Pool Troubleshooting (Pump Problems and More)

Ugh! Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I can focus on what this post is about: tips for troubleshooting swimming pools.

Taking care of your swimming pool is important and can become a major pain if you neglect regular pool maintenance.

Learning to Troubleshoot Pool Problems

It can take time for a DIY to learn the tricks and tips of the pool service trade because too many things are involved in keeping a swimming pool properly serviced.

After 5 years, I’m still learning and making mistakes that cost me money and time. That said, I aim not to repeat these mistakes and hopefully help you.

Let’s Get Troubleshooting!

Most of the time, everything is going along just fine with my swimming pool maintenance, and then one day – BANG – something happens that sets me back.

Why didn’t I see it coming? Once it happens, it’s easy to see the results, but figuring out what caused it isn’t always so obvious.

I’ve found most swimming pool problems relate to three things:

1. The pool pump
2. The pool filtering system
3. The pool chemicals

Learning how to troubleshoot these common swimming pool problems will help you save some money and keep your pool safe.

Swimming Pool Pump Problems

This is a no-brainer, but the pool water will be affected if the pump isn’t working. Sometimes, it’s not so easy to measure the pool water flow.

• Are the snakes moving?
• Is the pop-up popping up and spraying water?
• Is the water moving around like normal?
• Does the pump sound normal?

A subtle change in how your swimming pool looks or sounds could be problem are brewing…

Ignoring the symptoms could cost you, so take the time to troubleshoot when you suspect your swimming pool has a problem. It could be something easy to fix if you act fast.

Most problems are the buildup of dirt, leaves, or other debris in the filter cartridge. A little filter maintenance will have the pump working normally again.

Pool Pump Electrical Problems

A pump problem I ran into when I first moved into my home was the breaker kept tripping. I had to get an electrician to run new wires to the breaker box because the original wires had started shorting because they were run underground when the pool was installed in the ’70s.

If you find that the pump isn’t working, check the breaker. You may need to replace the fuse or flip the switch, and you are back in business, or, like in my case, you may need new wiring.

Most pool pumps run on 220-volt systems, so be extremely careful. If you can’t restart the pump with a breaker reset, you may have bigger problems, such as a bad pump or wiring.

Pool Filter Problems

Short and simple! Clogged pool filters will cause leaks or pump issues and might even cause a breaker to trip.

When troubleshooting swimming pool problems, always check your filters to see if they are clogged or damaged and need to be replaced.

If you experience pool filter problems often, it may be time for a fitter assembly upgrade.

Pool Chemical Problems

Chlorine and Ph problems aren’t too difficult to solve, yet pool chemistry sometimes frustrates me.

Weekly checks will help prevent big chlorine or Ph problems, but it takes time to get out of the pool water test kit and do the pool test, which is why it gets put off. After all, the water is clear and blue!

Add chemicals now and only add the required amount when you need chemicals. Don’t guess or add anything without correctly measuring, or you will regret it.

Imagine draining 22,000 gallons of pool water because you’ve added too much acid!

Expired Chemicals

Some pool owners skimp on swimming pool chemicals and then pay for them later. Always buy fresh chemicals with expiration dates that have not expired. Your pool is an investment, so take care of it with quality chemicals.

Conclusion

This post covers the three common problems most pool owners will run into:

• Pump issues
• Filter problems
• Chemical problems

If you still can’t find the solution to your swimming pool problem after reading this post, it may be time to call an expert before the problem worsens and costs more.

The longer a problem goes on, the greater the risk of more damage and the higher the repair bills will go…

Bonus Advice for when you need to Contact a Pool Service Expert!

Swimming pool repairs are expensive!

If you can’t solve the problem yourself, you will save time and money by pointing them in the right direction. Be specific with your problem when speaking to the pool service tech. Time is money; at $45 every 15 minutes, it can add up quickly.

Your turn to offer tips for Troubleshooting Swimming Pool Problems, please comment!

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