Lets talk about the common problems with pools and the cause.
If you are a pool owner, you will know by now that common problems with pools is an everyday thing. We have simplified this down to 2 kinds of pool owners. The ones that either have no issues at all and the ones that have issues non stop. These are the people who will say ” Just close the damn thing up it is just costing money!”
So below we will list just some of the common problems with pools.
Pump makes a humming noise when started?
There are a few things which can cause a pool pump to make a humming noise when started. The most common causes are as follows:
- The pumps bearings have seized and are jammed on the shaft
- The pumps capasitor needs to be replaced
- Corrosion on the shaft which can be caused from not running the pump or even change of climate, moisture usually in the areas near the ocean and sand build up.
Your pool is loosing water out the backwash while the pump is on, why?
Now this is the most common problems with pools. When a pool is loosing water through the backwash line when the pump is on and the multiport is set to filter. This means one of two things.
- The wagon wheel gasket needs to be replaced
- Not likely but I have seen cases of this. The multiport may be on the wrong way round.
Why does your kreepy have no pressure?
You may have had an experience with a pool company coming to your home and telling you that you need to replace your kreepy. This is usually an upselling tactic so becareful. When a kreepy has no pressure, runs for a few seconds then dies or simply does not move at all, it is almost always one of the following.
- Suction line leak from the skimmer to the front of the pool pump
- Skimmer vac lid not seated correctly
- Pumps lid may be cracked
- Pumps mechanical seal needs to be replaced
- Pump may be old and cannot produce sufficient pressure
- Kreepy may need to be replaced
- If the kreepy runs with a diaphragm check it for damage
What are the black spots everywhere in your pool?
When you notice a black like substance on your pools lining, and you brush it but it does not come off. Well, this is called black algae and once you get it you can very seldom get rid of it as its roots grow into the lining of the pool. There is however 1 solution we know works this is.
- Drain the pool and perform an acid wash
Why does your breaker or main switch trip when you turn the pump on?
This is one of those issues where many things can cause it but as a simple checklist start with:
- Swap the pumps switch with a different switch
- Check the pumps capasitor
- Check if there are no exposed wires from the pump
- Check the pumps bearing as if the bearing is stuck and the pump is humming then the breaker will trip to prevent further damage.
- Check if all wires are connected correctly ie red to live, blue to neutral rail and green to earth rail.
- Check for any wires or electrical components been in water.
Why is your pool rails or Ladder rusting?
When your stainless steel rails or step ladder into the pool start to rust, it is usually due to:
- The pH level been below 7.2 which is to high in acid
What are the dark patches appearing in your pool?
If you are sitting with a pool which has black or grey patches appearing in the pool, it is normally…
- The marbelite layer has faded away and the pool will have to be resurfaced. This only applies to marbelite pools not fiberglass.
Why is your Fiberglass pulling away from the surface?
Now when you see fiberglass pulling away from the surface of the pool. It usually starts pulling away from under the paving or coping first and then the rest of the pool will follow. This is caused from…
- Fiberglass not been tucked properly under the coping
- The pool technician used cheap fiberglass matt
- If you hear a hollow sound when you knock on the surface, this means the fiberglass did not bond / cure correctly. The solution here is to redo the pool.
How much does pool leak detection cost?
Pool leaks are an everyday thing for pool owners these days and to get a professional company out to come detect where the leak is, could cost quite a bit. But here is the things you should know before hand.
- Swimming pools are very simple to understand and if you are a person who understands the basics on a pools plumbing, then you should not have an issue as there are really not that many places a pool can actually leak from. For instance a pool has one suction line, one to two returns, a light, a weir, sand filter + plumbing and the surface of the pool. If the pool is losing water when the pump is off then it could be the lining depending on how quick the pool loses water, the weir or light. If it is only dropping when the pump is running then 99% of the time its on the plumbing or mpv seal.
- Gas leak detection is very expensive but should you or any normal pool company not find the leak then this is a very effective option.
- General leak detection usually costs between R800 to R1800 with the repair done.
What is the cost of pool pump repair vs replacement?
Your pool pump has given in should you replace or repair it?
- The answer is simple, replace it and the reason for this is when you repair a pump you seldom get a warranty with it and pumps generally only give you between 2-5 years life. On older pump such as 10 year old pumps, they may have lasted that long yes because things were built properly but to repair it and get the coil rewind would cost close to a new pump so just replace it.
Why is your pool cloudy & No chemicals work anymore?
I am sure by now most pool owners have gotten to a point where there pool is cloudy and the more chemicals they add, it doesnt make a difference and gets even worse. Well there could be many factors playing a roll but lets list the most common ones.
- Your filter sand needs to be replaced
- Your pool water may have what we call a chemical lock. This is when there has been to much chemicals added in the past and have now formed a chemical barrier which does not allow new chemicals to penetrate through the 1st few millimeters of water.
- Your pH is to high in alkaline
- Pump may not be pushing enough power to circulate the pool water or the return jets are facing the incorrect way and not circulating the water.
Why is there sand coming back into your pool?
When sand is coming back into your pool it means one thing:
- The filter fingers need to be replaced and there are normally between 8 – 12 depending on the size and make of the sand filter.
Can a crack in a pool be repaired?
Can you patch a crack in a pool? Short answer is yes! providing the following:
- Marbelite pools can be patched underwater without draining the actual pool. This greatly depends on the crack thou. It can run one of two ways and Id always insist getting a professional pool company to inspect it to see how severe it is.
- If you have a fiberglass lining you will need to drain the water and apply the patch. You can use an underwater putty but it is going to look terrible.
Which kreepy is the best?
When looking to buy a kreepy it is always advisable to get the opinions of a few pool companies, not pool shops as pool shops will obviously sell you the most expensive ones they have and not really ask you the fine details. We recommend:
- If you have trees around your pool stay away from any pool cleaner which runs on wheels, tracks or diaphragm as you are setting yourself up for disaster.
- If you have a large budget get a good robotic cleaner as these really are an investment on your pool. They map themselves out and do there thing in a short space of time. They also do not have the hassle of hoses as they are equipped with their own catch baskets.
- If you do not have a large budget then it depends on the size of the pool and lining. But generally i’d have to say gemini twinsweep (cheapest) Kreepy pro and combi or Voyager also a cheap cleaner.
Hope this helps you all with common problems with pools if you are struggling with yours.