Fix a leaking pool skimmer by replacing the gasket.

Probably the gasket. The rubber seal between the skimmer and the pool wall dries out, cracks, or gets misaligned. Other signs: you notice the water level dropping faster than evaporation, air bubbles in the pump basket, or a wet spot around the skimmer mouth. You might also hear a sucking sound at the skimmer.

Fix it yourself in ten minutes. Turn off the pump. Remove the skimmer basket. Unscrew the faceplate (usually a few screws). Pull the old gasket off. Clean the groove and the faceplate. Install a new gasket (they’re a few bucks at a pool supply store). Put the faceplate back, tighten screws evenly, and turn the pump back on. Check for air bubbles.

If the leak persists, you probably have a crack in the skimmer housing itself or a pipe joint behind the wall. That’s harder — you’ll need to dig or call someone. But nine times out of ten, it’s the gasket.

Replacing the gasket costs less than a pizza and saves you a hundred-dollar service call.