Sand filtration. Bubbles coming up through skimmer

[vanessa]

I have an above ground pool.
With sand filtration system. when i turn on the filtration the water is initially sucked through the skimmer, then within 30 seconds or less bubbles come out from the skimmer and sucktion stops. I have a small leak from the pipe below the skimmer, could this be causing the bubbles and stopping the skimmer from working?