Epoxy putty is the quick fix.

Yes, that’s usually where the leak is—where the tile meets the plastic skimmer mouth. Don’t panic.

First, drain the water a few inches below the crack. Clean the area with a wire brush and pool acid (or a diluted muriatic acid wipe) to remove any calcium or old sealant. Rinse, let dry completely. Then mix a two-part epoxy pool putty (the stuff that turns hard like stone) and press it into the crack, smoothing it out. Let cure 24 hours before refilling.

If the crack is along the skimmer faceplate (the outer rim), you might just need to remove the faceplate, clean the gasket, reapply silicone, and tighten screws evenly. A loose faceplate breathes in air and water. That’s a simpler fix than you think.

Most pool leaks at the skimmer are either a bad gasket or a small crack in the plastic. Epoxy handles the crack; a new gasket handles the rest. If the plastic is shattered or the skimmer is pulling away from the gunite/concrete, call a pro. But if it’s just a hairline, you’ve got this.