Skimmer basket "floating"

[AK-]

I have a Hayward SP1091WM skimmer on my AG pool. Frequently when my pump turns off the skimmer basket "floats" and after entangles with the skimmer weir preventing water flow into the skimmer and letting air into my system.

I tried adding a medium (about 2" long, 1" wide and 3/4" thick) well rounded river rock into the basket.... It does prevent the basket from going up, but seems to somewhat restricts the flow.

Any suggestions?

Note: I have basket socks.

Thanks,
AK

 

[scdaren]

A rock shouldn't restrict the flow much, that's what I use. Just make sure it's too big to fit in the pipe in case it falls in without the basket.

What kind of socks are you using? I just use cheap hair nets from Amazon: Amazon.com: 100 PCS--21", Disposable Bouffant (Hair Net) Caps, Spun-Bounded Poly, Hair Head Cover Net, Non-Woven, Medical, Labs, Nurse, Tattoo, Food Service, Health, Hospital: Health & Personal Care.

 

[AK-]

Socks are another item on my long list of things I brought before finding TFP... so I got these: Amazon.com : Impresa Products 10-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks - Perfect Savers for Filters, Baskets, and Skimmers - The Ideal Sock/Net/Saver to Protect Your Inground or Above Ground Pool : Garden & Outdoor

 

[scdaren]

Socks are another item on my long list of things I brought before finding TFP... so I got these: Amazon.com : Impresa Products 10-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks - Perfect Savers for Filters, Baskets, and Skimmers - The Ideal Sock/Net/Saver to Protect Your Inground or Above Ground Pool : Garden & Outdoor

Try the hair nets. They work great, and 1/10 the price. That one you are using looks a lot thicker than the hair nets I use. Maybe that's restricting your flow.

 

[AK-]

I removed the socks and flow improved back to normal. I could even hear my pump a bit less noisy. I put the socks back and removed the rock and flow was still good. Put the rock back and pump is noisy again with reduced flow.
I'll try with the hair net and see if that resolves.

The basket is slighter wider on two of the sides as if it was designed to be locked in place, but the skimmer itself has no sockets to lock the basket.

I was thinking in drilling two holes on the skimmer and put an stainless steel screw with stainless steel cap nut on the inside, so I could twist the basket and lock it in place.... As the skimmer is made of hard plastic I'm a bit concerned in breaking/chipping it drilling... does anyone has experience on that?

 

[SecoSteve]

I removed the socks and flow improved back to normal. I could even hear my pump a bit less noisy. I put the socks back and removed the rock and flow was still good. Put the rock back and pump is noisy again with reduced flow.
I'll try with the hair net and see if that resolves.

The basket is slighter wider on two of the sides as if it was designed to be locked in place, but the skimmer itself has no sockets to lock the basket.

I was thinking in drilling two holes on the skimmer and put an stainless steel screw with stainless steel cap nut on the inside, so I could twist the basket and lock it in place.... As the skimmer is made of hard plastic I'm a bit concerned in breaking/chipping it drilling... does anyone has experience on that?

I wouldn't drill the skimmer. Eventually, it will crack. Maybe try the Skimmer Angel. That adds some weight to the basket to hold it down, and also helps keep your hands out of the crud.

 

[AK-]

I wouldn't drill the skimmer. Eventually, it will crack. Maybe try the Skimmer Angel. That adds some weight to the basket to hold it down, and also helps keep your hands out of the crud.

View attachment 335606

Seems it would get would get in the way of the socks… but when looking up it on Amazon I found some dense plastic weights for automatic vacuum hoses… will give that a try.

 

[rweiler994]

These are the socks I use, have not had a floating problem since, but no trees etc near my pool so they last a good while....
Skimmer Socks