How to Repair a CRACKED Pool Skimmer!
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- Опубликовано: 16 май 2024
- In this video, Mark demonstrates how to repair a cracked skimmer as well as drain. This simple, yet effective trick can save you that costly bill of digging up and replacing the broken skimmer.
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Video Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Supply list
01:15 - Preparations
02:30 - Mixing
06:19 - Important note
06:38 - Cure time
07:09 - Drain repair options
Video Links:
Schmear Pellets: www.hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/...
Pool epoxy putty: hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/p-12...
Music: Zach Scholz
Best solution I found thank you very much Ill check back once this is done. Im not a handy man but am going to try this myself and will let others who may be challenged at repairing things how i did.
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas !!!
Totally going to try it on my skimmer. We are having some humidity issues just above the ground area. I imagine it has something to do with the skimmer or its adjacent plumbing (since the dye test did not show any leaking)
Thanks again for sharing:)
Excellent
He is the chosen one to say "schmear" properly.
HEY MARK I'VE APPRECIATED YOUR SERIES ON POOL REPAIR..I'VE KNOWN NOTHING ABOUT POOLS TILL THE HOMEOWNER NEEDED THE SAND CHANGED IN FILTER SO I GOT INVOLVED AS I'M THE PROPERTY MAINTAINER BUT NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE POOL TILL NOW. CUSTOMER KNEW ENOUGH ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS TO GET ME STARTED THEN I WENT TO LOCAL POOL SUPPLY BUT A LOT OF INFO I CONFIRMED AND LEARNED ORIGINATED WITH YOU. THOUGH THE SAND REPLACEMENT THIS YEAR WAS SUCCESSFUL, THE CHALLENGE WE'RE HAVING FOR 3 YEARS HAS BEEN A LEAK WHICH WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY WHERE IS FROM. HE KEEPS HAVING ME ADD WATER WHEN LEVEL GETS NEARLY BELOW SKIMMER BUT WATCHING THIS VID MAKES ME THINK WE SHOULD LET THE WATER CONTINUE DRANING UNTIL THE POOK STOPS LOSING WATER THEN MAYBE WE CAN IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. IN OTHER WORDS IF IT WATER LEVEL FALLS BELOW WHERE WATER ENTERS SKIMMER THEN LEVELS OUT THERE I GUESS THAT MEANS ONE OR MORE OF THE THREE SKIMMERS HAS A CRACK...IF IT CONTINUES TO FALL THEN MAYBE THE RETURN PORTS OR THE LIGHTS..QUESTION : IF THE LEAK IS ISOLATED TO ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS, HOW CAN IT BE CONFIRMED ? SO IF WE SUSPECT THE SKIMMER IS CRACKED BUT NOT SURE BECAUSE NOT OBVIOUS IS THERE A PROCDURE TO CONFIRM ? SAME FOR THE LIGHTS ,ETC. THANK YOU.
If you would like to check out my videos titled, "find a leak like a pro" parts 1 through 4, this should help. Thanks for watching.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies THANKS MARK 👍
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies I HAVE WATCHED ALL THOSE VIDS BUT REQUIRE MORE SPECIFIC ADVICE ON HOW TO DETECT A LEAK IF YOU SUSPECT IT''S THE SKIMMER..I'LL WATCH AGAIN BUT THE CHALLENGE IS FINDING WHERE THE LEAK IN A SKIMMER IS IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT. SAME FOR A LIGHT IF THERE ARE 6 LIGHTS IN A POOL HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE NEEDS REPAIR .THIS POOL I'M WORKING ON HAS SEVERAL LIGHTS AND 3 SKIMMERS ,( NOT TO MENTION THE DRAINS ), BUT I'M NOT A DIVER. I HAVEN'T SWAM IN A LONG TIME BUT SINCE I RUN I THOUGHT I'D BE ABLE TO HOLD BREATH FOR A COUPLE MINUTES TO INSPECT THE DRAINS WITH GOAL TO AT LEAST UNSCREW THE COVERS AND CONFIRM SUCTION ...NOT ONLY COULD I ONLY HOLD BREATHE A SHORT TIME, APPARENTLY THE BODY WASN'T CREATED TO SINK TO BOTTOM SO FREE DIVING WAS A FAIL.
