Pool Skimming

Pool Skimmers and Their Uses: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to the world of pool skimmers! As a pool owner, you know that maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of your pool is essential. One of the key tools you’ll need to ensure your pool stays sparkling and inviting is a pool skimmer. This handy piece of equipment removes floating debris like leaves, bugs, and dirt before they sink to the bottom of your pool. Without a pool skimmer, you’ll be dealing with a dirty pool and a clogged filtration system. So, let’s dive into the different types of pool skimmers and how to use them effectively.

Pool Skimmers and why you need one.

A pool skimmer is an essential tool for any swimming pool owner. It is designed to remove debris such as leaves, insects, and other floating particles from the surface of the water. This not only helps to keep the pool clean and clear but also helps to maintain the pool’s circulation and filtration system.

Pool skimmers come in different types, including automatic skimmers that are attached to the pool’s filtration system and operate continuously, and manual skimmers that are handheld devices used to manually remove debris from the pool’s surface. Having a properly functioning pool skimmer is crucial for the overall cleanliness and maintenance of a swimming pool.

Types of pool skimmer and how to choose

With so many types of pool skimmer, different pool skimmer models and makes on the market, how to do you choose the right type of pool skimmer for your pool? The first thing to do is to consider the type of pool you have. Is it built into the ground (an ‘in-ground’...

Above Ground Pool Skimmers: What You Need to Know

Above ground pool skimmers are essential parts of a pools filtration system. Your first line of defense against the build up of pathogens in your swimming pool water. These pathogens include algae, bacteria and viruses. While pool skimmers, and the pool filtration...

Handheld Skimmers

How they work: Handheld skimmers are manual skimmers attached to a telescopic pole, allowing you to skim debris from the surface of your pool. They’re typically made of a lightweight mesh material that easily captures floating debris.

Unique Features, Pros, and Cons:

  • Quick and easy to use
  • Doesn’t require electricity
  • Affordable
  • Limited by pole length and user effort
  • Can be time-consuming for large pools

Best For: Handheld skimmers are perfect for small to medium-sized pools and for those who prefer hands-on pool maintenance. They can also be useful for spot skimming when debris is particularly noticeable.

