Pool Troubleshooting /
How to Find a Pool Skimmer Leak and Choose the Right Repair
Learn how to tell whether your pool skimmer is leaking, inspect the gasket and faceplate safely, and decide when a simple repair is enough—or when to call a pro.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Oct 28, 2025 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
Verify the skimmer is at fault
When it comes to a pool skimmer leak, the first order of business is to confirm that is in fact where the water is going. Do not put down evaporation or splash-out as the cause without a simple check. You will know you have a leak if the pool level is dropping in a way that correlates with the pump being on, if there is air in the system, or if you notice dampness on the side of the pool wall by the skimmer.
Tell-tale signs are:
- A more rapid loss of water when the pump is in operation
- The pool level ceasing to drop once it is below the skimmer’s bottom
- Damp seams, drips or a small stream at the opening
- Staining or wet soil on the exterior of the pool wall
Should the water levels inside and out not add up, resist the urge to make assumptions; a structural crack or something in the plumbing could be to blame.
A safe visual inspection
Turn the pump off before you put your hands on the faceplate or basket. Heed the equipment manual and don your PPE. It is never wise to reach into suction equipment while it is running, so keep your hands clear of any moving parts.
Give the following a good look over:
- Any broken plastic in the throat, weir or basket
- Warped edges or an unevenly seated faceplate
- The gasket for signs of wear, pinching or flattening
- Screws that may be loose, stripped or corroded
- The body of the skimmer and the pool wall for hairline cracks or separation
A problem with the gasket will often manifest as a leak around the faceplate. If you find it around the body of the skimmer, it is a more serious matter involving the wall connection or the body itself.
Let the symptoms dictate the repair
Do not force a fix; let what you see guide you.
- Faceplate is not sitting right: Tighten the screws per the manual but no more. Forcing them can warp the piece and exacerbate the leak.
- Gasket is the issue: Whether it is the butterfly or the skimmer gasket, a damaged one should be replaced, not patched.
- Broken trim or basket: Put in a new part.
- Housing or hidden plumbing: Leave this to a technician.
There is no value in using duct tape, a squirt of silicone or some universal sealant to cover things up. On wet or moving surfaces those kinds of shortcuts will fail and only mask the true nature of the problem.
What to avoid
Homeowners can easily make a minor drip into a major project with a few missteps. Don’t put in an old gasket because it appears adequate, or tighten screws haphazardly and distort the faceplate. Clean and dry the area before installing anything. And do not treat every above-ground skimmer leak as if they were identical. If the leak only makes itself known with the pump on, don’t overlook it.
For an inground vinyl or fiberglass pool, or an above-ground model, the proper repair is contingent on the skimmer design and the source of the leak.
Time to get a professional
If the skimmer body is cracked or leaking at the bottom, or if the water is disappearing at a fast rate despite your efforts, make a call. The same goes if you spot settling or damage outside the pool wall, or if electrical wiring is in question.
A pro will be able to put his finger on hidden damage and stop the leak from coming back. And if there is an electrical fault or the water does not seem safe, stay out of the pool until it has been dealt with.