@@matthewpolo227 In order to help I need more information because there are several different things to discuss in greater detail. If you would like to check out my patreon page I will be glad to help.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies I'M NOT YET CERTAIN I'M TAKING POINT ON THIS THE POOL SERVICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HIRING A DIVER BUT THAT HAS NOT OCCURED YET SO I'M TRYING TO BE PREPARED IF I NEED TO GET FURTHER INVOLVED. THE CURIOUS GEORGE IN ME HAS GOTTEN INTERESTED IN YOUR INDUSTRY SO HOW DO I GET TO YOUR PATRON PAGE ?
Hi, thanks for the greast video. I have a broken skimmer, it broke on the bottom all around the drain hole, it's like the drain pipe that's connected to the skimmer made pressure on the drainage and broke and lift it. I'd like to know if i have to push it back ( in that case do you kindly have any idea on how to do it) or i can just apply the smear as it is ( i made it into an almost liquid paste, i suppose that way he can infiltrate all the cracks and seal them. Thank you kindly and keep up the good work!
If you can send me a picture, I will be glad to help.
Hello!
Thank you so much for this useful video on repairing skimmer cracks. I have watched this from Mallorca, Spain. We have a cracked skimmer and want to repair it as per your instructions but we can’t find “Schmear” pellets here. The closest thing I have found is ABS pellets for 3D printing. Do you think this would work? Many, many thanks!
Hayward is an international company and you should be able to get schmear by Hayward at your local pool company or online. ABS pellets may work, but you may want to test first to see if the ABS will bond.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies thank you for your quick response. I have contacted the official distributor for Hayward in Mallorca and they tell me that, unfortunately, they don’t import the schmear pellets. I will try with another type and see what happens. Thanks again.
Hello, thank you for a great video, question.
I have an inground vinyl pool (~20,000g) and I'm losing 1/4" every night, so I know it leaks for sure. Haven't opened yet this season, so all pipes are still plugged. I let the water go down until it stopped just below the 2 skimmers, which is on the lower skimmer rectangular frame, looking from inside the pool. (On the first screw line from the bottom of frame)
The skimmer seems to hold water inside it, where its bottom pipes are connected, so I suspect the issue may be on the edge or the top portion of the skimmer, or in the connection of the vinyl to skimmer?
Do you think I should fill up water and do a dye test first, inside the skimmer and along the skimmer from inside the pool? Is that repairable with the Schmear/pool putty? Thank you!
I would recommend checking out our 4 videos "How to find a leak like a pro" that will help you determine what kind of leak you have. If you have any questions after feel free to contact me. You can watch the series here: ruclips.net/video/r2j3tsKFy_U/видео.html
Hello great video . I will be doing repairs on my thermoplastic steps on a inground pool . There is blisters and small cracks . Will this product work as a filler befor painting ?
I believe that the schmear will bond to thermoplastic, but it would be best to check with the manufacturer.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Great thanks for the help
Can you use the schmear also to fix a crack on the Hayward multiport valve around the pressure gauge?
If you have a crack on your multiport valve it is best to replace, the schmear is not recommended for this type of repair. The schmear may bond, however this repair is under constant pressure and may eventually leak, and then you will have to replace anyway.
Hi, I was wondering if I used a 2 part apoxy about a week ago, the leak has slowed down a bit, can I used the pebbles on top of it after sending it a bit to fix the skimmer or do I need to take off the apoxy completely and and sand it to nothing before applying your product ?
For the schmear to bond properly you want to apply directly on the surface, once it has been cleaned and sanded. I would not apply the schmear over the epoxy coating.
