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How to fix a leaky in ground pool skimmer gasket

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A skimmer designed for vinyl liner pools has a special faceplate and gasket fitted mouth. This design ensures a proper seal between the liner and the skimmer thus preventing a leak. A leaky gasket can cause costly property damage. If you notice this leak this guide will show you how to repair.

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Steps

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Step 1

Drop the water level of your pool to 2 inches below the skimmer faceplate.

Step 2

This step will require a magnetic screwdriver. Remove the screws securing the faceplate to the pool wail. A magnetic screwdriver is important in this step because you do not want to go fishing for screws later on.

Step 3

After the screws are removed the faceplate and gasket should peel off pretty easily. You may need to pick a corner with your fingernail to start the process. Be careful not to scratch the liner.

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Step 4

To prevent liner shift place the screws removed in step 2 in their respective holes while you are preparing the new gasket for installation

Step 5

With the new gasket at the ready remove the screws and set gasket in place around the mouth of the skimmer. Line up the holes of the gasket with the corresponding screw points on the skimmer face.

Step 6

Place the skimmer's faceplate over the gasket and secure it with screws. Run your finger around the edge of the faceplate after tightened to make sure there are no gaps and the plate is evenly tightened.

Click here to view skimmers. 

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(1 to 8 of 8)

Anonymous  Posted: 6/2/2017 

Anonymous (magnetic screws) - I have read that SS fasteners that go through a cold working process (wire drawing, forming and thread rolling) produce a measurable degree of magnetism.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/31/2017 

Why do I need a magnetic screw driver. Are the screws not supposed to made of stainless steel?.
How can be a magnetic screw be useful?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/5/2016 

Len - This HTG only applies to in-ground of above ground pools with liners. If you know where the leak is between your skimmer and the concrete pool wall, I would ask a local hardware for a good caulking that will resist pool chemicals.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/1/2016 

The How To appears to apply to an above ground pool, rather than an in ground pool. What is best way to repair a skimmer housing that leaks a bit between the plastic housing and the concrete pool wall?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/2/2016 

skimmer gaskets - An AG pool skimmer can have two gaskets - one inside the wall and one outside the wall. If required, you can replace the outside gasket at the same time you are replacing the inside liner gasket.
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Anonymous  Posted: 4/28/2016 

It seems to me there should be a skimmer gasket behind the liner in addition to the gasket in front of the skimmer before the skimmer plate is installed. With this in mind i have noticed that hayward skimmer gaskets are sold in sets of two..I am assuming this is the reason for the sets of two being sold together.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/10/2015 

outside gasket - Generally you do not have to put silicon sealer on the outside gasket. The gasket is designed to provide a tight seal.
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Anonymous  Posted: 9/1/2015 

What about changing the duplicate gasket on the outside of the skimmer ?
Do you need to put some sort of silicon sealer in between ?
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