Pool Problems?

A beautiful pool or spa is a great way to make the most of your yard while adding value to your property. A well maintained pool or spa always adds to the aesthetic appeal of your property and can be quite enjoyable for yourself, your loved ones as well as any guests you invite over. There are some cases where a pool and spa can become troublesome however, especially if they fall into disrepair. One major issue facing pool and spa owners is the possibility of water leakage. If a leak forms at any time and it is not found and repaired quickly, it can lead to a lot of other potentially expensive and dangerous problems in the future. At Pool Problems? we specialize in providing fast and reliable pool and spa leak detection and repairs. The trick is determining whether or not your pool or spa is in fact leaking. There are some tell-tale signs common to all pools and spas that can indicate a leak has formed somewhere in or around the pool. To help you determine whether or not your p...

Although the basic technology behind pool filters, pumps, heaters and other pool equipment has remained relatively the same for a number of decades, certain technological enhancements for pool equipment are revolutionizing the way pool owners manage and control their pool systems. One of the most remarkable innovations to come along in the last few years is the introduction of smartphone and iPhone apps for remote control of the pool equipment. Unlike a lot of the other superfluous apps to come along in the last few years, controlling your pool equipment using a smartphone has become extremely useful. Remote control systems for pool equipment are not exactly a brand new idea. For years there have been multiple examples of remote controls made for pool pumps, heaters, and filters alike. While these were great for some pool systems, the fact that each remote control was only designed to be used in close proximity to the pool equipment made these remote control systems a little bi...

The integrity of your pool deck is extremely important to the overall well being of your pool. There are many materials that can be used to make a quality pool deck, but one of the most common materials found around backyard pools is concrete. There are many benefits that come with using concrete to build your pool deck. It is highly resistant to sun damage and will remain in place for a number of years. Like any building material, concrete won't last forever. Eventually, cracks will form and the overall integrity of the concrete surface will wear down. This deterioration is often caused by salt and chemicals in your pool water that splash on the pool deck. While simply sealing cracks and resurfacing with more concrete is an option when your pool deck needs repairs, it is not the best option. Benefits of Kool Decks There are plenty of options when it comes to resurfacing and sealing a concrete pool deck. One of the best happens to be Kool Decks. This tried and tested produ...

Spas are great for relaxation and fun no matter what time of year it is. Sitting in a hot tub can be the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day, or relax in comfort with friends and loved ones. The last thing anyone wants to encounter is a spa with faulty jets. Without properly functioning jets however, spas can quickly start to lose their appeal. Unfortunately, spa jets can malfunction from time to time, and there are a number of reasons why this happens. In some cases, you may require a professional to complete your spa jet repairs, but there are some instances where you can solve the problem yourself. Clogged Jets If you haven't drained your spa in a while, you may not have had a chance to give your spa jets a good cleaning. Over time, things like debris and calcium buildups can prevent your spa jets from functioning properly. If you notice a slight drop in the pressure coming from your spa jets, check to make sure the openings are completely clear. If not, you ma...

With so much concern over proper pool water circulation and filtration, it can be easy to forget that your pool's plumbing is only part of what makes up your entire pool system. There are plenty of components and pieces of pool equipment that rely on a properly functioning electrical system to work correctly. Everything from your pool lights to the pump and in some cases your pool heater rely on electrical connections. If there is a problem with the electrical system, it will usually require an expert to handle any pool electrical repairs in a safe and reliable manner. Below you'll find a few examples of issues that can be caused by faulty electrical connections. You should never attempt to fix these problems on your own, since working with electricity around water can be extremely hazardous. Underwater Light Bulbs Pool lights often last around 5 years, and usually just need a replacement bulb if they happen to go out. Unfortunately, sometimes chemicals in pool water ...

Like a household plumbing system, sometimes your pool's plumbing may run into an issue that causes it to work improperly, or not at all. Your pool relies on proper water circulation to keep the pool clean and at a proper temperature. If anything goes wrong with this water circulation, you may notice the water quality of your pool starts to decline. Fortunately, if you have an issue with your pool plumbing that needs to be fixed, the experts at Pool Problems? are more than ready to help. There are a few things you can look for to see if there is a problem with your pool's plumbing. Pressure Gauge Every pool filter comes equipped with some type of water pressure gauge. If you don't have a gauge located on top of your pool's filter, you may want to invest in one. They are a great indicator of the status of your pool water circulation. For the most part, a pool's ideal water pressure will be somewhere around 20 psi. If you notice a drop or a rise in the pressu...