I can’t get the pellets to breakdown into a creamy substance. I follow the mixing instructions and use a beater mixer to try and make the smear. I end up with a gravelly substance unfortunately. What’s the key to getting the substance creamy with the mek.
Anxiously waiting your response
Phil
You may need to add a little more MEK and just keep stirring until it gets creamier. This may take a few minutes. Do not mix too much at one time because you only have so much tooling time and the schmear will get hard. Also, verify you are using MEK.
Will the Schmear pellets work on one of my 50 year old in ground pools if I following the full process?
I honestly have no idea what brand they’re but definitely pvc product. Skimmer housings are white over and bottom of skimmer is black pvc.
Thanks and appreciate your reply’s and videos!
Yes, thanks for watching.
After I schmear the skimmer cracks and let it dry/cure, can I put a couple of layers of fiberglass around the skimmer to strengthen it against future cracks? If so, what would the prep be for the schmeared cracks before laying on the fiberglass? Thanks. Great videos!
You do not have to use fiberglass mesh on the repair, the schmear will bond to the skimmer if it is applied properly. Once the schmear is applied and has cured and you use mesh over the repair and schmear it again it will not hurt but it is not needed.
Hi I recently purchase the Hayward Schmear pellets and M.E.K, while mixing was a chore and very time consuming I was able to dissolve all the pellets into a syrup consistency. After extending the pipes I poured the Schmear at about an 1” high. Within a few hours a skim formed on the top and it 😊felt rubbery. 2 days later it still felt rubbery so i poked a toothpick through the skim and MEK leaked out. After doing this for 7 days the Schmear finally harden. What did i do wrong? Was it the original depth ?. How long should a 1/4” take to cure?
When pouring schmear that thick it will take much longer to cure. A 1/4” application will usually cure within 24 hrs. Thanks for watching.
This is a great video!
How can I order the M.E.K.? I couldn’t find it on your website
You can get MEK at your local paint store. Thanks for watching.
Can shaved pvc from a plumbing pipe be used instead of schmear? We drill out and recover pvc fittings which creates lots of pvc shavings. I need to repair my skimmer this weekend and can't wait on pellets to arrive.
It may or may not work, you can try a small section to test first. Keep in mind it may adhere, but will it hold permanently in the long run? Only time will tell. Thanks for watching.
So you leave the 1.5" PVC adapter in permanently? I'm assuming that once you pour the schmear in it will bond that part as well. Also, how thick of a layer of schmear to add to the bottom? 1/2"? Thank you!
(I wish we would have replaced the skimmer when we completely re-finished our pool and concrete decking 7 years ago, but I had never had a pool when we bought the house and had no clue)
The thickness can be poured in 1/4” increments so it can cure faster. You can layer after each pour has cured if needed. If you pour thicker it will just take a lot longer to cure but you will be okay. I would not pour more than 1/2” thick at a time. Thanks for watching.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Thank you! And you just leave the pvc adapter in permanently bonded?
You can, just make sure your basket will fit and does not hit the PVC fitting. If it hits you can cut the fitting down for clearance.
Hello Mark, We have an inground pool with vinyl liner and fiberglass steps with Jacuzzi feature. We are getting air bubbles coming out of one return from the pump. Any suggestions please?
It sounds like you have a suction leak. I made a video in regards to air bubbles in your pump, dealing with suction leaks. Here is the link, hope this helps. Thanks for watching.
ruclips.net/video/SiEOIxYpJ5g/видео.html
Can we use a brush to apply this product to make it more eye pleasing?
Yes, you can use a brush.
We had a pool company fix our skimmers with the epoxy, it lasted about a year. Is there a way we can still do the schmear repair or would the epoxy need to be removed somehow first?
For best results l would recommend to sand off the epoxy. What is not removed, you can rough up the surface by sanding. This will make for a better bond. Thanks for watching.
I know you have the pellets and I can get an MEK substitute locally, but my question is about the substitute. Will it be okay to use for this type of job?
