Swimming pool repairs that shouldn't be delayed

While there are pool repairs that can be put off until a later date, there are actually some pool repairs that need to be addressed as soon as they show signs. Why is that? Well, simply because delaying repairs can lead to even bigger problems down the line!

One of the biggest mistakes that any pool owner can make is to put off repairs when a pool leak is detected. Many will say, “oh that’s just water” but it’s actually more than that! Aside from the obvious water and chemical loss, depending on the location of the leak, it can cause extensive damage to your pool!

• Wall and Surface leaks from cracks - If your pool is losing water due to surface cracks then you really should go and consult a pool professional and don’t put it off any minute longer! Water seeping through cracks on your pool surfaces will have a tendency to erode and widen the crack as time goes by. Not only that, but algae and other baddies can take refuge in these cracks causing an even bigger problem!
• Visible Plumbing Leaks - If you can see the leak, then you can definitely fix it with no problem! Don’t put off repairing these leaks as they’re really quick fixes! Some people put this off because, well, what’s a few drops here and there right? Well, these drops can turn into puddles, which can cause moisture accumulation and everything that comes with moisture like algae, moss, mold and more!
• Pool equipment leaks - Every piece of equipment in your pool filtration system is designed to be air-tight. Any leak will mean that their efficiency will be greatly reduced and the rest of your system may become over-stressed, leading to more problems down the line!

Now, for leaks that you just can’t seem to find, we have a post here which can help you determine if it’s really a pool leak or if it’s just evaporation.

This one is pretty obvious. We got our pool heaters for the purpose of swimming in warm water! If your heat pump or heater isn’t warming up your water then getting it repaired is the way to go. But before calling in for warranty, here are things that you can check before calling in the cavalry.

• Is the temperature control set right? Sometimes a power failure can cause digital temperature controls to reset to a low number and it won’t raise the temperature of your pool.
• Are the valves open? Yes, we’ve done this before as well. We kept trying to figure out why our heat pump wasn’t kicking on and the fix was simple, the valves leading to the unit were shut off! No water = no heating!
• Are your filters clean? Many modern units with flow detectors won’t turn on if there’s a reduction in water pressure. If your filters are dirty then this may cause reduced water flow to your heater!

If none of those things are working then maybe it’s time to call in the professionals. Sure, I guess you put off heater repairs, but getting it done sooner rather than later is a great idea so that when we absolutely need the heater, it will be available!

Problematic filters can come in many forms. It could be the elements no longer filtering the pool water properly, or there could be leaks in your pool filters, or a number of other pool filter issues. Symptoms that your pool filter may repairs or replacing:

• Leaks coming from the filter unit itself - this can mean a couple of things from a simple broken o-ring to structural failure on the unit itself. If it’s a broken o ring, then you’ve just lucked out! Replace the o-ring and carry on! But if there are cracks on the unit itself, a repair isn’t advisable since pool filters operate under pressure. A bad repair job can lead to a catastrophic failure, and by catastrophic failure, we mean explode! Better safe than sorry! If you find a crack on your pool filter unit, just replace it.
• Multiport leaks - Now if the leak is coming from the multiport (you can skip this part if you have a cartridge filter) then you’re in luck. We have a comprehensive troubleshooting and repair guide for multiport valves here.
• Unusual pressure from the pressure gauge - A good cleaning of your filter elements (cartridge or sand) should bring the pressure gauge reading back down to normal. If that doesn’t work then try to recall the last time you changed your filter elements. If it’s more than 3 years for your cartridge filter or more than 5 years for your sand filter then maybe it’s time to replace the filter elements. But if you recently changed filter elements, then the problem may be as simple as a faulty pressure gauge so don’t forget to check that as well!

SEE ALSO: Finding, Fixing and Preventing Spa Leaks, the only guide you’ll need

As a rule of thumb, once your pump starts making strange noises or if it doesn’t “feel” right then you should immediately have it looked uat or replaced. Why? Well, your pool pump is literally the heart of your swimming pool. I mean, even without a filter, your pool can last for quite a while before turning green as long as you keep the water balanced properly, allowing you to get a filter replacement in before your water turns green!

A broken pool pump on the other hand will leave you with stagnant water and that can lead to a green pool in no time at all if you don’t get a replacement or repair soon!

We have a number of pool pump repair guides which you can check out below:

• How to replace pool pump bearings
• Why do my pool pump capacitors keep failing?
• Our all-in-one pool pump troubleshooting guide
• Broken pool pump: Replace or repair?
• What are the parts of a pool pump?

Bonus: Waiting for your repairs to be done or for a replacement to come in? Here’s our guide on how to maintain your pool when your pool pump has failed. It’s not an end-all solution, but it will buy you a few days of pool clarity while waiting for a pump fix!

You might also what to check this: Getting your Pool Pump Ready for Summer

While a burned out light may seem just like an inconvenience, it is worth noting that if your pool light dies suddenly, it will be a good idea to at least give the light receptacle a good check, even if you don’t plan on replacing the light with a LED light soon. Why is this? Well, water and electricity don’t mix! If the pool light failure was caused by a leak, then sealing up the light receptacle or cutting off the power supply to the light port is a good “repair” in itself.

If the light has naturally died then you have nothing to worry about and you can just wait until you have the budget to replace the light bulbs at your own leisure.

P.S. You can avoid this problem for the long term by getting a set of energy-efficient LED pool lights for your pool! They’re rated to last up to 12 years and even if they only last for half that time, you’re still getting an amazing value when compared to traditional fluorescent or halogen bulbs!

Now there are many other issues that you may face with your pool, but those that were listed above can be considered as “critical” and if you come across them, get them addressed asap!