Even in a mostly warm climate, a pool heater makes a great addition to any pool system. After a significant rainfall, or in cooler evening temperatures, a reliable pool heater can keep the water in your swimming pool at a comfortable temperature. This not only makes swimming more enjoyable, it can extend your pool usage later into the year. A good pool heater will help you get the most out of your swimming pool each season. The question is which type of heater will be best suited for your needs. Below you'll find a brief description of the main two types of pool heaters, along with the pros and cons of each one. Electric Heat Pump Heater Most people are familiar with heat pumps as climate control devices for a house. A heat pump works by taking in outside air and converting it to warm or cool air using a refrigeration cycle. In the case of an electric pool heater, warm air is extracted from the outside and the heat from the air is transferred to the pool water that cycles...

For a pool to remain clean with crystal clear water at all times, it is vitally important to have a properly functioning pool skimmer. When it comes to water circulation and filtration, it all starts with the pool skimmer. As your pool pump runs, it generates a suction at the pool skimmer. The skimmer is usually located on the side of the pool relatively close to the are where your pump and pool filter is housed. The pool skimmer intakes water and filters out larger debris in a skimmer basket. The water continues to move through your pool plumbing and into the filter before it is pumped back into the pool. Since an adequate amount of suction is required to properly circulate the pool water, it is important to make sure your skimmer basket is regularly cleaned and emptied. In some cases, you may find that even though your skimmer basket is clear of debris, the pool skimmer suction pressure is insufficient. If water is not being pumped through your pool system at a proper rate, y...

One of the biggest issues you can have with your pool has to do with improper drainage around your pool deck. When water accumulates on the pool deck, problems can quickly start to follow if it is allowed to pool and seep into the cracks and spaces of your deck. Issues like pool deck stains, deterioration and even leaky basements and underneath your pool deck are all connected to pool deck drainage. The best way to prevent these problems from turning into major issues, or from occurring in the first place is to arrange for pool deck drainage installation. A lot more goes into having a pool deck drain installed than simply dropping a new drain down beside your pool. It is important to be aware of the kind of planning that goes into pool deck drain installation, so you can prepare your yard or pool area for some potentially major changes. A pool deck drain is typically installed in three distinct ways. Strip Drains You can install a strip drain that is basically a narrow...

A pool and spa require a lot of working pieces to function properly. Making alterations or modifications to any piece of pool equipment can sometimes help your pool run more efficiently. For the most part however, a pool or spa will work best if each component is installed properly, and left to do its job. There are some instances where minor alterations to pool equipment will help repair an issue like a leak or reduce energy consumption. Installing a pool timer clock or adding a salt water filter can improve things like filtration efficiency, but these are specific additions that are designed to enhance your pool or spa's day to day functions. One common alteration many pool technicians like the experts at Pool Problems? come across is a capped main pool or spa drain. Your main drain is usually located at the center of your pool or in the middle of the deep end. Typically the main drain is found at the lowest point of a swimming pool. These drains actually work as part of ...

Most pool owners are fairly familiar with the major components of their swimming pool. Things like pool pumps and motors, pool heaters, filters and salt water systems are common to all pools and are vital to the overall pool system. Another component common to all swimming pools and spas that may not be as well known is something called the coping. Coping essentially describes the material that makes up the surrounding edge of your pool deck. It can be made from a number of different materials such as stone, concrete or brick to name a few. Whatever your coping happens to be made from, it is designed to protect the top of your pool wall, keeping your entire pool structure intact. Even the most well build pools and spas can leak and deteriorate before their time if the coping seal is cracked or improperly applied. After a while, you may notice some cracks in your concrete coping, or some loose bricks or stones around the edge of your pool. Issues with your pool and spa coping ar...

A bad stain on the pebble, white plaster, or tile surface of your pool can quickly turn your backyard paradise into an unsightly mess. There are a number of different causes for pool stains, and each one can leave a unique type of stain. In many cases, regular vacuuming and basic pool cleaning can help you avoid most major pool stains. However, there are some stains that require some more extensive attention. In those situations, it is best to leave the stain removal from your pebble, white plaster and tile pool surfaces to a team of skilled professionals. At Pool Problems? we can quickly identify certain stains and provide lasting solutions such as organic stain removal, pool and spa acid and chemical washes and chlorine rinses to help tackle some of the following stains on your pool surfaces. Organic Debris Leaves, berries and even acorns can cause stains on most pool surfaces, especially if they are left to settle on a pool surface. At Pool Problems? we offer a top quality...

There are few design accents for pools and spas that stand out as much as new pool and spa lights. With just a few new lights, you can quickly transform the appearance of your pool and your entire outdoor space. At Pool Problems? we offer quality pool and spa light installation services that will truly enhance your swimming and spa experience. There has never been a time to arrange for new pool and spa lighting installation. This is largely due to the fact that new lighting technologies have helped make pool lighting safer, longer lasting, and more attractive than ever. New pool and spa lighting now feature LED technology that gives pool and spa owners more lighting options. LED bulbs are compact and extremely versatile, meaning they can be installed in a number of different locations in and around your pool and spa. You can use your new LED lights to highlight certain features like your pool steps, spa jets and even water features. In addition to the many ways you can e...