Yes, if it’s the same type of solvent then it should work.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Thank you so much for the info! The substitute MEK worked perfectly. When I dug out the epoxy that we had used in there for years, I found that some of it hadn’t even cured completely and there was a fairly large crack (big enough for me to stick my finger in) underneath the epoxy. While I’m a little concerned that this is a sign that the plastic of the skimmer is deteriorating, I’m certain that I bought some time because I put two rather significant layers of schmear in it. Boy, was it hard to work, but it certainly has been worth it. For the first time in years, we aren’t having to fill our pool at least a little bit every day (recently it was much more than a little bit). It’s obvious that the skimmer leak has been stopped completely. Hopefully, this will be a long term repair, but even if it isn’t, the savings on the water bill for the next few months will more than cover the costs. I’m so happy that you posted that video. If you hadn’t, I almost definitely would’ve been looking at having to dig out the skimmer in the very near future. If something goes south, I’ll let you know, but so far it’s looking really good!!
How do you repair the tiles inside and outside of the skimmer? I tried the waterproof spray, caulking, and another liquid that you pour inside the skimmer? When I use this combination it works for one year or two years.
Typically tile is repaired by using grout. If you have any questions feel free to contact me anytime.
When replacing a skimmer gasket, would you lower water level below skimmer?
If this is an above ground pool then yes. If this is an inground pool you can change the gasket without lowering the water, however it is easier if the water level is lowered.
Hello, if the skimmer box is cracked, is it necessary to replace the skimmer box and concrete slab? Or it can always be sealed? Thank you
It depends how bad your skimmer is cracked, if you send me a picture I will be glad to look at it for you.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Thank you. May I have your email and where are you located?
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies why is skimmer box made of plastic instead of something like stainless steel?
@@thebellachen-1667 Our email is located on our site.
@@thebellachen-1667 Because of cost and rust.
Jackhammer? Sounds good right about now.. trying to remove my old skimmer it’s stuck good! Tried to only remove the bucket half, no go. Tried to remove the entire assembly, also no go.. Any advice?! The damage is too far gone.
You may have to replace the skimmer. You can send a picture or contact me I will be glad to help.
There is a fairly large broken/missing portion on the wall of my skimmer. Can I put another material such as a piece of plastic over the broken area and then seal it all together as you show in the video?
I would recommend to replace the skimmer. This type of repair is possible depending on the damage. If you send a picture, I will be glad to take a look.
I have trouble with the joint between my skimmer throat and the pool wall leaking. I have tried epoxy putty, flex seal, aquarium sealer and they all work for a few months but eventually fail! Any suggestions ? Thanks
If the separation between the skimmer and wall is that bad you may need to replace the skimmer.
Will this product work on an above ground pool skimmer? My pool is only 3 years old and I don't want to have to replace the liner because of a crack in the skimmer.
You can replace the skimmer without having to replace the liner. The schmear can work on an above ground skimmer, however it would be cheaper and less hassle to replace the skimmer than to repair. If you need help just let me know I will be glad to help.
Will this work on a hot tub. Just wondering since it’s hot water. Temp around 103 or 104 degrees
If you are referring to skimmer repair, yes. Once the repair is made the temperature will not affect the repair. Thanks for watching.
Hello, I’m currently trying to repair a crack at the bottom of my skimmer using Hayward schmear compound and MEK. I made the mixture little runny to cover the whole bottom of the skimmer. But it has been more than 48 hrs the mixture feels dry to the touch but the texture is still soft like silicone is that normal?
If the schmear is thicker than 1/4” it will take longer to cure. Leave it set a little longer a you should be fine. Thanks for watching.
A pool guy told me I can mix shaved pvc with M.E.K is the same thing as schmear pellets. Nobody in the USA has the schmear pellets. I ordered a month ago off the web. Supposed to be here on 22nd Aug. I know what's going to happen. They're gonna say they never came in. So I did the pvc and M.E.K but it's not breaking down. Any suggestions?
