Skimmer leaks - above ground pool

Don't Ignore Skimmer Leaks

Long term warning: Don't ignore skimmer leaks / rust on an above ground pool.

Since day one I had issues with my skimmer leaking after installing my above ground pool. I have a widemouth skimmer and a butterfly gasket on a small 12x18 oval pool. Leaked from the beginning. Last year I purchased a new gasket, drained to below the skimmer and re-installed. Still had leaks. My theory is that my skimmer opening is positioned on a curve on a small oval pool, thus this area is not optimal for securing this skimmer setup compared to a more straight portion of the pool wall. Anyway, over time the pool wall had been rusting. Finally I discovered that rust had penetrated through one corner of the skimmer opening. The time for action was a long time ago but one more season could not be passed without the rust spreading to do damage that could not be recovered from. Once the pool wall integrity goes, the pool is at risk of collapsing.

Thankfully upon draining the pool below the skimmer level again I found that the wall still has good integrity with the exception of that corner. The rust was glaring on the outside though (no pics), but the inner wall still looked OK. I decided that I will relocate the skimmer when the time comes to replace my liner. 

 

 

For now I ground off all the rust, added a rust dissolver, then primed and painted. The corner I reinforced with caulk and tape. I am using a marine grade underwater caulk to cake onto the skimmer. I don't care how bad it looks now, I wanted no more leaks and relying on the gasket doing the job simply wasn't working. I caulked all around the liner, the screws and the inner skimmer plate. 

This is an unfortunate repair that has worked so far. If I have to drain and re-caulk annually I will, until the liner needs to be replaced. The marine-grade caulk is reported to last underwater and to adhere to vinyl and most plastics. Will provide updates. It is inconvenient to address this problem, but the lesson is - skimmer leaks should not be ignored.

Update: The caulk is still holding and the skimmer is leak free after two months.

Supporting video see below:

Books by Mark Ferdinand

• Fortune on the Spectrum –An Adventure Novel
• You’re Gonna’ Get Bit! –Harrowing Tales of Herpetology
• The Autistic Prankster –Enjoying the Fun Side of Autism
• Every Tiki has a Spirit
• Wild Boar: A Case for the Most Beautiful Game Animal

Beyond paperback Mark’s books can be purchased for Kindle, Android, and Apple devices.

Autism Awareness Month Books

April is autism awareness month! Mark Ferdinand has autism themed books, both fiction and nonfiction.

Autism Awareness Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortune on the Spectrum

Denny was diagnosed with autism at three years of age. Autism gave him the gift of obsession. This gift made him the youngest, self-made millionaire in Texas history. Autism also made him vulnerable to the forces of the outside world, of both society and nature. Fortune on the Spectrum is the journey of an unstoppable young man, destined to succeed and challenged to survive. Denny's story takes you through struggle, humor, love, finance and danger from the voice of an atypical mind. Autism Fiction. Texas Novel.

Autism Novel

Autism Novel

Autism fiction and nonfiction books by Mark Ferdinand. Books with autistic characters. Books with autism themes. An adventure novel and funny, true, autism stories.

 

 

The Autistic Prankster: Enjoying the Fun Side of Autism

We know about all the challenges. These stories focus on the fun and the funny side of autism. While he may not have typical communication skills, surprisingly this can be an asset in the humor department. Funny autism-related moments are a daily occurrence with this young character, and this book is a collection of the most memorable.

Fun autism stories

Books by Mark Ferdinand

• Fortune on the Spectrum –An Adventure Novel
• You’re Gonna’ Get Bit! –Harrowing Tales of Herpetology
• The Autistic Prankster –Enjoying the Fun Side of Autism
• Every Tiki has a Spirit
• Wild Boar: A Case for the Most Beautiful Game Animal

Beyond paperback Mark’s books can be purchased for Kindle, Android, and Apple devices.

Wild Hog Hunting

Wild Hog Hunting

"The consistent backdrop of each hunting scene was the greenery of the surrounding forest. Having visited the Black Forest of Bavaria before this day, I had experienced the darkness it was capable of. Unlike the forests of Colorado where I had grown up, these had a foreboding quality to them. They evoked not a sense of fear necessarily, but a feeling of awe, a cautionary respect for the potential for a young person to be swallowed up and lost in the darkness."

Mark Ferdinand has started 2019 with an entrance into the world of hunting books. Mark’s latest publication is “Wild Boar: A Case for the Most Beautiful Game Animal”

Hunting Books on Wild Boar

Pursued throughout time by kings and the common man, the wild boar has intrigued and beguiled hunters throughout the world. With so much sensational news of problem wild hog populations and unwanted interaction with humans, a need has arisen to remind us all of the nobility that surrounds this ancient and prized game animal. He is near the point of being reviled in some quarters. Author Mark Ferdinand pays tribute to the wild boar and makes the case for elevating its status to that of the most respected wild game species that hunters give chase to.

A humble hunter makes the case for wild boar being the most beautiful game animal.

"The wild boar of my dreams poked its head and half its body out from the brush and was now looking in my direction."

Mark first became fascinated with wild boar during childhood trips to Germany. Here he would visit with family but also learn about the rich history of hunting in the Black Forest and other parts of Bavaria. While visiting castles in the surrounding area he would marvel at the tapestries glorifying the hunt and tribute payed to the wild boar. An uncle showed him the deep traditions of hunting boar in the old country.

Mark Ferdinand lives on the South Texas coast with his wife, daughter, and son. Fishing the surf, hunting, gardening, tiki carving, and DIY projects occupy his spare time. He has written on the topic of autism spectrum disorder, reptiles, mythology, and hunting.
Books by Mark Ferdinand

• Fortune on the Spectrum –An Adventure Novel
• You’re Gonna’ Get Bit! –Harrowing Tales of Herpetology
• The Autistic Prankster –Enjoying the Fun Side of Autism
• Every Tiki has a Spirit
• Wild Boar: A Case for the Most Beautiful Game Animal

Beyond paperback Mark’s books can be purchased for Kindle, Android, and Apple devices.

Replaced strut mount on Jeep Cherokee KL

Replaced strut mount on Jeep Cherokee KL

I was experiencing a clunk when turning the wheel, on tight turns and certain other times. I thought it was because of the lift I installed and lived with it. When I had the Jeep in for a software update the dealer said I needed a new strut and "related components". Made sense that it would be the strut mount and that is exactly what ended up needing to be replaced. So I made a project out of it.

Jeep did not make this strut to easily come out and replace. I did the strut mount replacement only on the driver's side. Some say to remove the knuckle, I instead went this route with the spring compressors. A hassle either way but the price was right.

2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4x4 AD1 2.4l 4cyl



Mark Ferdinand's Books