Skimmer basket

The skimmer basket is the first line of defense for your pump. It traps leaves, bugs, and trash before they enter the plumbing. Fall in North Texas can fill it in a day.

Empty it every few days, and after storms. A full basket cuts flow and can make the pump run dry. Check that the basket is not cracked, since a broken one lets debris through to the pump basket. Never run the pump with no basket in place.