Pool Skimmer Repair & Replacement
Think your skimmer is leaking? Call us at +1-703-665-5333 — a failed skimmer can lose hundreds of gallons per day and pull air into your pump.
How Skimmers Cause Water Loss
A pool can lose hundreds of gallons per day through a failed skimmer — without any visible wet spot or plumbing leak. There are three distinct failure modes, and correctly diagnosing them determines whether a repair or full replacement is the right call.
Plastic Housing Crack
The skimmer body itself develops cracks from UV exposure, freeze-thaw stress, or impact. Cracks above the water line cause suction loss; cracks below cause water loss. Can sometimes be epoxy-sealed, but replacement is usually the permanent fix.
Skimmer-to-Shell Joint Failure
The joint where the plastic skimmer attaches to the pool shell (gunite or vinyl) degrades over time. In gunite pools this often means the plaster separating from the skimmer throat — a very common leak point that's invisible unless you dye-test the joint.
Skimmer Plumbing Failure
The PVC pipe attached to the skimmer's suction port cracks at the fitting or separates underground. The skimmer itself is fine, but water exits at the pipe joint. Diagnosed via pressure test, not visual inspection.
What Skimmer Replacement Involves
Drain the Pool Partially
The water level must drop below the skimmer opening — typically 12–18 inches below the coping — to access and work on the skimmer housing.
Remove Existing Skimmer
The old skimmer faceplate, throat, and housing are removed. In gunite pools, surrounding plaster is chipped away to free the skimmer body.
Inspect Plumbing & Shell
With the skimmer out, we inspect the suction pipe at the fitting point and the pool shell opening for damage, voids, or additional cracking that needs to be addressed.
Install New Skimmer
A new skimmer body (matching or upgraded to a wider-mouth model) is set, bonded to the pool shell with hydraulic cement, and sealed. The plumbing connection is remade.
Replaster Skimmer Throat
In gunite pools, the area around the new skimmer is repaired with hydraulic plaster to create a smooth, watertight transition between the new housing and the existing pool interior.
Typical Cost Ranges (DMV Area)
Estimates reflect current DMV market rates. Final pricing depends on pool construction type, skimmer count, plumbing access, and accompanying plaster repair scope.
Vinyl liner note: Vinyl liner skimmer replacement covers the skimmer housing and plumbing reconnection only — it does not include replacing the pool liner itself. If the liner is cut for skimmer access and needs re-cutting or patching, that is quoted separately.
How Long Will My Pool Be Out of Service?
A typical skimmer replacement requires a partial drain (12–18" below coping) and takes 1–2 days on-site. For gunite pools, the hydraulic plaster collar around the new skimmer needs 24–48 hours to cure before the pool is refilled.
Refill time (if draining to the skimmer line) is typically 6–12 hours depending on hose flow rate — plan for the pool to be unavailable for 2–4 days total in most cases.
Quick timeline
- 🕐 Day 1: Partial drain + removal
- 🔩 Day 1–2: Install + replaster collar
- ⏳ Day 2–3: Cure (gunite pools)
- 💧 Day 3–4: Refill + balance
Related services
Not sure if it’s the skimmer?
If you’re losing water but the source isn’t obvious, a professional leak detection visit can pinpoint whether the skimmer, plumbing, or shell is responsible — before any repair work begins.
Related Services
Pool Leak Detection →
Skimmer failure is confirmed using dye and pressure testing — we diagnose first, then recommend the right repair.
Pool Filtration Systems →
Skimmers and filters work in tandem — skimmer replacement is often timed with a filter service or upgrade.
Pool Pump Repair →
Proper skimmer function depends on adequate pump suction — we verify flow rate after every skimmer job.
What Our Customers Say
April 2025
“Robert Moore coordinates pool cleaning assignments and contracts and does an excellent job of organizing pool cleaning/repair visits. Dragan Kostadinovic is my " go to" man for organizing pool cleanings and making major repairs to our older pool, including underground hose repairs, skimmer replacements, and rebuilding and replacing pumps and valves and filters above ground. He has one particular employee who is an experienced genius in regard to determining the water flow of valves and determining solutions to complex problems. We eventually will ask them to reline the plaster in our pool because I seriously do not TRUST anyone else to do it. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, Remodelling, General repairs & maintenance, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
June 2025
“Beltway Pools saved us when our pool was leaking. The team was quick to diagnose the issue, and Dragan made sure everything was fixed properly. The repair process was smooth and efficient.”
April 2023
“I reviewed multiple proposals on rebuilding a pool upon the purchase of our new house. The previous owner had deferred maintenance on literally every aspect of the pool. Our pool required 100% replacement of the filtration system, heater, skimmers and reconstruction of the drainage system, pool floor, tile and coping. Beltway Pools was by far the most responsive of the bidders with the most reasonable and easiest to understand pricing. Anything that I required clarity on they provided. We now are almost a year past the initial work and they did not deviate one penny from their original pricing. They continue to support us with weekly visits (incremental cost but well worth it) for cleaning and chemical balancing. We are very pleased with our service from Beltway Pools. -Andrew T. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, General construction, Remodelling, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
Areas We Serve
Serving homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC.
View all service areasSkimmer Replacement — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pool skimmer replacement cost?
Pool skimmer replacement in the Northern Virginia / Maryland area typically costs $800–$2,000 installed, depending on the type of skimmer (standard concrete pool skimmer vs. specialty format), pool surface material, and whether structural gunite repair is needed around the old skimmer opening. Skimmer replacement almost always requires partial draining and typically takes one to two days. Contact us for a written estimate.
Can a cracked skimmer cause my pool to lose water?
Yes — a cracked or failing skimmer throat, skimmer body, or the bond between the skimmer and pool shell is one of the most common sources of pool leaks. Water can escape through hairline cracks in the skimmer plastic, through the sealant joint where the skimmer meets the gunite shell, or through a separated plumbing fitting at the skimmer outlet. If you're losing water and can't identify the source, the skimmer should be one of the first areas dye-tested during a leak detection visit.
Does the pool need to be drained to replace the skimmer?
Yes — skimmer replacement requires draining the pool to a level below the skimmer opening (typically 12–18 inches below the water line tile). The old skimmer must be removed and the surrounding gunite cut back if needed, then the new skimmer is set, bonded, and waterproofed before the pool is refilled. We manage the entire drain-and-refill process as part of the skimmer replacement project. In most DMV homes, a pool drain takes 6–12 hours and refill takes 12–24 hours depending on your fill rate.
How long does skimmer replacement take?
Skimmer replacement is typically a 2–3 day project from start to swim-ready:
- Day 1 — Drain pool to below skimmer level, remove old skimmer, prep the opening
- Day 2 — Install new skimmer, waterproof sealant and bond coat, any necessary gunite patching
- Day 2–3 — Refill pool, balance chemistry, confirm skimmer is operating correctly
If surrounding tile or coping was disturbed during removal, additional time may be needed for those repairs. We'll give you a specific timeline during your consultation.