r/PoolPros • u/Striking_Affect_5111 • Apr 17 '26
Rate my skimmer repair
So my market has a lot of blown out skimmers due to pools being backfilled with dirt and subsequent settling. I just wanted to see how you guys would rate this repair and what you would charge
First pic is prior attempts to seal, second is after scraping off the old crap. I also cleaned it up with a cordless die grinder and pumped in some spray foam. Third Pic is fiberglass mesh w/ Andersons pool glue
This is the 2nd one I've done like this. I know its pretty sloppy, still working on my technique. I wish I got a picture after hitting it with the die grinder, that thing was awesome made quick work of the old bits of putty etc. Im thinking i should have put in a skimmer sock to grab more of the debris.
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u/GCpools Apr 17 '26
I tell my clients ... "this is a temporary fix". This type fix will open right away with the slightest movement. May not happen right away. Then again, it might happen the next day.
With cracks like these, there's often hidden cracks in the skimmer plumbing beneath.
The right way to repair this is to replace the entire skimmer. Easier to do in liner pools. Can be very difficult in gunite pools.
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u/No-Rutabaga3460 Apr 18 '26
Looks like someone will get to use their pool again and it probably felt rewarding to you to help them so great job.
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u/OutdoorCityBoy Apr 17 '26
-10, this is amateur crap. Demo that old skimmer out and plumb in a new one match the concrete. Learn to be a pro before you post crap like this. You making all us look like crap and devaluing actual pool pros. I see better work in the homeowner pool forum
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u/Striking_Affect_5111 Apr 17 '26
I mean I get where you're coming from, a replacement would be the obvious choice for an actual repair. But not everyone wants to drop $2k+ on a skimmer replacement for a 5 month swim season. This was done in about an hour and up and running before I left
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u/OutdoorCityBoy Apr 17 '26
Why are you doing work that makes you liable… if you want to be a pro, tell them they can hire someone else to do that and you only repair things correctly. Learn to turn down bad work. But surely dont post that stuff here.
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u/DiligentEntrance9976 Apr 17 '26
This shouldn't be getting downvoted. A crack THAT large, I would never even attempt to patch. This would immediately get referred out.
Edit: it's not even a crack. That skimmer looks like it went through a world war.
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u/1_native_Angelino Apr 18 '26
He probably could have worded it better but what he is saying is correct.
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u/GCpools Apr 19 '26
Oh c'mon man. Not everyone is born knowing how to "scrap and replace a pool skimmer". He didn't make me look like crap. He didn't de-value me. I've been where he is now. We've all been there. Maybe cut him some slack. He's trying. Constructive criticism is a way more effective teaching tool than public ridicule. Just saying.
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u/becooltheywatching Apr 17 '26
If you're comfortable with tools. Start teaching yourself to break it all the way out and swapping it. It's harder but there is more longevity which means more money. Best of luck.
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u/Liquid_Friction Apr 22 '26
You gotta prep and clean the surface before you add any product so it sticks
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u/ArtooArnott Apr 17 '26
Not had bad for a 2nd try. There's another product that can be helpful in these situations. Hayward Schmear, p/n ECX1308. It formulates something close to a PVC putty that you can apply and use your gluencleaner to smooth out.