3 Warning Signs That You Need to Schedule A Health Check
If you’ve ever purchased a home with a pool, you may have had an inspection done before moving in. But did you know that your pool should also be inspected throughout its life to ensure everything is in working order? Getting a health check will help you know that your pool is remaining safe, healthy and in proper working order. Here at Poolwerx, we recommend scheduling regular pool health checks to make sure things are running smoothly.
Many pool owners enjoy maintaining their pool themselves, and while it is a great way to stay on top of your pool care maintenance, it is also important to have a pool maintenance expert check your pool equipment regularly. A pool technician who has the proper training and accreditation will be able to thoroughly inspect your equipment using tools that you may not have, and ensure the safety and efficiency of your equipment. They may be able to pick up on smaller faults or damage before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) issue.
Think you might need a health check? Continue reading below to find out some warning signs that you need to schedule a health check today.
1. YOUR POOL WATER KEEPS GETTING DIRTY OR DISCOLORED.
Have you been noticing a buildup of dirt and debris in your pool? Is your water cloudy or discolored with green or brown water?
If you are starting to notice lots of leaves, debris, or algae in your pool, you may have an issue with your pool filter. To fix this, your filter may need to be cleaned or replaced. Cloudy water is also caused by poor filtration or too much organic matter such as leaves in your pool. If your pool water contains too much dirt and debris, the water can also turn brown.
Another potential cause of a dirty pool could be a failing pool pump. This could happen due to large debris clogging the pool pump, or simply a loose connection to the power source.
Improper water balancing is a major cause of discolored water in your pool, as well as a host of other issues. If you keep your water improperly balanced for too long, it can lead to unpleasant problems such as the corrosion of equipment, scaling on pool surfaces, and algae growth. Algae develops due to an improperly balanced pool. If algae is building up in your pool, the water will tun green.
If these issues of dirt, debris and/or algae persist or keep coming back after cleaning and shocking your pool, it’s probably time to get a professional involved to provide expert advice on how to keep your pool ecosystem in optimal shape.
2. YOUR POOL WATER LEVEL IS CONSISTENTLY LOW EVEN AFTER ADDING WATER.
Do you keep adding and adding water to your pool with seemingly no change in your water level? While your pool will lose ¼ – ½ inches of water per day due to evaporation during the summer, there are other issues that can contribute to a low water level in the pool. Aside from summer heat, it can also be caused by normal issues such as people splashing and diving into your pool, backwashing, and wind.
These normal issues aside, if the water level is consistently low despite adding more water back regularly, you could have a leak in your pool— an issue that could be both costly and hazardous to your backyard.
Ideally, you want to always keep your pool water levels just shy of the middle of your pool’s skimmer. If your pool water levels are too low, it can also cause your pump to run dry, and eventually overheat and break down. If your pump does not have enough water in it, it can run dry. If the water is too low to get into your pool’s skimmer, all of the debris that falls into your pool will stay in your pool. Depending on the issue, you could have a leak in your equipment such as your pump, skimmer or filter, or in your plumbing or pool lining.
Seals in the plumbing can deteriorate, pools may shift over time, or the ground it’s dug into settles. Pools often leak through plumbing fittings, accessories like light fixtures, and even through the shell or liner. Leaks can get worse over time, so if you suspect a potential leak, you should have a professional take a look as soon as possible. Leaks can cause costly damage to your pool’s lining, or even turn into a dangerous sinkhole.
3. YOUR WATER IS NOT CIRCULATING PROPERLY.
Have you noticed that your water barely moves despite having the pump running? First, it could be an issue where your filter is clogged and needs to be cleaned or replaced. If your pool filter’s pressure is higher than normal, this usually indicates a dirty pool filter.
If your filter pressure has increased to a higher than normal reading, there may be internal filter problems, or filter valve problems. If your filter pressure is very high, there could be large debris caught in the filter that is really clogging it up. Very high filter pressure can be dangerous. Your filter can even explode! Be careful if you are planning to examine your filter on your own, and if you see the pressure spike too high, shut off the filter immediately.
If you notice that your pool isn’t circulating properly but your pool filter is clear, then it could also mean that there’s a leak in your pool pump’s air line, or your pump could have an electrical issue. Check to make sure everything is connected, determine whether or not there’s a blown fuse or if you might need to turn a circuit breaker back on.
When your pool has a pressure issue, we recommend calling a professional, as handling the equipment can be dangerous. Plus, it’s important to make sure these issues are resolved properly.
Request a Health Check Today!