One of the most important choices you'll make when it comes to the design and installation of your swimming pool is what material to use for your pool's interior surface. There are many factors to consider when choosing between a white plaster or pebble finish, some of which you may not already be aware of. To help you get started, you'll find a brief description of each type of pool interior surface, along with some general pros and cons. No matter which type of surface you select for your pool, the experts at Pool Problems? are ready to help with any of your white plaster or pebble remodeling or installation needs. Pebble A pebble pool finish is made by laying smooth pebbles on the interior of the pool that are bound together by an aggregate. With this type of finish, your pool interior will have a more natural look that resembles a stone riverbed. When it comes to overall appearance, there are few pool finishes that look as good as a pebble interior. In additi...

Sometimes keeping a pool clean and sparkling takes a bit more than a simple vacuuming. Over time, things like algae stains, calcium deposits and even rust stains can build up on the surfaces of your pool. If these stains aren't immediately cleaned, they can spread causing your pool surfaces to appear blotchy and discolored, while your pool water will lose clarity and that sparkling clean look. At this point, you should consider hiring a pool professional to perform a chemical wash on your dirty pool and/or spa. When it comes to pool & spa chemical washes, you have two main options to choose from that will be effective at handling certain stains on certain surfaces. Below you'll find a brief description of each type of pool & spa chemical wash that will help you determine which one will be ideal for your pool cleaning needs. Chlorine Wash A pool & spa chlorine wash is highly effective when it comes to the complete removal of one particular type of stain. To...

Keeping your pool at a moderate temperature throughout the year can be an expensive proposition, especially if you have a gas or heat pump pool heater. Fortunately, there is a great alternative heating method that can work for virtually any pool, and will help save energy and money in a short period of time. By installing a solar heating system for your pool, you can quickly take advantage of one of the most cost-effective uses of solar energy. How Does it Work? A complete pool solar system works in a way that is very similar to more traditional gas or heat pump powered pool heaters. Instead of generating power from a natural gas or electrical source however, solar collectors attract energy from the sun and use it to heat the water as it passes through other pool equipment such as the filter and pool pump. Typically, the solar collectors are installed directly on the roof of a house, or in an open area on the property near the pool, where they can attract the most possible sun...

Between the your pool heater, lights and the pump itself, it takes a lot of power to keep things running smoothly with your pool. That kind of power consumption can quickly start to add up on your energy bills, while the carbon footprint of your household continues to grow. To lower the amount of energy you use to run your pool, you may consider having a pool time clock installed on your pool equipment. There are many types of pool time clocks available on the market, but in the most basic sense, each one functions in a similar manner. The time clock controls when the pool pump or other components like the pool heater or additional filtration systems are engaged. This added control will go a long way to reducing the power consumption of your pool systems, while helping to preserve the longevity of your pool equipment. Streamlined Pool System Control A pool time clock makes it easy for pool owners to maintain complete control of their pool system, with little complication. Wit...

When it comes to keeping your pool water clean and temperate, everything starts with the pool pump. Among all components including your pool heater and your pool filter, the pool pump is by far the most important, since none of the other pool equipment will work without water circulation. Because of its importance, you should always be on the lookout for any possible issues at may be caused by clogs, leaks or just normal wear and tear. Below you'll find some brief descriptions of common pool pump issues along with helpful tips about how you can deal with each issue. Pool Pump is Sucking Air For any pool pump to properly function, it must be able to pump water through a completely sealed system of pipes, intakes and discharges. If the pool pump starts to suck air into the system, it will not run efficiently because the pump will be unable to prime. If you notice air pockets beneath the transparent pump lid, the first thing you should do is turn off the pump and check t...

If you find that your pool or spa needs to be topped up with water on a fairly regular basis, this may be a sign of a possible leak. There are a few different areas where a leak can occur in a pool or spa, all of which require immediate attention. In some cases, a drop in the water level of your pool or spa isn't always caused by a leak. The sun's heat can evaporate water at an accelerated rate during the hottest times of the summer. You can also cause a minor drop in the water level by back-washing your filter, which can pump a significant amount of water out of the pool at one time. A water level drop can also be caused by simple splashing. To determine whether or not there is actually a leak in your pool or spa, it is important to know where to look for a leak. Pool & Spa Equipment One area that may have sprung a leak is the filtration equipment connected to your pool or spa. Things like skimmers, drains and water supply lines are sometimes prone to leakage, es...