I would use the schmear because it works, I'm not sure about using PVC. I carry the schmear as well, however the manufacture has it on back order at this time. If you would like to check back I should be able to get it for you when it becomes available.
We have something called metal/plastic weld and it works wonders
Who makes it please?
Is it possible to use acetone as a dissolving agent
No
What does the outside temperature need to be to apply Schmear?
The warmer the better, however you can apply schmear in colder temperatures. Just make sure you are above freezing. Thanks for watching.
Hi, I want to follow this to fix my cracked skimmer box, but the only M.E.K. I can find locally is M.E.K. substitute. Will that work?
If it is the same type of solvent then it should work.
So we just had a brand new pool installed. There is a leak in the skimmer box on one of the inlet tubes on the bottom. 2 leak companies confirmed it. The first time they did the epoxy, and it failed after 2 months. They tried it again and it failed immediately. Now they are switching out the inlet pipe with the unused side. They are giving us a hard time. When they change the pipe, can I completely fill in the new unused inlet pipe with shmear? I want to make sure myself this is fixed. Thanks
Yes, you want to pour the schmear in 1/4” to 1/2” increments so that it will cure faster. If you pour thicker it will still cure, but it will take much longer. Thanks for watching.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies so they repaired our skimmer box. We had 2 pipes, 1 had the leak and the other was empty. They decided to switch the pipe to the empty one and cap off the bad inlet pipe, then completely covered it in epoxy to fill it in. I’m having a hard time trusting the epoxy fix. Can I schmear over epoxy to kind of “seal it all in”?
Yes, however I am not sure if the schmear will bond to the epoxy that was used.
Where do you purchase the schemer?
There is a link in the description of this video for the schmear. I do sell it on my website if you need it. Thanks for watching.
How big of a bag is are the pellets how many bags would I need for roughly 40 in of cracks between two skimmers?
1 bag of schmear has enough material to repair several skimmers. Here is a link for the schmear.
www.hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/p-8735-white-schmear-compound.aspx
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies I too would like to know the quantity/weight of the material that makes up the schmear product you sell.
I tried a few stores here in Australia that Hayward said carried their products, and everyone looked at me as though I had 2 heads, even though I don't live in Tasmania.
This below from another poolstore website in the US of A, regarding the Schmear product:
"Description
Hayward ECX1308 White Schmear Compound
This is a bag of Schmear white pellets that is used with a PVC cleaner to make PVC repairs on equipment like valve ports, cracked gauge threads, and skimmers (freeze ups). It can repair most leaks or breaks in almost any plastic part made of ABS. Cracked ports can easily be fixed using our part #SPX1091Z9 adapter.
Schmear pellets are basically ground up ABS resin or pieces of broken baskets, etc. It is then dissolved in a solvent called M.E.K. This may sometimes be called primer or PVC cleaner. Schmear is similar to PVC solvent cement, which has been used successfully to repair leaking PVC joints, etc. However, Schmear is better suited for repairing broken ABS products."
🌏
I too have enjoyed finding your very informative and helpful videos..... Thanks
1 bag of schmear has enough material to repair several skimmers. Here is a link for the schmear.
www.hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/p-8735-white-schmear-compound.aspx
Or jb weld for plastic works well
is MEK substitute ok?
Alternative products are Methylene Chloride or PVC cleaner.
where do you get this and why didnt you demo the product
There is a link in this video for the schmear and other items mentioned. The MEK has to be purchased at a local paint store.
Looks like no one is carrying the Hayward Schmear anymore. Not sure why. Any idea if there is a replacement product?
This can be ordered on our site, see link below. It is limited inventory right now.
www.hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/search.aspx?searchterm=ecx1308
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies do you still have this in stock? thanks
@@jamestumminelli8737 No, we are currently awaiting for more to arrive. I will comment as soon as it's back in stock, hopefully within the next 7-10 days.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies great please do thank you
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Still nothing? And couldn’t I just make my own by taking a piece of old skimmer and chopping it up? Thanks
Our leak stops right at the lip of the skimmer. Inside the skimmer, water has gone down level with the connecting PVC pipes. My best guess is we need a Schmear. Confirming, the pellets are simply ABS, correct?
