Domakihub Keep Your Pool Skimmer Clean and Running Perfectly
A practical maintenance routine that protects your pump and keeps the water clear.
Reviewed by Domakihub pool pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A clogged or neglected skimmer is one of the most common reasons pools turn green — especially in Greece, where pine needles, olive leaves, and Saharan dust can fill a basket overnight. The video above answers the most frequent question pool owners ask about cleaning frequency; this guide gives you the full step-by-step routine to follow all season long. Whether you manage a private villa, a holiday rental, or a hotel pool, keeping the skimmer in good shape is the single cheapest thing you can do to extend the life of your pump and filter.
What a Pool Skimmer Actually Does
The skimmer is a wall-mounted inlet that draws surface water through a floating weir door, trapping leaves, insects, sunscreen residue, and other floating debris in a removable basket before the water reaches the pump. Because it works at the waterline, it captures contaminants before they sink and decompose, which means far less load on your sanitiser and far fewer algae blooms.
When the basket fills up, flow through the skimmer drops. A starved pump can lose prime, run dry, and overheat — a repair bill that dwarfs a minute of daily basket cleaning. In hot Greek summers, when pools run their pumps for 8–12 hours a day, the skimmer is working hard and needs matching attention.
How Often Should You Clean It?
For most residential pools in Greece, checking the skimmer basket every one to two days during the swim season is the right cadence — more often after a wind event or if the pool is surrounded by trees. Hotel and holiday-rental pools with heavy bather loads may need a daily check as part of the morning opening routine.
The weir door (the small flap that swings open to let surface water in and closes to trap debris) should be inspected weekly. A cracked or missing weir door lets trapped debris float back into the pool the moment the pump turns off. Replace it as soon as it shows signs of brittleness — a spare costs only a few euros and takes two minutes to swap.
How to Maintain Your Pool Skimmer: 5 Steps
- 1
Turn off the pump before opening the skimmer
Always switch the pump off before removing the skimmer lid. Opening the skimmer while the pump is running can create a sudden surge that strains the plumbing and risks drawing air into the lines. Wait a few seconds for the flow to stop completely before lifting the lid.
- 2
Remove and empty the basket
Lift the basket straight up and out. Carry it away from the pool edge before tipping the contents into a bin — shaking debris over the pool just sends it back in. For stubborn organic build-up (algae film, sunscreen residue), rinse the basket with a garden hose and scrub with a stiff brush. Never use bleach directly on a plastic basket; it accelerates cracking.
- 3
Inspect and rinse the skimmer body
With the basket out, shine a torch into the skimmer body and check for leaves or debris that bypassed the basket and settled around the equaliser hole (the small port at the bottom that connects to the main drain). Clear any blockage with a gloved hand or a flexible brush. A quick rinse of the interior keeps algae from colonising the walls.
- 4
Check the weir door and lid O-ring
Confirm the weir door (flap) swings freely and returns to the upright position under light water resistance. If it droops, is cracked, or has gone rigid, replace it. Also inspect the lid O-ring or gasket — a damaged seal draws air into the suction line, causing the pump to lose prime. Lightly coat a good O-ring with pool-grade silicone lubricant each month to keep it supple.
- 5
Replace the basket, restart the pump, and log it
Drop the clean basket back in, seat the lid firmly, and restart the pump. Watch the pressure gauge on your filter for 30 seconds: a stable reading confirms good flow. A pressure spike may signal that a partial blockage is still present in the line. Log each cleaning in a simple pool diary — date, basket fill level, and any parts inspected. For rental properties, this record is invaluable if a guest or insurance adjuster ever questions pool maintenance history.
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FAQ
- How do I know if my skimmer basket needs cleaning?
- The clearest sign is a drop in return-jet strength — the jets from your pool's return inlets will feel weaker than usual. You may also notice the water surface looks less active (skimming action slows). A full basket can also trigger the pump to lose prime, which shows as a gurgling noise from the pump housing. During heavy leaf season in Greece, check the basket visually every day rather than waiting for symptoms.
- Can I put chlorine tablets in the skimmer basket?
- You can, but most pool professionals advise against it for pools with variable-speed pumps or in climates like Greece where the pump may run for long stretches. Concentrated chlorine sitting in the skimmer can corrode the basket, the skimmer body, and the plumbing when flow is low or the pump is off. A floating dispenser or an in-line chlorinator gives more even distribution and protects your equipment.
- What if my skimmer is barely drawing water even with a clean basket?
- First confirm the water level is at the correct height — it should sit in the middle of the skimmer mouth opening. If the water is too low, the skimmer draws air instead of water. If the level is correct, check whether the weir door is stuck in the closed position blocking flow, then inspect the suction line for an air leak (a cracked union or failing lid O-ring). Persistent weak suction with correct water level usually points to a partial blockage in the skimmer throat or underground suction pipe that needs a pressure flush or professional clearing.