Opened the pool this year without issues. Skimmer worked fine, good suction when vacuuming. 2 weeks ago had air bubbles coming out in return line and suction was bad so I know I have a pressure side leak. Replaced all the above ground pipes and fittings same issue when skimmer is on. Use main drain only, no issues.
leak detection company is booked up all year. I've called plumbers and none will give a pool a look. I rented concrete saw to cut near the skimmer, cut, broke the cement, dug and found the skimmer and return 1 1/2 pvc almost on top of each other. I lowered the water below the skimmer and ran a hose from sink to skimmer with hot water, used laser temp gauge, bottom pipe. Cut a piece of metal, put between the 2 pipes and then noticed that the cement encasement that holds the skimmer basket to the gunite pool was damp, and the clay around it was wetter than other areas. This was 3 days after I used a wet concrete saw, which I would have to guess would have dried up from using the hose attachment keeping the blade cool.
I cannot find anyone so far that can look, or replace the skimmer basket. I'm not even sure how to size a replacement except for the mouth opening. The pool is probably over 30 years old and don't see any manufacturing info on/in the skimmer.
does anyone have any ideas? I can still cut into the pvc pipe like I was planning, I was then going to reroute with new schedule 40 between the cement deck and a retaining wall, but am really leaning to the issue being at the skimmer basket connection to the pvc.
thanks in advance for any help.