Skimmer Leaking on an Above Ground Pool

by Carl Wingert

I have a 27foot round above ground pool and have small leaks coming from the skimmer basket. I have the double sided gasket sandwiching the steel wall so there is a gasket on the inside and outside of steel wall. I then have the liner on the inside and then the plastic piece that screws to the basket using approx 14 screws. I have this very tight, but still have some small leaks on the outside of the steel wall.

I don't want to over tighten. I notice I have a second 2 sided gasket. Do I use this in the inside against the liner and the hard plastic piece? I was also considering taking each screw out and adding some marine grade silicone before they go back in.

Any ideas?


Hi Carl. This page explains the process I go through for leaky skimmers.

Replacement Skimmer Leaking

Following these suggestions will probably fix your problem. You don't want to add another gasket to the inside, this would only make it worse. Most of the time the gasket is just slightly out of alignment, usually on the outside of the pool. You need to be able to see the same amount of gasket all the way around the skimmer. Most of the time, for me anyway, there is a small amount of gasket not showing underneath the skimmer. When I loosen all the screws and adjust the gasket so it shows under the skimmer the problem is solved. Other times its just a matter of more tightening on the screws. It takes a lot to over tighten them so don't hesitate to give them all another turn.