it?
• Will replacement provide long-term added value rather than a repair using concrete patch and/or epoxy injection?
• Is a vinyl skimmer not as likely to crack over time as the existing concrete skimmer?
• What are the benefits of replacement from a performance, service and maintenance standpoint?

I use a pool sweep by inserting a hose into the return line at bottom of the skimmer and adjusting suction by turning the diverter at the bottom of the skimmer. I assume this will not be affected if I follow through with replacing the skimmer.

Thanks to all for any suggestions, comments or guidance. ===Gabe.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Provide more of a description of the skimmer.

There is a PVC pipe connected to the bottom of the skimmer? What does that PVC pipe connect to at the bottom?

There one suction pipe at the bottom of the skimmer?

There a plastic skimmer basket in the skimmer?

What waterproofs the concrete that is the inside of the skimmer?

Show us a pic looking down into the skimmer with the pump off.

@AQUA~HOLICS thoughts?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

What is the cost for the replacement?, that will determine its worth.
If this is cost effective then the timing is right while coping and tile are replaced.
Patch or injection is only a temporary solution, complete replacement is a fix.
Both a vinyl skimmer and a concrete skimmer will crack if the foundation will not support it correctly.
If their are benefits in performance, service and maintenance with a concrete skimmer over a vinyl skimmer, they would still be installing them today.

 

[sktn77a]

Depends on the cost but if you are renovating the pool and it's not outrageously expensive, I would go ahead and do it.

 

[GabeN]

Attached is photo of the components of the skimmer. The skimmer is a metal shell with one opening at its bottom; no evidence of any cracking anywhere except in concrete deck surrounding top of skimmer (at cover). Cost of replacement approx. $ 2,500.00 matl's, labor and patching the pool deck included.

 

[GabeN]

Welcome to TFP.

Provide more of a description of the skimmer.

There is a PVC pipe connected to the bottom of the skimmer? What does that PVC pipe connect to at the bottom?

There one suction pipe at the bottom of the skimmer?

There a plastic skimmer basket in the skimmer?

What waterproofs the concrete that is the inside of the skimmer?

Show us a pic looking down into the skimmer with the pump off.

@AQUA~HOLICS thoughts?

Thank you for your questions...to which I've responded as best as possible in the continuing thread, below. Any add'l thoughts or suggestions?

 

[GabeN]

Depends on the cost but if you are renovating the pool and it's not outrageously expensive, I would go ahead and do it.

Thank you for your comment...to which I've responded as best as possible in the continuing thread. Any add'l thoughts or suggestions?

 

[1poolman1]

Attached is photo of the components of the skimmer. The skimmer is a metal shell with one opening at its bottom; no evidence of any cracking anywhere except in concrete deck surrounding top of skimmer (at cover). Cost of replacement approx. $ 2,500.00 matl's, labor and patching the pool deck included.

Sylvan Pools used metal skimmers like that, a copper or brass or bronze metal body. Twenty five hundred seems a reasonable price today as, in my area, a new skimmer was about $2000.00 five years ago.