How to Attach Pool Skimmer Net to Aluminum Pole

You will need to attach your pool skimmer net to the pole whenever you take the net off to clean it, or whenever you need to alternate the net with the pool cleaning brush. You may also want to change skimmer nets according to what, how much, how many times, or how...
U.S. Pool Supply Swimming Pool 5 Foot Leaf Skimmer Net with 4 Aluminum Pole Sections - 6" Deep Ultra Fine Mesh Netting Bag Basket for Fast Cleaning of the Finest Debris - 60" Long, Clean Spas, Ponds
GKanMore Pool Skimmer Net with 17-41 inch Telescopic Pole Leaf Skimmer Mesh Rake Net for Spa Pond Swimming Pool, Pool Cleaner Supplies and Accessories
Clothclose Pool Skimmer - Pool Net with 3 Section Pole, 17" x 35", Pool Skimmer Net with Fine Mesh Net, Telescopic Aluminum Pole, Plastic Frame, Ultra-fine Pool Skimmer for Ponds, Fish Tank, Hot Tub
POOLWHALE Professional Pool Skimmer Net,Fine Mesh Net Bag,Heavy Duty Swimming Leaf Skimmer Cleaning Tool - Fast Cleaning,Debris Pickup Removal- Fits Standard Swimming Pool Poles
SORSWEET Pool Skimmer Net 26.8 inches, Pool Net with Aluminum Pole, Fine Mesh Pool Net for Cleaning Small Swimming Pools, Ponds, Hot Tub, and Spas
U.S. Pool Supply Swimming Pool 5 Foot Leaf Skimmer Net with 4 Aluminum Pole Sections - 6" Deep Ultra Fine Mesh Netting Bag Basket for Fast Cleaning of the Finest Debris - 60" Long, Clean Spas, Ponds
GKanMore Pool Skimmer Net with 17-41 inch Telescopic Pole Leaf Skimmer Mesh Rake Net for Spa Pond Swimming Pool, Pool Cleaner Supplies and Accessories
Clothclose Pool Skimmer - Pool Net with 3 Section Pole, 17" x 35", Pool Skimmer Net with Fine Mesh Net, Telescopic Aluminum Pole, Plastic Frame, Ultra-fine Pool Skimmer for Ponds, Fish Tank, Hot Tub
POOLWHALE Professional Pool Skimmer Net,Fine Mesh Net Bag,Heavy Duty Swimming Leaf Skimmer Cleaning Tool - Fast Cleaning,Debris Pickup Removal- Fits Standard Swimming Pool Poles
SORSWEET Pool Skimmer Net 26.8 inches, Pool Net with Aluminum Pole, Fine Mesh Pool Net for Cleaning Small Swimming Pools, Ponds, Hot Tub, and Spas
$13.99
$16.88
$17.99
Price not available
$12.99
U.S. Pool Supply Swimming Pool 5 Foot Leaf Skimmer Net with 4 Aluminum Pole Sections - 6" Deep Ultra Fine Mesh Netting Bag Basket for Fast Cleaning of the Finest Debris - 60" Long, Clean Spas, Ponds
U.S. Pool Supply Swimming Pool 5 Foot Leaf Skimmer Net with 4 Aluminum Pole Sections - 6" Deep Ultra Fine Mesh Netting Bag Basket for Fast Cleaning of the Finest Debris - 60" Long, Clean Spas, Ponds
$13.99
GKanMore Pool Skimmer Net with 17-41 inch Telescopic Pole Leaf Skimmer Mesh Rake Net for Spa Pond Swimming Pool, Pool Cleaner Supplies and Accessories
GKanMore Pool Skimmer Net with 17-41 inch Telescopic Pole Leaf Skimmer Mesh Rake Net for Spa Pond Swimming Pool, Pool Cleaner Supplies and Accessories
$16.88
Clothclose Pool Skimmer - Pool Net with 3 Section Pole, 17" x 35", Pool Skimmer Net with Fine Mesh Net, Telescopic Aluminum Pole, Plastic Frame, Ultra-fine Pool Skimmer for Ponds, Fish Tank, Hot Tub
Clothclose Pool Skimmer - Pool Net with 3 Section Pole, 17" x 35", Pool Skimmer Net with Fine Mesh Net, Telescopic Aluminum Pole, Plastic Frame, Ultra-fine Pool Skimmer for Ponds, Fish Tank, Hot Tub
$17.99
POOLWHALE Professional Pool Skimmer Net,Fine Mesh Net Bag,Heavy Duty Swimming Leaf Skimmer Cleaning Tool - Fast Cleaning,Debris Pickup Removal- Fits Standard Swimming Pool Poles
POOLWHALE Professional Pool Skimmer Net,Fine Mesh Net Bag,Heavy Duty Swimming Leaf Skimmer Cleaning Tool - Fast Cleaning,Debris Pickup Removal- Fits Standard Swimming Pool Poles
Price not available
SORSWEET Pool Skimmer Net 26.8 inches, Pool Net with Aluminum Pole, Fine Mesh Pool Net for Cleaning Small Swimming Pools, Ponds, Hot Tub, and Spas
SORSWEET Pool Skimmer Net 26.8 inches, Pool Net with Aluminum Pole, Fine Mesh Pool Net for Cleaning Small Swimming Pools, Ponds, Hot Tub, and Spas
$12.99

Automatic Skimmers

How they work: Automatic skimmers are usually attached to your pool’s circulation system, either in the form of a built-in skimmer or a suction-side skimmer that connects to your pool’s skimmer or vacuum line. They’re designed to continuously clear debris as your pool pump operates.

