How To Connect Pool Cleaner To Skimmer?

September 28, 2023 by 

There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in a crystal-clear swimming pool, especially during those hot summer days. But maintaining that pristine pool condition requires a bit of elbow grease and the right tools. Enter the suction pool cleaner—a popular and effective device to keep your pool sparkling. If you’ve recently acquired one and are wondering, “How do I connect this pool cleaner to my skimmer?”, you’ve come to the right place. This guide is dedicated to answering the query: How to connect pool cleaner to skimmer? Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Gather Your Essential Supplies

Before venturing into the actual connection process, it’s pivotal to ensure you have all the requisite items on hand. This not only facilitates a smooth procedure but also ensures you don’t run back and forth in search of tools or accessories. So, what are the essentials when considering how to connect pool cleaner to skimmer?

  • Your Pool Cleaner: Needless to say, your pool cleaner is at the heart of this operation. Depending on your specific model, ensure you have all its parts intact and in working condition.
  • The Pool Cleaner Hose: This will act as the connecting bridge between your skimmer and the pool cleaner. Ensure it’s free of holes or damage to maintain effective suction.
  • Skimmer Basket: This is often an overlooked item, but it’s central to your skimmer. It captures larger debris and prevents it from clogging your pool’s filtration system.
  • Pool Brush: This tool comes in handy to sweep away any lingering debris from the skimmer basket compartment. It ensures a clean connection point for your pool cleaner hose.
  • Screwdriver (optional): Some pool cleaner hoses come with threaded ends that might require a screwdriver to secure them tightly.

Having all these supplies in close proximity ensures a hassle-free and efficient process. With everything at your fingertips, you’re all set to embark on the next phase of the procedure.

Step 2: Preparing Your Skimmer—A Crucial Prelude

Your skimmer plays a foundational role in the entire pool cleaning process. As such, it’s essential to ensure it’s primed and ready to interface with the pool cleaner. Here’s how to adeptly prepare your skimmer:

  1. Empty and Clean the Skimmer Basket: Start by carefully removing the skimmer basket. Discard any accumulated debris or leaves into the trash. This ensures that larger obstructions don’t interfere with the suction and cleaning process.
  2. Brushing the Compartment: With the basket removed, there might still be smaller bits of dirt or algae clinging to the skimmer basket compartment walls. Utilize your pool brush to scrub and dislodge these remnants. A clean compartment guarantees optimal flow and suction for your pool cleaner.
  3. Weir Door Check: If your skimmer is equipped with a weir door—a floating door at the mouth of the skimmer—ensure it’s open and functioning properly. This door improves skimming action by creating a flow of water that pushes debris into the skimmer. Moreover, it prevents debris from floating back into the pool when the pump is off. An open weir door is vital as it allows the suction from your pool pump to effectively reach the pool cleaner hose.

With your skimmer prepped and ready, you’re now poised to enter the heart of the connection process. This is where the magic happens and your pool cleaning endeavors truly commence.

Step 3: Establishing The Connection: Pool Cleaner Hose To The Skimmer

The connection phase is where the rubber meets the road, ensuring that the powerful suction of your pool pump is harnessed by the pool cleaner to remove dirt and debris from your pool. Here’s the procedure to establish a solid connection:

  1. Identifying the Skimmer Inlet: Before connecting anything, you first need to locate the skimmer inlet. This is usually found as a hole inside the skimmer basket compartment. It’s the portal through which your pool cleaner hose will interface with your pool’s suction system.
  2. Securing the Hose: Insert the open end of your pool cleaner hose into the skimmer inlet. Apply a gentle but firm clockwise twist to the hose. This rotation usually ensures a snug fit. In instances where your pool cleaner hose has a threaded end, it’s this stage where your screwdriver comes in handy. Tighten the connection using the screwdriver, ensuring the hose is securely attached and there’s no scope for air leaks.
  3. Purge the Air: It’s of utmost importance that your pool cleaner hose is devoid of air. Any trapped air can hamper the suction doing its job well and potentially damage your pool pump. To achieve this, submerge the other end of the hose into the pool, allowing water to fill the hose. As water fills, you’ll see air bubbles surfacing. Once the bubbling stops, it’s an indicator that the hose is filled with water and devoid of air.

Step 4: Making The Final Connection: Pool Cleaner Head To The Hose

With your hose securely connected to the skimmer and filled with water, it’s time to introduce the main actor – the pool cleaner head.

  1. Locate the Output Fitting: The pool cleaner head will typically have an output fitting, which is the point where it connects to the hose.
  2. Secure the Connection: Insert the filled hose into the pool cleaner head’s output fitting. As with the skimmer connection, a clockwise twist will usually ensure a solid fit. If your pool cleaner head or hose has a threaded end, you may once again need the screwdriver to make sure the connection is tight and secure.

Step 5: Activating The Cleaning Process

The stage is set, and your pool cleaner is now ready to jump into action. Let’s understand the nuances of this process:

  1. Turn On the Pool Pump: With all connections securely in place, initiate the pool pump. This activates the suction process, pulling water through the pool cleaner and allowing it to begin its cleaning journey.
  2. Guiding the Pool Cleaner: As the pool cleaner starts its operations, you’ll notice it moving around the pool floor. While many modern pool cleaners are designed to function autonomously, ensuring complete coverage, you can still guide the pool cleaner using its hose. This is especially handy for targeting specific spots or areas you feel might require additional attention.
  3. Monitor the Operation: While pool cleaners are designed to function independently, it’s a good practice to keep an eye on its movement. This helps ensure it doesn’t get stuck in corners or on pool steps. Regular monitoring also allows you to check if the cleaner is picking up debris efficiently.

Step 6: Wrapping Up: Disconnecting The Pool Cleaner

Once you’re satisfied with the cleanliness of your pool, or after a certain duration (based on manufacturer’s guidelines or personal preference), it’s time to safely disconnect the pool cleaner.

  1. Turn Off the Pool Pump: Before attempting any disconnections, always ensure the pool pump is turned off. This stops the suction and ensures safe removal.
  2. Disconnecting the Hose: Start by gently twisting the pool cleaner hose in a counterclockwise direction from the skimmer inlet. This should release the hose.
  3. Detaching the Pool Cleaner Head: Similarly, twist the pool cleaner hose counterclockwise from the pool cleaner head to safely detach it.

Pro Tips for a Seamless Connection Experience

To ensure you always have an efficient and trouble-free experience when connecting your pool cleaner to the skimmer, keep these pro tips in mind:

  • Routine Skimmer Basket Maintenance: Always make it a habit to frequently check, empty, and clean your skimmer basket. A clean basket ensures optimal suction and prevents larger debris from potentially damaging your pool pump or cleaner.
  • Weir Door Importance: Those with a weir door should ensure it’s functioning optimally. A malfunctioning weir door can hamper the pool’s skimming doing its job well.
  • Check Hose Integrity: Over time, pool cleaner hoses can wear out, develop holes, or lose their elasticity. Regularly inspect them and replace when necessary.

Conclusion

Achieving a spotless pool requires a mix of the right tools and the know-how to use them effectively. Connecting your pool cleaner to the skimmer might seem like a daunting task initially, but with this step-by-step guide, you’re well-equipped to handle it like a pro. So, the next time someone wonders about how to connect a pool cleaner to a skimmer, you can either lend them a hand or simply share this comprehensive guide with them. Dive into a cleaner future and enjoy countless hours of pure, unadulterated joy in your shimmering pool!