Do You Remove the Skimmer Basket When Vacuuming the Pool?

If you own or maintain a pool, you might be familiar with how to keep it clean, like using vacuums and skimmers. These various cleaning methods and how to use them together can get confusing, and the way to use them can vary between different types of pools.

You will need to remove the skimmer basket when you vacuum the pool, either manually or with an automatic vacuum if you use the suction inlet at the bottom of the pool skimmer. If you use a pool skimmer vacuum plate or have a dedicated side vacuum port, you will not need to remove it.

Keep reading to learn more about how these tools work together and find out how you need to adjust your pool cleaning methods based on your setup type.

Do you remove skimmer basket when vacuuming pool? When vacuuming your pool, it is recommended to remove the skimmer basket. The skimmer basket collects debris, leaves, and other particles that could lower the suction when vacuuming.

When to remove the skimmer basket

If you vacuum manually and you have a pool that has no separate dedicated pool vacuum port (which is often positioned on one side wall 6-12 inches below the level of the water so that it can be reached easily from the side of the pool) then you will probably need to attach the pool vacuum hose to the inlet at the bottom of one of your skimmers.

If this is the case with your pool, you will need to remove the skimmer basket from the skimmer to gain access to the inlet to insert the vacuum hose.

You will have to do this for the following types of vacuums:

• a manual vacuum on a vacuum pole
• an automatic vacuum, such as a Kreepy Krauly
• a suction side cleaner

Manual vacuum

Suppose you manually vacuum your pool (probably the most common method) and the only place you can insert the vacuum hose is in the inlet at the bottom of the skimmer. In that case, you must remove the skimmer basket to access the inlet.

Automatic vacuum

If you use an automatic vacuum, such as a Kreepy Krauly, and the only place you can insert the vacuum hose is in the inlet at the bottom of the skimmer (as you don’t have a dedicated vacuum port). You must remove the skimmer basket to gain access to the inlet.

Suction side cleaner

These are similar in some ways to the automatic vacuum described above. They are much more complicated, though, as they have driven tracks and generally cyclonic action. They, too, are driven by the suction from the pool pump, so they will need to have the skimmer basket removed to operate.

When to leave the skimmer basket in

There are four types of pool cleaning setups where you will not need to remove the skimmer basket when vacuuming:

• Manual or automatic vacuum using a skimmer plate
• Manual or automatic vacuum using a side vacuum port
• Robotic pool cleaner, such as a Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus (which is the most recommended)
• A pressure side pool cleaner such as a Polaris Vac-Sweep
• In-floor or self-cleaning systems

Manual or automatic vacuum using a skimmer plate

Another option for pool owners with automatic or manual vacuums is the skimmer plate. A skimmer vacuum plate is a vacuum fitting that attaches to the top of a skimmer above the skimmer basket.

The vacuum sends the dirty water through the skimmer plate, and any large dirt and debris is collected in the skimmer basket.

This is an excellent system as it prevents leaves, etc, from going through the system and clogging up the pump strainer basket, which can reduce the amount of suction your vacuum has. I have a skimmer plate, but I no longer use it as I had problems getting a good seal. You may have better luck.

Manual or automatic vacuum using a side vacuum port

Some pools have a dedicated vacuum port, usually in the side of the pool just below the water line. The manual or automatic vacuum hose is inserted in the port instead of at the bottom of the skimmer housing.

There is no need to remove the skimmer basket while vacuuming if you have this system in your pool. 

Robotic pool cleaner

Robotic pool cleaners are entirely automated and work independently from the pump and skimmer system. Robotic pool vacuums are similar to a robotic vacuum that you might find in your house, except that they run underwater.

These vacuums operate by driving around the bottom of the pool and collecting dirt and debris in a compartment that can be emptied after cleaning. Many also climb the sides and even clean the waterline.

Therefore, this pool cleaning system does not require you to remove the skimmer basket while operating since they work separately. 

Pressure side pool cleaner

A pressure-side pool cleaner doesn’t use suction to clean the pool but instead is attached to the water outlet, i.e., the jet where the water returns to the pool after being filtered. The dirt is normally trapped in a filter bag before reentering the pool. So because of this there is no need to remove the skimmer basket while the cleaner is operating..

In-floor or self-cleaning systems

This type of pool cleaning setup requires the least amount of work to maintain but is probably the least common. These systems work independently and entirely at the bottom of the pool. In this type of setup, several pop-up mechanisms work like jets to move the dirt and debris in the pool toward a drain at the bottom. 

You can leave the skimmer basket in the pool while this system runs with no issues. 

Do you remove skimmer basket when vacuuming to waste?

If your pool is very dirty, so you need to vacuum to waste, then precisely the same applies as if you were vacuuming on the filter setting in the sections above. So, briefly, if you are vacuuming by inserting the vacuum hose into the inlet at the bottom of the skimmer, you will need to remove the skimmer basket.

If you use a side vacuum port, skimmer vacuum plate, or robotic pool cleaner, you will not need to remove the skimmer basket.

Do you remove skimmer basket when backwashing?

There is no need to remove the skimmer basket when you backwash your pool filter since you will not insert a pool vacuum hose into the skimmer.

Do I need a skimmer vacuum plate?

Using a skimmer vacuum plate is unnecessary as you can insert the vacuum hose into the bottom inlet of the skimmer. However, a skimmer vacuum plate has the advantage that you can leave the skimmer basket in place when using one.

This means that any larger debris, such as leaves, that you vacuum up will be caught in the skimmer basket. It will not end up in the pool pump strainer basket, which is what would happen if you insert the hose into the bottom of the skimmer.

Skimmer vacuum plates are very cheap, so trying one will cost very little. You can buy one on Amazon – skimmer vacuum plate. Ensure you buy the correct one for your make/model of skimmer.