We need to be checking our skimmer baskets regularly. I came upon this skimmer basket the other day and it was nasty. Had a few toys, a water bottle and obviously hadn’t been cleaned in a while. the water going into the skimmer was gurgling which alerted me to something wrong. 
This is what I found.
You can burn your pump out when it can’t get water. This is costly and you risk a green pool while waiting for the install. Not to mention your pool party may have to be cancelled!