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Trouble Shooting Your Pool

bulletAutomatic Pool Cover
bulletChlorinator
bulletFilter Problems
bulletHeater Problems
bulletLiner Problems
bulletPool Lights
bulletPool Water Leak
bulletPool Water Replacement
bulletPump Priming
bulletPump Problems

Automatic Pool Covers

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Cover Won't Move No Power to Unit Check Circuit Breaker or Secondary Power Switch
No Sound Motor Bad Call Service 888-766-5832
Water in Motor Let Dry
Motor Makes Loud Noise Clutch Out of Adjustment Call Service 888-766-5832
Shaft Pins-No Movement Broken Sheerpin Call Service 888-766-5832
Too Much Water on Cover Pump Water Off or Check End Casting for Stripped Out Screws
Cover is Out of Track Call Service 888-766-5832
Cover Opens Unevenly Ropes are Uneven or Broken Call Service 888-766-5832
Cover Opens/ Closes Jerky Debris in Box or Tracks Use a Shop Vac and Spray Out Track
Cover Pump Not Working No Power to Pump Check Circuit Breaker
Air Tube Clogged Clean Tube
Float Stuck Check Pump Float
Cover Torn at Stitching High Chlorine Levels are Eating the Material Remove and Repair Seams. Call Service at 888-766-5832
Cove Has a Hole Punctured by __________? Call Service at 888-766-5832
Patch with a Vinyl Repair Kit
Cover is Worn & Shows Mesh Chemicals Eating Material Replace Material
Wearing on Concrete Edge/ Step

Chlorinator                                                                                         [Return]

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Low or No Chlorine Heavy Use-Warm Water Shock pool weekly during heavy use times
Bacteria Trying to Form
Flow Control Set to Low Turn Dial to Higher Setting
Not Enough Solid Chlorine Add 4 Sticks to Each Skimmer
Clogged Chlorinator Call Service 888-766-5832
Too High Chlorine Too Many Sticks in Chlorinator Turn Dial to Lower Setting or Reduce Sticks
Automatic Cover Not Allowing Oxidation Open Auto-Cover More Often or Leave Cover Open for Longer Periods of Time
Lid Blows Off Too Much Back Pressure Call Service 888-766-5832
High Pressure on Filter Bypass Chlorinator

Filter Problems                                                                                [Return]

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
High Pressure on Gauge Bad Gauge Check Gauge by Shutting off the Pump. If Pressure Does Not Drop, Replace Gauge.
Filter Needs Cleaned Sand-Change Sand or Chemically Clean
  Cartridge-Remove, Chemically Soak, & Spray Filters
  Call Service for a Sand Change or to Professionally Clean Your Cartridges.
Blocked Return Line Call Service 888-766-5832
Continuous High Pressure Paramount Gears Stuck Call Service 888-766-5832
Low Pressure on Gauge Bad Gauge Replace Gauge
Sand in Pool Combined w/ Low Pressure Broken Laterals Call Service 888-766-5832
Backwash or Waste Line Has a Leak Multiport or Jandy Valve is Bad Call Service 888-766-5832
Cloudy Water Most Likely Chemical Imbalance Visit our retail store location for a Free water analysis.
Dirty Filter Media Clean or Replace. Call Service 88-766-5832.
Water Leaking from Bottom of Filter Pinhole in Filter Call Service 888-766-5832
No Circulation Brass Valves Not Open Replace. Call Service 888-766-5832
Multiport or Jandy Valve in Wrong Position Check settings on both valves.

Heater Problems                                                                         [Return]

