How To Remove Stuck Pool Skimmer Basket (Solved)

The pool skimmer basket is supposed to do its job and stay out of the way.

Unfortunately, it’s possible for the pool skimmer basket to not work properly. This is when you are going to have a situation where the pool skimmer basket is trapped.

Do not let this continue because it is going to take away from how the pool skimmer works and how the rest of the equipment is set up.

It is important to learn how to remove the stuck pool skimmer basket.

To remove a stuck pool skimmer basket, apply a lubricant such as WD-40 to loosen the basket. Next, tap the basket with a mallet and then begin to twist it. As you twist the basket, pull upward to get it to come off. It’s also recommended to use heat.

It is best to mix and match these solutions to see what works on the stuck pool skimmer basket. It might not be as easy as it looks if you are not taking the time to figure out how to approach the issue at hand.

This article is going to show you how to remove a stuck pool skimmer basket the right way.

Steps On How To Remove Stuck Pool Skimmer Basket

1. Use A Lubricant Like WD-40

You need something to help manage the dryness of the pool skimmer basket and help create less friction. This is the only way you are going to get the stuck pool skimmer basket to budge.

What are you going to use to do this?

You will want to look at applying a bit of WD-40 to work on the stuck pool skimmer basket.

The WD-40 is going to lubricate the basket and make it easier to pull on. Otherwise, you are going to notice how it will not budge regardless of how much force you apply.

It’s essential to start with this step and find a way to prepare the pool skimmer basket for what’s going to happen as soon as you go through the process.

2. Tap With A Mallet

You will want to apply a bit of pressure from the top.

This is how you going to help loosen the pool skimmer basket. A great example of this is when you are holding a stuck jar in your hand and then tap it on the side to loosen the hold. This does work with the jar and it will work here too.

Just take a mallet to do this.

Tapping on the top is going to help loosen the basket enough for you to twist it. Do not hit it hard.

As soon as you do this, the basket is going to become easier to pull on and you feel it in your hands.

3. Twist And Pull

Now it is time to begin working on the stuck pool skimmer basket.

If the pool skimmer basket does not move, you are going to twist. As soon as you begin to twist, you will notice the pool skimmer basket is going to move and that is when you are going to pull at the same time.

Pulling up is how you are going to get the basket to move.

This is going to take a bit of force but you will have to keep doing this to take advantage of the lubricant that was applied to the pool skimmer basket.

4. Use Heat

Let’s assume nothing else works and you have gone through a long list of steps.

What can you do now?

To take off the stuck pool skimmer basket, you are now going to apply heat. This can be done with anything that is going to produce enough heat to help the pool skimmer basket loosen a bit.

Most people will want to target specific parts of the basket but it is about getting to the parts that are not budging. This is how you are going to get the heat to open up the basket and get it to loosen enough for you to pull upward.

Final Thoughts

It is the only way to manage a situation where you want to find out how to remove a stuck pool skimmer basket.

To remove a stuck pool skimmer basket, it’s best to apply a lubricant such as WD-40 and then tap the top with a mallet. Once this is done, begin to twist the pool skimmer basket and then pull upward at the same time to get it to loosen. It is often recommended to use heat for the process too.

This is how you are going to make sure things progress the right way and you do get the pool skimmer basket back into shape.

If the pool skimmer basket is not right, the rest of the pool equipment is not going to work adequately either.