The skimmer ate my skimmer sock, now what?

[Nappigal]

Ok, I never used skimmer socks before this year. Never even heard of them until talking with a friend this last Friday. I used one yesterday, and yes, put it on the outside of the skimmer basket because there is a bar across the center of the basket so it made sense at the time that it would go on the outside. I went to maintain the pool today and the sock was gone. I went to the 2nd skimmer basket and I see it floating in the intake area. I go to retrieve the sock, turned off the filter, unlatched the skimmer cover and before I could retrieve the sock, it got sucked into back into the pipe. Now I'm in a panic. I don't know whether i should shut down the whole system or keep it running in hopes that the sock will turn up. I'm open to ideas/solutions. Many thanks in advance. I did notify my pool service company but if I can resolve the issue on my own this would be better for my budget.

Thanks.

 

[Jimrahbe]

N,

Welcome to TFP... A Great resource for all pool owners that have lost their socks...

Putting them inside the skimmer basket works a whole lot better...

Put the lid back on the pump basket and turn the pump back on.. It should suck the sock back out.

If you have a valve in front of the pump, use it to keep the pump from draining back into your pool..

If no valve, then you can put a garden hose and a rag into the skimmer and try to force water from the skimmer back into the pump with the pump basket open.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

.....and for future reference that little bar handle across the basket pops in and out quite easily.

Maddie

 

[Jimrahbe]

.....and for future reference that little bar handle across the basket pops in and out quite easily.

Maddie

Maddie,

I did not know that...!!! I went out and checked and it just pops right out!!! I've been wrapping my hairnets under that darn bar for over two years, and you just now get around to telling me the bar comes out...

Man, I pick up something from this site every day..

Thanks for the tip...

Jim R.

 

[Richard320]

Ok, I never used skimmer socks before this year. Never even heard of them until talking with a friend this last Friday. I used one yesterday, and yes, put it on the outside of the skimmer basket because there is a bar across the center of the basket so it made sense at the time that it would go on the outside. I went to maintain the pool today and the sock was gone. I went to the 2nd skimmer basket and I see it floating in the intake area. I go to retrieve the sock, turned off the filter, unlatched the skimmer cover and before I could retrieve the sock, it got sucked into back into the pipe. Now I'm in a panic. I don't know whether i should shut down the whole system or keep it running in hopes that the sock will turn up. I'm open to ideas/solutions. Many thanks in advance. I did notify my pool service company but if I can resolve the issue on my own this would be better for my budget.

Thanks.

You mean it made it to the pump basket and then got pulled back towards the skimmer?

I'd just turn things on again. It'll probably end up in the pump basket again and next time maybe you'll have better luck grabbing it. If it pulls back again, then try one of these from the basket end. Shop Cobra Plastic Drain Stick at Lowes.com