How to Use a Swimming Pool Hand Skimmer

Hand skimmers or "pool skimmers" keep pools and outdoor spas clean by removing leaves and other debris too large for pool or spa filters. Using a swimming pool hand skimmer is incredibly easy. Usage varies only slightly between type (leaf, deep bag, vacuum, remote, and so on) and handle length. You should have no trouble using one to keep your swimming pool clean this summer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Place the skimmer just below the surface of the water if you're using a basic flat-style leaf skimmer. Gently slide the skimmer head along the surface until you have "scooped" up leaves and other debris. Dump the debris and repeat until you've removed all the large pieces. When finished, be sure to wash the skimmer head surface with water from a garden hose.

2. Dunk your deep bag leaf skimmer into the water as deep as you wish it to go and scoop up debris from the bottom of the pool or leaves and debris floating on top. A deep bag leaf skimmer, as its name suggests, unlike a basic flat-style leaf skimmer, has a large bag attached to "catch" large pieces of debris. This type of skimmer works like a butterfly net--it creates a netted trap for leaves and debris that the basic flat-style leaf skimmer cannot.

3. Attach a vac kit to a pool vacuum or garden hose (depending on the model of vac) and vacuum or suck away leaves, debris and pool bottom dirt. This type of hand skimmer acts like a wet shop vac--it functions as a normal vacuum in water-related situations. Once you have finished vacuuming, simply dump the attached reusable collection bag.

4. Use a remotely controlled catamaran-style pool skimmer. A catamaran-style pool skimmer looks like a child's toy boat, but with a large netted skimming bag attachment. As the catamaran glides over the water, leaves, dirt and other debris float into the attached bag. The remote control feature makes this an even easier option for keeping the swimming pool free of debris.