How do I clear a clogged pool skimmer line without calling a plumber?

Shut off the pump, stick a drain bladder into the skimmer opening, attach a garden hose, and turn the water on — the expanding rubber seals the pipe and the jet pushes the clog back toward the pool. If that fails, try the same trick from the pump end. For stubborn clogs, use a plumbing snake or shop vac on reverse, but the hose-and-bladder method works 80% of the time in five minutes.