How to Replace the Body of a Skimmer on an Above-Ground Pool

Water is channeled through a pool skimmer to the pool filter. It's the first place where the filter sucks in water. If your pool skimmer becomes brittle and cracks or leaks from the seal, it needs to be replaced. You can replace a skimmer yourself, but to prevent future leaks, you will also need to replace the gaskets on both sides of the pool wall that help create an airtight seal.

Skimmer body
Gaskets (2)
Silicone Caulk
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the multi-port valve of your filter to the "drain" setting to lower the water level in your pool below the skimmer.
- 2
  Scrape away any caulking around the outside of the skimmer device with a screwdriver. Once it's lifted from the pool wall, it will peel off easily.
- 3
  Unscrew the skimmer faceplate inside the pool. Set the screws and plate aside in a safe place.
- 4
  Remove the remaining screws behind the faceplate that hold the body of the skimmer in place. Hold the skimmer body while removing the screws to keep it from falling. Remove the skimmer and discard the old gaskets.
- 5
  Place a new gasket behind the skimmer body and hold it in place against the pool wall, aligning it with the screw holes. Reattach the screw you removed that held the previous body in place.
- 6
  Reattach the skimmer faceplate with another new gasket. Place the gasket behind the faceplate and refasten the screws that previously held it in place. Seal the outside of the skimmer body along the edges of the seal with a layer of silicone caulking for extra leak protection.

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