Common Swimming Pool Equipment Repairs

If your swimming pool equipment isn't working properly, or not working at all, your entire swimming pool will start to suffer. Neglecting necessary swimming pool equipment repairs can cause interconnected systems to struggle, potentially rendering your pool unusable.

Tools and Materials for a Pool Owner to Have On Hand

It's good to have a tool kit available for minor pool repairs and general maintenance. A patch kit for the type of pool you have, whether you have vinyl, plaster or fiberglass, is useful for pool repairs, but also for pool safety covers and winter covers. Having other general household tools available are handy if you have any little repairs to make.

A submersible pump can help to dry out a solid pool cover or your pool, and can tide you over temporarily if your pool pump breaks down until it is replaced or fixed.

Pool repair putty or epoxy is useful in an emergency to seal cracks in tile, plastic, and other surfaces, especially since it cures underwater. It can help with leaking equipment and lights as well as with materials or your pool liner. Pool caulking for an expansion joint, as part of ongoing maintenance, helps prevent more costly repairs, too. It can also be used for sealing off pool equipment leaks inside the pool.

Pool plugs can be useful for blocking off pool lines to isolate where a problem may be or when making a repair. Being able to find and patch a pool leak faster, even with a temporary patch until a professional technician can look at it, is better for your pool.

You can also get a mini bucket test to check whether water levels that are dropping are from a leak or just evaporation. Next, a dye test helps identify its location.

Have spare seals, O-rings, and gaskets for your specific pool equipment models ready to replace any that are deteriorating and causing your pool equipment to start leaking. You can even find kits that have what you need for your pool filters, heaters, pumps, cleaners and other pool equipment repairs.

Most Common Issues Requiring Repair or Replacement

While you may be able to handle certain maintenance and minor repair tasks, a professional servicing company may be needed to fix other common pool equipment problems. If in doubt, it's worth contacting a professional. The cost of the pool equipment repairs are still likely to be less than the cost of total replacement if the equipment is not fixed properly.

Pool Pump

Pool pumps are critical pool equipment, keeping the water clean and circulated. They usually last about five to ten years, depending on care and use.

Some parts usually need to be replaced every couple of years, including the impeller, though. Also, regular maintenance on other parts, including clearing debris out of the strainer basket, is needed. While doing this, the basket’s gasket needs to be checked for deterioration and cracks. If it is damaged, it needs to be replaced, or the lid won't close properly and your pump won't work.

Having a regular inspection by a professional to look for leaks and make any repairs or replacement of key parts helps a pool pump last longer, as issues are spotted earlier.

Pool Filter

Pool filters are also very important. This type of pool equipment is critical for the filtration process, removing dirt and bacteria from the pool water. These last about one or two years. A filter cartridge will need replacing more often, especially if there is a lot of sunscreen and other contaminants in the pool.

There are three common filters: cartridge, diatomaceous earth, and sand filters. All types need regular cleaning. The amount of use your pool gets and the type of filter you use affects how often the filter needs to be cleaned. Filter cleaning frequency needs will range from monthly to four times per year. Cleaning your filter more often than really needed won't actually help. The filtration process works better with a filter that is slightly dirty.

The pressure gauge and flow meter needs to be inspected regularly, to identify any difference in flow, which starts to increase with a dirty filter. Filters need cleaning with a flow difference of 10 to 15 pounds PSI.

Small cracks in cartridge and sand filters can be fixed with caulking or sealant, but larger ones will require replacement of the filter.

Pool Heater

There are a wide variety of pool heater types, each with their own common problems. However, some common causes of them not working are a dirty filter, temperatures being too cold or the temperature setting being too low, an issue with the safety switch, wiring problems, insufficient ventilation, or damaged valves. It is generally recommended to have a technician check out your pool heater if the issue is not something simple like a temperature change.

Salt Cell

For salt water pools, the salt cells need maintenance and replacement of certain parts to help them keep the water clean. They usually last about five years but electrodes and other parts need to be replaced before that time.

Simplify your pool care with People for Pools at 647-710-8926, a pool industry leader, specializing in swimming pool equipment repair in Toronto. Visit us at 1585 Britannia Rd E, Unit B3 Mississauga, ON L4W 2M4, and ensure a hassle-free summer for your pool.