Own a swimming pool, whether commercial or residential, comes with its fair share of maintenance issues. As a pool age, problems can develop which negative impact water quality, and safety if left unchecked. Thankfully, being proactive about routine service and repairs from reputable company like pool service McKinney can help avoid major headaches down the road.
In this blog post, we’ll overview some of the most common pool problems homeowners and businesses encounter, as well as tips to resolve them. Read on to learn what to watch out for so you can catch problems early and make informed decisions about commercial pool repair.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy or hazy pool water is usually caused by too many germs, like bacteria and algae, small particles that can’t be filtered out, high pH levels, uneven hardness levels, or even too many people swimming in the pool at once. Some cloudiness is normal, especially after a lot of use, but problems that don’t go away mean there is a problem with the water chemistry or filter that needs to be fixed.
To start, shock the water with bleach to get rid of any germs. Next, check your filtering system. If the filters are clogged with dirt or dust, clean them out. You can also clean the pool walls and floor by hand to get rid of dirt and grime, and scrub the surfaces to stop biofilm from forming. To get clarity back on track, you may also need to check the water level and make changes to the chemicals.
Green Water
Seeing a bright green pool is never a welcome sight. The cause? Algae overgrowth, is often brought on by neglecting chemical treatments, insufficient filtration runtimes, or trace nutrient contamination. Once algae takes hold it spreads quickly, feeding off sunlight and nutrients in the water to spawn more algae.
Green pool water calls for aggressive algaecide shock combined with heavy dosge of chlorine or bromine. Thoroughly scrubbing walls and floors also help mechanically remove algae. To get ahead of furthergrowth, set your pool pump to run longer each day, manually remove leaves/debris frequently, and stick to a routine chemical regimen. Enlisting commercial pool repair pros to tackle serious algae issues can save a lot of headaches.
Stained Surfaces
Pool surfaces can become stained by long-term imbalanced water chemistry, metals in source water, and swimmers introduce contaminants. You may see brown, yellow, green, or black spots appear on vinyl liners, plaster, or concrete surfaces over time. Thankfully with the right stain removal products and procedures, you can dramatically improve the look of stained pools.For light stains, try using a pumice stone to gently scrub affected areas and see if they lighten up. To treat more stubborn staining without damaging surfaces, look for commercial stain removal sprays and liquids formulated for pool use. Be sure to confirm choices that are safe for your pool finish. Combining chemical cleaners with polishing compounds and a buffing pad often yields the best stain removal and restoration results. For the most dramatic transformations though, resurfacing may ultimately be needed.
Low Water Level
Coming out one morning to find your pool’s water level drastically lower than normal is alarming. Where did all the water go? Evaporation can be blamed for some loss over hot summer months, but major decreases usually indicate an unseen leak. Catching leaks early and repairing cracks saves thousands of gallons of wasted water in the long run.Start by visually inspecting the outer shell for obvious cracks, noting any damage spots. Also, check for plumbing leaks near pumps and pipes. Another good indicator is if the auto-fill keeps running frequently to replace lost water. To pinpoint the leak location more precisely, specialized leak detection services are available that use acoustic listening devices or pressure testing. Once identified, cracked pool shells can then be repaired by commercial pool experts.
Noisy Pump
Hearing abnormal noises like squeaking, grinding, or humming coming from your pool pump means something is awry mechanically. Often debris gets lodged in the impeller or bearings get worn out over years of use, causing unwelcomed sound effects. Left unfixed, deteriorating pumps ultimately burn out leaving you without adequate water circulation.First try clearing out any obstructions like pebbles, sticks, or leaves clogging the impeller chamber which may quiet things down. Just be sure to turn off the power at the breaker before dismantling any pump parts. If that doesn’t do the trick, it likely means to be worn out motor bearings or other internal failures needing professional service. A technician can best determine if bearing replacement, impeller repair or total pump replacement is the most cost-effective solution.
Pool Electrical Issues
Any electrical problems happening around pools should be deemed emergencies to address immediately. Malfunctioning equipment like lights, heaters, and pumps can potentially expose swimmers to dangerous electric shock drowning (ESD) accidents. GFCI and bonding protection systems in place drastically reduce such risks, but only if maintained properly.If you experience any electrical issues like power flickering, burning smells, sparks, or equipment throwing breakers contact a certified electrician right away. They’ll thoroughly inspect connections and grounding provisions to catch damage before it turns tragic. Upgrading older pools to meet modern safety codes may be recommended. Only contract qualified commercial pool repair technicians when needing complex electrical repairs.As you can see, catching pool problems early and understanding what causes them makes issues much easier to correct. But if you ever feel unsure how to remedy persistent water, surface, or equipment issues, don’t hesitate to call in pool pros. Companies like pool service McKinney specialize in all kinds of repair and maintenance needs to keep pools healthy, safe, and always ready to enjoy.
