POOL SKIMMERS 101: How To UNCLOG Your Pool Skimmer Line

Swim University makes pool and hot tub care easy for millions of homeowners. Each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. This is the reason we created Swim University.

Your skimmer is your first line of defense when it comes to filtering out debris in your pool. And that means it’s easy to get a clogged-up skimmer line. So if you’re getting poor suction or you think your pool skimmer line is clogged, there are two ways to unclog your system: 1) Move the pool diverter valve (or Jandy valve) back and forth to open and close the skimmer valve; 2) Clear the blockage with a drain cleaning bladder like a Drain King. Before you troubleshoot, make sure it's indeed a clog in your skimmer line and not an air leak in your pump.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to How To Unclog Your Pool Skimmer Line
00:37 - How Does A Pool Skimmer Work?
01:52 - How Do You Clean A Pool Skimmer?
02:35 - How Do You Know If Your Pool Skimmer Line Is Clogged?
04:08 - How To Unclog Your Pool Skimmer Line With The Diverter Valve
04:40 - How To Unclog Your Pool Skimmer Line With A Drain Cleaning Bladder

[acrowbat]

Thank you!!! My pump was clogged and I realized it was my filter socks which I had put on the OUTSIDE of the strainer baskets... OOPS! They both got sucked into the pump pipe and I was not able to maintain any pressure. A couple of turns back and forth on each of the skimmer valves and VOILA!!! Saved me an expensive call to a repair service.

[steadtlera]

Tried to unclog my skimmer line. Watched your video. Realized by valve had the skimmer line closed. Comment in shame to never forget it.

[susanneboyd]

This video saved us at least $400 because that is the least the plumber would have charged us!!! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.

[kirkeric]

Great video man and I got my issue fixed. I always do all my own pool work so when I got low pressure and all the usual things were in good shape, I found this. It was indeed the pump propeller clogged. Once I dislodged the debris and my fingers, all good. Kidding. I did turn it off, naturally. Fixed! Thanks.

[mac]

This video was just what I needed. Took longer for me to watch the video that it did for me to check and clear the clogged lines! This was a life savor! Thank you!

[michelleoz]

Helped me fix my issue! I had to open and close my skimmer valve a few times, fill up the water level with a hose in the pool and that did the trick. Thank you so much!

[drron]

Excellent, very clear advice on how to unclog a pool skimmer line!

[berec]

I've been trying all this, I think is time to buy the DCB. Thank you for your help.

[bethfinney]

Thanks so much for these videos. Wish this one came up in my search when my pump wouldn’t prime. Turned out to be the skimmer door but took a service call to discover. Appreciate your info!

[Sarge]

Great explanation of the system, and all of the tips for trying to clear the clog were a good starting point. Unfortunately my system now has even less pressure at the skimmer and sweep intake. My pool sweep no longer moves (husband thought it was my sweep’s fault threw it in trash and ordered an expensive brand name, which likewise does not move). Went through steps again today, same results, except now the pump basket isn’t filling properly and the big cartridge filter gauge went from 10 to 30, so I have obviously made the problem worse. Please pm off while I research

[jellomonster]

When my jets are on, I can see the basket inside the area shown at 3:30 is filled with leaves. When I shut off the jets so I can open the lid and clean the basket, almost all of the leaves get sucked back out into the skimmer line. What do I do to clear the pipe of the leaves?

[kathyradina]

THANK YOU. now I know more than my pool cleaning company.

[shafiqshah]

I appreciate all your videos! Very informative and helped me a lot with my pool issues so far.

[justinmiller]

Went to Lowe’s and got a drain cleaning bladder- line was unclogged on first attempt starting at pump and pushing back towards pool. Thanks for the tips!

[atheegr]

My skimmer has no suction at all. I have no backwash option and don't know how to check to see if simmer line is clogged

[randollangdale]

Great information, have one of my skimmer lines not pulling in water as normal and this worked after a few sessions of running water in line alternating directions debris finally came out. Thanks 🙏

Ps
I also enjoy brew cabin, I am a home brewer as well and like the information from there as well

[zulissani]

while vacuuming the pool can i close the main and use only skimmer side to get more better result.?

[Sarge]

Thanks for this simple tutorial. I’m on it!

[jerrycrow]

I'm on well water and now my level is below the skimmer, I shut the pump off so I wouldn't burn it out, my question is can you attach a hose to the skimmer so it can get water below the skimmer? I have a tanker coming in a week and don't want alge to grow

[johndesade]

In my skimmer BOTH of those holes at the bottom are open. Should this not be?