Unique Features, Pros, and Cons:

  • Saves time by automatically skimming debris
  • Low maintenance
  • May require additional plumbing or electricity setup
  • Can be more expensive than handheld skimmers

Best For: Automatic skimmers are ideal for those who prefer a low-maintenance solution and have larger pools that would require a significant amount of manual skimming.

Robotic Pool Skimmers are the ultimate in pool maintenance

The very latest generation in automatic pool skimmers are robotic pool skimmers. They are hyper-efficient and work independently of the pool pump to skim the top 1/3 of your pool as needed. You can run them for as little as a few hours, or you can let them chug...

Types Of Floating Pool Skimmers And How They Work

Floating pool skimmers come in many models. You’ve seen them floating about in swimming pools, attached to the automatic pool cleaner vacuum. Sometimes they float into a corner and get stuck if the pool cleaner isn’t going. It is a floating pool skimmer, and kit does...
Betta 2 - Solar Powered Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer with Twin Chip-Controlled Salt Chlorine Tolerant (SCT) Motors (White)
SkimmerMotion Original - The Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner - Clarifier Pool Skimmer - Suction Skimmer for Pools
Intex Deluxe Wall-Mounted Swimming Pool Surface Automatic Clean Skimmer (2 Pack)
28000 Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer for Above Ground Pools 28000E Replacement for Intex QAYAUX oem parts
Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner by Pooldevil Pro
Betta 2 - Solar Powered Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer with Twin Chip-Controlled Salt Chlorine Tolerant (SCT) Motors (White)
SkimmerMotion Original - The Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner - Clarifier Pool Skimmer - Suction Skimmer for Pools
Intex Deluxe Wall-Mounted Swimming Pool Surface Automatic Clean Skimmer (2 Pack)
28000 Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer for Above Ground Pools 28000E Replacement for Intex QAYAUX oem parts
Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner by Pooldevil Pro
$439.90
$91.83
$38.04
$47.81
$47.99
-
Betta 2 - Solar Powered Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer with Twin Chip-Controlled Salt Chlorine Tolerant (SCT) Motors (White)
Betta 2 - Solar Powered Automatic Robotic Pool Skimmer with Twin Chip-Controlled Salt Chlorine Tolerant (SCT) Motors (White)
$439.90
SkimmerMotion Original - The Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner - Clarifier Pool Skimmer - Suction Skimmer for Pools
SkimmerMotion Original - The Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner - Clarifier Pool Skimmer - Suction Skimmer for Pools
$91.83
Intex Deluxe Wall-Mounted Swimming Pool Surface Automatic Clean Skimmer (2 Pack)
Intex Deluxe Wall-Mounted Swimming Pool Surface Automatic Clean Skimmer (2 Pack)
$38.04
28000 Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer for Above Ground Pools 28000E Replacement for Intex QAYAUX oem parts
28000 Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer for Above Ground Pools 28000E Replacement for Intex QAYAUX oem parts
$47.81
-
Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner by Pooldevil Pro
Automatic Pool Surface Cleaner by Pooldevil Pro
$47.99

Importance of Using Pool Skimmers

Pool skimmers play a crucial role in maintaining a clean and hygienic swimming environment. Regularly skimming your pool:

  • Prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and algae
  • Reduces the need for frequent chemical treatments
  • Enhances the effectiveness of your pool filtration system
  • Prolongs the lifespan of your pool equipment

Tips for Using Pool Skimmers Efficiently and Safely

  • Skim your pool daily, or as often as needed, depending on the amount of debris
  • Choose the right type of skimmer for your pool size and location
  • Regularly clean and maintain your skimmers for optimal performance
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use
  • Ensure the safety of swimmers by removing the skimmer from the pool during swim times

Now that you’ve gained an understanding of the different types of pool skimmers and their importance, it’s time for you to keep your pool in tip-top shape. Want to learn more about pool maintenance and other pool-related topics? Subscribe to our newsletter or browse through our related posts for further information and expert advice. Happy swimming!

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How to clean pool with a pool skimmer

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