Install a floating swimming pool skimmer
Skimmer net on a pole
The filter may be clogged, dirty and need backwashing. The lint bucket may need cleaning out. I have a cedar tree and the needles of this tree go thru the skimmer into the lint bucket and clog it, cutting down the circulation. What does your pressure gauge show?
The easiest, and cheapest way is to turn the suction valves off to everything but the suspected skimmer, if your pump bowl stays full of water, it is fine, if it automatically looses suction, then you have either a break or a blockage. Put a plumbers helper in the suction side of your pump pot and blow whatever blockage you have towards the skimmer. A snake will not work here because your skimmer actually has vacuum (negative) pressure unlike a sewer line,which is not a pressurized line. tritonunderwater.com
The water will spill out through the skimmer, unless the skimmer it is blocked. Otherwise, it will spill over the top. It should not hurt the pool.
Of course you can. The most likely place for them to grow is in the skimmer throat.
They are usually attached with a hose to vac source & float on top.
There is a special puddy you can buy from your local pool place to fix a cracked skimmer. It dries quickly & its easy to use. You may have to do this yearly. We have had to twice now.
Sure you can. You'll need to use a net to clean the junk off the top often so it doesn't sink and cause stains or clog up the main drain.You can however it would be a good Idea to repair or replace the existing skimmer with a different method of skimming say a suction side floating skimmer as there are many materials that float to the top of a swimming pool that may be hazardous to health RB
pointed away from your skimmer on a slight downward angel
You could get yourself a floating swimming pool skimmer. They hook up the same way as an ordinary automatic pool cleaner.They are an Australian pool cleaner known as either the dragonfly supper skimmer. or the pulse surfase cleaner. they are also available from a place in Texas dragonfly floating pool skimmer. othewise you have to use a net
Measure from the skimmer box to the furthermost point away and add 2mt