Hayward schmear is an ABS product, if you are interested here is the link
www.hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/p-8735-white-schmear-compound.aspx
Thanks, I saw the Hayward product for ~ $60. I'm seeing ABS Plastic Pellets for $16/lb. So, I should be seeking ABS pellets?
@@Eric-wg2ls I would verify that the ABS pellets you found will bond to your skimmer.
Big rains last week filled the pool and skimmer. I've not run the pump for a week. Pool level unchanged. Recently replaced a broken valve and suspect this area. Yet no leaky water. Head scratching
@@Eric-wg2ls If you have any questions feel free to contact me I will be glad to help troubleshoot this issue.
Do you know of anybody in the Tampa Bay/ Brandon FL area that performs this type of repair?
I don't, but there is a lot of pool companies in that area and I am sure you will find one.
How do I order the shmeer
Here's the link for the schmear;
hallmarkpoolsupplies.com/p-8735-white-schmear-compound.aspx
What is the name of the Smear please.
The brand of schmear that we carry is made by Hayward and it is simply called schmear.
I have several projects for which Schmear would be perfect, starting with my skimmer. But my experience is the same as another commenter who can't get the pellets into a creamy state. I have followed your instructions to the letter, have tried more MEK, have stirred patiently and endlessly but can't get past the "gravel" your other customer mentioned. I know you must have your own tricks to get to the creamy/tooth-paste , please share in detail. I think the mixing process deserves its own video. Do NOT tell me to add more MEK (yes, it is pure MEK) or tell me to just keep stirring. I want this product to work. So far it hasn't. Bennett Gates
What brand of Schmear do you have?
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies Yours. Hallmark, from a local pool repair shop. The recommended ratios of meK to schmear still didn't work on a second try. here's what I finally did. Used equal parts MEK and schmear, stirred for a while, then started shaking/stirring vigorously every twenty minute or so, putting the lid back on. After about six hours it was getting "maple syrupy" but still filled with lumps. I left the lid off for an hour, got it thick enough to brush on my vertical cracks. Pretty rough. Gave up and went to dinner, lid off. When I got back, there was a skin over the schmear, when I lifted off the skin, I found "mayonnaise" underneath. Stirred it up, poured it out on a board and used a plastic trowel to cut out the '"popcorn," painted/troweled on the mayo with a perfect result!. A couple of suggestions: If you have a better technique, include it with the video. I really want this product to work, the recommended proportions can make you crazy. Maybe sell the schmear more finely ground. When it smooths out, it's truly is a great product. Bennett Gates.
@@bennettgates9260 Glad to here that you finally got it. Hayward schmear is the only schmear I carry. Hayward's schmear use to be slow dissolving, so when you mix it you would close the lid on the jar and wait 24 hrs before it was ready to use. Hayward changed the formula to a quick dissolving schmear that is ready to use in minutes. The only schmear they have today is the new formula and it also should have came with instructions. I don't make the schmear, Hayward makes it and there are other companies that also make schmear this is why I ask what brand did you get.
Why don't you mention that lowering the water in the pool will not allow a dry environment for a pool with equalizers? How do you remove that water?
The skimmer in the video did not have an equalizer, however some skimmers do have equalizers and in most cases you can remove the cover. Use a shop vac to dry out the skimmer. If needed, you can also lower the water in the pool a little more. Thanks for watching.
@@HallmarkPoolSupplies I think I need to put a stopper in the equalizer port. I vac out the water and it keeps flowing in. I'm afraid to go lower in the pool since it's fiberglass. Thanks for the tip.
Leak detection company told me that I have cracks on both of pool skimmers on the neck? Where is the neck?
This is the main body of the skimmer (sides) where your basket goes. Thanks for watching.
so you couldn’t really do a repair on a old skimmer what a waste of time