How Many Skimmers Does a Pool Need?

Pool skimmers are a vital part of pool maintenance. They help to remove debris from the water and keep it clean for swimmers. But how many skimmers does a pool need?

This is a question that gets asked all the time but has no simple answer. It depends on your pool size as well as other factors.

In this article, I’ll break this down for you and show you what you need to know about how many skimmers a pool needs.

What is a pool skimmer?

A skimmer is a device that collects surface debris from the pool’s surface when there is no active water circulation. It does this by passing the pool water through a fine mesh screen and then suctioning out the waste collected in the bottom of the chamber.

The types of pool skimmers

Skimmers come in three main styles: basket, weir, and surface skimmers.

Basket and weir skimmers are installed underwater and catch debris as pool water flows over them. Surface skimmers are installed above the pool’s surface at the waterline and collect debris that floats on top of the water.

How many pool skimmers do I need?

If you have too few skimmers, it means they won’t capture all floating debris. Likewise, if you have too many skimmers, it will reduce the suction that each slimmer has. For this reason, they’ll not work effectively.

So, how many skimmers do I need?

The number of skimmers a swimming pool needs is dependent on the pool’s shape and size. However, the standard rule is to have one skimmer for every 400 square feet of pool surface area.

Hence, measure the pool surface area in square feet and divide by 400. This will give you the number of pool skimmers you need.

For instance, if you have a 20 x 40 feet rectangular pool, the number of skimmers is:

Pool surface area: 40 x 20 = 800 square feet

No. of skimmers: 800/400 = 2

But there are instances where you’ll get a decimal point. For example, let’s say the pool surface area is 900 square feet.

Hence, the number of skimmers will be:

900/400 = 2.5

In this case, round off to the next whole number, which is 3. Therefore, a 900 square feet pool will require three skimmers.

Where should I place the pool skimmer?

As far as the location goes, there aren’t any hard rules. However, better results are guaranteed when the skimmer is placed in the path of the pool water. To achieve this, the pool owner should set the skimmers at the opposite end of where the water enters the pool.

FAQs

Do pool skimmers need to be on all the time?

Pool skimmers should be up and working whenever the pool pump is on. However, the pool pump doesn’t usually run 24 hours a day.

Can I use an above ground pool skimmer on an inground pool?

No. This is because the plumbing ad mounting of each skimmer differs. Hence, it’s difficult to mount an above ground swimming pool skimmer to an inground pool. Likewise, you can’t mount an inground pool skimmer to an above ground pool.

Should I use the main drain or skimmers?

Whether to use the skimmer or the main drain depends on the location of the debris.

If the pool has leaves and floating debris on the water level, use a skimmer. However, if it has dirt and debris at the bottom, use the min drain.

Conclusion

 I hope this article has helped you determine how many skimmers you need for your pool system. Essentially, how many skimmers you need depends on the size and shape of your pool. The larger the pool, the more skimmers you’ll need.

Though rare, there are instances where the pool comes in very complicated shapes. In such a case, it’s best to consult with a professional. Also, ensure to clean the skimmer basket for better performance.