Buying a home with a pool is an exciting experience. When we purchased our current home and pool, I couldn't believe that I actually owned a home with an in ground pool. "How cool is this?" I thought. And it is cool. We love our pool, even with the year round maintenance that is required. It gives our family many hours of fun in our own backyard.
However, let me warn new pool owners of something very imporant. Never, never, never put your hand into your skimmer basket in the dark. For those of you who are not pool owners, the skimmer basket is this device.
A pool skimmer does exactly what it sounds like. It "skims" or helps to filter grass, leaves and other misc items from the water. The pool pump draws water through the skimmer and into a basket located there. The basket catches the larger stuff while allowing smaller items to proceed on to the filter.
Here's a look inside my pool skimmer. I have removed the lid to show you the June bugs who met their bitter end inside the pool skimmer. You can see the draw on the water from the pool pump. And if you'll look closely, you can also make out the skimmer basket located down in the bottom. I keep a piece of brick in it to keep it from floating up when the pump is off.
Now, as all good pool owners will tell you, every now and then, you have to reach your hand down into the skimmer hole to pull out the basket so you can clean it out. Here in Oklahoma, this is a daily task because the wind blows grass and leaves into the pool constantly (at least it does into our pool!)
Remember earlier that I said one should never, never, never pull out the skimmer basket in the dark? Well, here's why.
Yep, that's a snake. And he was in my pool. I found him happily swimming along one morning not long ago when I went out to check the pool. And this is why you should never ever put your hand into your skimmer basket after dark, at least if you live in Oklahoma and the middle part of the country. This guy could have been inside the skimmer basket!
We believe this was a copperhead, which is a poisonous snake found in Oklahoma and other areas. If he had been inside the skimmer (and still alive), he could have bitten me and then I might have met my bitter end!
So, if you buy a house and you're a new in ground pool owner, remember this! Never, ever put your hand into the skimmer basket after dark without a flashlight and carefully checking it first. You might just be surprised at what has found its' way into your little piece of heaven!
Stay safe in your pool and have a great summer!
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