General Pool/Spa

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	Where should the skimmer be placed?
	What are float valves and equalizers?
	What is a skim vac?
	What is the difference between a wide mouth and standard skimmer?
	What is a weir flap and is it required?
	My weir flap broke, why did it break?
	Do we have any throat extensions?
	Can you use an aboveground skimmer on an in-ground pool?
	What is a main drain?
	How do I convert a main drain cover into an anti-vortex cover?

Where should the skimmer be placed?

• A skimmer should be placed in the path of circulating water. There aren’t any hard rules on location, especially with the popularity of free form pools.
  

What are float valves and equalizers?

• The equalizer valve goes into the skimmer, below the basket to balance the water flow. These are required for commercial applications in order to meet NSF code. The float valve monitors the water flow from the skimmer.  If the flow is obstructed, or the water level fall below the skimmer throat, it will open the equalizer valve so water can be pulled from the main drain, preventing an air lock in the skimmer.
  

What is a skim vac?

• A Skim Vac is a plate and hose fitting that mounts over the skimmer basket and connects to a vacuum hose. This allows the skimmer basket to remain in the skimmer during vacuuming, trapping large debris and preventing the pump from clogging.
  

What is the difference between a wide mouth and standard skimmer?

• The wide mouth is 15 ½” wide and the standard skimmer is approximately 7 ½”. The wide mouth opening allows more surface water to pass into the skimmer. In free form vinyl pools, the skimmer choice is based on the radius of the wall. A wall with too large of a radius will not fit a wide mouth and must use a standard opening.
  

What is a weir flap and is it required?

• The weir flap is a doorway into the skimmer. It has two functions: (1) when the pump is on and the water is moving, the bobbing action of the weir helps draw debris into the skimmer. (2) When the pump is off, the weir prevents the debris from floating out of the skimmer into pool.
• Yes, a weir flap is required in order to maximize the surface cleaning of the skimmer and hold in debris.  Missing weir flaps must be replaced.  
  

 

My weir flap broke, why did it break?

• The weir flap is a moving part that floats up and down with the level of the water. They are normally held in place with two small plastic tabs. Over time, or under extreme corrosive water conditions, the plastic tabs weaken and break.
  

Do we have any throat extensions?

• There are no throat extensions for vinyl liner pools.
• In gunite pools, the throat is formed with concrete and can be made any length that is called for in the design.
   

Can you use an aboveground skimmer on an in-ground pool?

• NO. The testing, plumbing and mounting of each skimmer is different. You would not be able to mount an aboveground skimmer to an in-ground pool wall or the reverse.
  

What is a main drain?

• It is a suction opening at the bottom of a pool or spa. Water is drawn into this opening by the circulation pump
  

How do I convert a main drain cover into an anti-vortex cover?

• Take your old drain cover to your Hayward Authorized dealer. They will be able to cross-reference the old number with the new anti-vortex number. The anti-vortex cover may need to be screwed into place.