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
PRS Low Flow Check Filters. Clean if Necessary
Clean Skimmer & Pump Baskest
Check Pool Water Level
PLT Pilot System Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
IGN Ign. Control Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
SNS Temp. Sensor Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
REM Fireman's Switch Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
HL-1 High Limit Switch Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
HL-2 T-Stat Bypass Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
BRD PC Board Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
ROL Fusible Link Failure Call Service 888-766-5832
EOL Mode Buttom Stuck Call Service 888-766-5832
FFF Pilot Wiring Bad Call Service 888-766-5832
Water Coming from Bottom of Heater Most Likely Bad Heat Exchanger Call Service 888-766-5832
No Display Bad Transformer Call Service 888-766-5832
No Electric to Heater Call Service 888-766-5832
Slow to Heat Up Normal Temp. Rise =1◦ an 1 hr.
Heater Cycles Off & On Low Water Level Raise Pool Water Level
Wind Causing Down Draft Call Service 888-766-5832
Set Point Temp. Too Low Raise Temp.
Black Smoke Low Gas Pressure Call Service 888-766-5832
Low Propane Call Propane Supply
Not Enough Air Flow to Heater Clean Debris  or Mulch from Base of Heater
Melted Pipes Coming Out of Heater Heater Was Not Turned Off Prior to Call Service 888-766-5832
Heater Doesn't Light Low Gas Pressure /No Gas Go Red Valve in Gas Line
Call Propane Supplier

Liner Problems                                                                             [Return]

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Liner Coming out of Top Out of Bead Receiver Tuck Back In-Needs to Be Warm
Liner Side Look Like Pillow Water Behind the Liner Check Sump Pit. Call Service to Reset 888-766-5832
Start Shaped Wrinkle in Shallow End Was has been under liner Call Service 888-766-5832 to Reset Liner
1/2 Moon Wrinkle Around Returns & Diagonal on Side Walls Liner has Floated & Shifted Call Service 888-766-5832 to Reset Liner
Discoloration Below Water Line Chemical Imbalance Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Call Service 888-766-5832 for a re-liner estimate.
3' Wide Stripes of Discoloration Faulty Liner Print Call Service 888-766-5832 for an evaluation.
Dark Brown Color at Water Line Body Oils and Lotions Adhering to Sidewall Scrub Liner with a Vinyl Cleaner
  Iron Stain on Liner Call Service 888-766-5832 for a re-liner estimate.
Hole in Liner Punctured by _______? Patch w/ Vinyl Repair Kit. Call Service for a Dive & Patch Repair.
Separated at Seam Pool Weld Call Service 888-766-5832 for an evaluation.
Turquoise Color on Side Walls Copper in Water Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Chemically treat the water for copper.
Liner has Welts on Sidewalls Poor Water Chemistry Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Call Service 888-766-5832 for a re-liner estimate.

Pool Lights                                                                                     [Return]

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Light Won't Come On GFI Tripped Press Reset
Faulty Switch Call Electricial
Bad Bulb Replace bulb. Available at our retail store locations.
Water Level Too Low Light Must Be Submersed
Breaker in Main Panel Tripped Call Electrician
Water In Light Bad Fixture Seal Replace Fixture. Call Service 888-766-5832
Light is Dim Too Many Appliances on Circuit Unplug Some Appliances
SAm Light Doesn't Change Color Bad Color Motor Call Service 888-766-5832

Pool Water Leaks                                                                              [Return]

If you are adding over 1/4" a day, it is considered excessive water loss.                                                                         

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Excessive Air in Pump Crack/ Hole  in Suction Line Call Service 888-766-5832
Wet Area Around Pool Crack in Return Line or Liner Call Service 888-766-5832
Wet Area Around Equipment Hole in Pipes or Liner Call Service 888-766-5832
Wet Area Around Backwash Line End Bad Multiport or Jandy Valve Call Service 888-766-5832
Soft Spot on Liner Hole in Liner Patch Liner
Rust Spot on Sidewall of Liner Hole in Liner Patch Liner
Pool Looses More Water While Running Than Not Hole in Return Line Call Service 888-766-5832
Pool Looses Same Amt Off or On Hole In Liner Place Red Dye Around All Return Fittings Inside Pool to Locate Leak
Sump Pit Has Excessive Water Consistently Surface Water Getting in Backfill Check Drainage Away. Check Downspouts or Other Water Getting to the Pool
Pool is 2ft. (+/-) Low in Spring Auto-Cover Was Not kept Pumped Off  
Pool Looses 2" of Water in 24 hrs. Hydrostatic Valve in Main Drain Stuck Open Clean Hydrostat. Call Service for Diver.

