Replace the gasket first.

That’s where 90% of skimmer leaks come from. Before you call a pool guy or start tearing up concrete, swap the rubber gasket between the faceplate and the skimmer body. It takes ten minutes and costs under $10.

Turn off the pump, unscrew the faceplate (the plastic ring inside the skimmer), and pull out the old gasket. It’s probably flattened, cracked, or missing. Clean the surfaces, drop in the new gasket, and tighten the screws evenly. Hand-tight is fine – don’t crank.

If that doesn’t stop the leak, check the pipe connections under the skimmer. That’s a tougher fix (needs PVC primer, cement, maybe a coupling). If the skimmer body itself is cracked, you’ll likely need to replace the whole thing. But start with the gasket.

A tube of silicone won’t fix a cracked body, but it’ll buy you a season if the leak is small and you’re desperate.