 Pool Water Replacement

We do not recommend this, if you have a high water table, you have had recent rainfall, or if you have water in the sump pit. If none of the above conditions exist, then proceed to replace your water following the steps below:

  1. Take Auto-Cover Off.
  2. If you have city water that is clean and balanced, place your garden hose in the shallow end by the steps.
  3. Place a small cover pump in the deep end and start pumping water  away from the pool.
  4. Monitor the rate or gallons per minute being pumped out of the pool. (Fill a milk jug.) Be sure that this is not faster than the rate you are pumping into the pool.
  5. Do not lower water level in the pool. Check with your local retail store for the total number of gallons in your pool.

**If you are on a well and have water trucked in, use the pool pump on Main Drain to pump water away from the pool. Monitor the rate and time water is being pumped into and out of the pool. This needs to be the same.

Pump Priming -Sand Filters

  1. Place multi-port valve handle on "Recirculate"
  2. Close all ball valves. Remove strainer lid and fill the pump pot housing with water. Replace the lid.
  3. Start motor and open one ball valve until pump primes -then open other ball valves slowly. If pump does not prime in four minutes, turn off power and repeat steps.
  4. When the pump is primed, turn power off, change multi-port valve to filter position and turn power back on.
  5. Pump Pot Basket -This is located in the front of the pump (motor) and should be kept clean of debris. Be sure that the o-ring on your pump basket lid is properly seated to insure no air leaks into you system.

Pump Priming -Cartridge Filters

  1. Close all ball valves and remove the lid to the strainer pot.
  2. Fill the strainer pot with water and replace the lid
  3. Open the air relief valve at the top of the filter.
  4. Turn the power on.
  5. Fully open the ball valve at the main drain. Watch the water hit inside of the strainer pot.
  6. Slowly open another ball valve. If as you are opening a valve, the water level drops in the strainer pot, close the ball valve and wait until the strainer pot fills with water again.
  7. Repeat this procedure until all the ball valves are open and water is flowing through the strainer pot normally.
  8. Tighten the air relief valve on the filter top, when the air dwindles and water starts to spray.

Pump Problems

Symptom Possible Problem Recommendation
Pump Won't Prime Water Level Low Raise the pool water level to 2/3 up the skimmer.
Air Leak in Threaded Fittings Before Pump Re-Teflon all threaded fittings.
Pump Lid Not Tight Tighten Lid
Drain Plugs in Pump Loose Check O-Rings on Plugs & Tighten
Pump Lid Cracked or Bad Gasket Replace Lid or Gasket
Large Nuts on Red Handled  Valves Loose Tighten Nuts on Red Handled Valves
Skimmer Basket Full of Debris Clean all Baskets (use Skim-Vac plate when sweeping)
Crack In Pump Housing Replace Housing -Call Service 888-766-5832
Pump Shuts Itself Off Auto Shut-Off senses a problem Replace Motor
Pressure is fine with one valve open, but is low or has air with two 2nd line has an air leak or 2nd line is cracked. Call Service 888-766-5832
Leak in the Middle of the Pump Bad Seal Assembly Call Service 888-766-5832
Threaded outlet fitting loose Re-Teflon and replumb.
Pump Feels Hot Normally are too warm to touch  
Air Vents on Bottom Side of Motor Blocked Check Air Vents
Low Voltage to Pump Have Electrician Check Voltage at Motor
Dryer Vent Exhausting on Top of Motor Check for Dryer Vent Location, Move Motor Away & Into Shade.
Pump Won't Turn On GFI Tripped or Bad Turn GFI Off and Try to Reset
Breaker in the Main Panel Tripped or Bad Go to Main Panel and Reset
Bad Pump Switch Replace Pump Switch
Bad Starter Capacitor Call Service 888-766-5832
Bad Wiring in The Motor Call an Electrician.
Pump Won't Turn Off Bad Switch Replace Switch.
GFI Trips when I Turn Pump On Too many things plugged into that circuit. Remove all external appliances from the pump circuit.
Not Enough Pressure from the Pump on the Filter Pressure Gauge Clogged Impeller

 

 Remove the Pump Basket and Clean Out Debris
Dirty Filters Clean Filters
Water Comes 1/2 Way Up Pump Pot Then Goes Back Down Low Pool Water Raise Water Level
Skimmer Weir Sticking Change Weir in Skimmer

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Last modified: 09/05/08