Pool Owner Resources

Have a question about your pool equipment? Find helpful answers to common problems with pumps, heaters, filters, salt systems, automation, and more.

COMMON POOL EQUIPMENT QUESTIONS

  • A pool pump shouldn’t suddenly get louder than normal. Grinding, squealing, rattling, or humming can be caused by debris, a clogged impeller, worn bearings, low water flow, or another issue inside the pump. If the sound is new or getting worse, it’s worth having it checked before a smaller problem turns into a bigger repair.

  • There are several reasons a pool heater may stop heating, including low water flow, a dirty filter, incorrect settings, a faulty sensor, or an issue with the heater itself. Check that your system has good water flow and that the temperature is set correctly. If the heater still won’t fire or is showing an error code, it may need to be serviced.

  • We recommend cleaning your pool filter about once a month. Regular cleaning helps maintain proper water flow, keeps the filtration system working efficiently, and prevents excess debris from building up in the filter. Depending on your pool, you may need to clean it sooner if you notice reduced water flow, higher-than-normal filter pressure, or a lot of debris in the pool.

POOL PUMPS

  • The right speed depends on your pool, the equipment you have, and how much water flow your system needs. Features like heaters, salt systems, waterfalls, and other equipment may require different flow rates to operate properly. For everyday circulation, we typically see variable-speed pumps running around 1,800–2,200 RPM, but every pool is different. Your pump should be set up based on the needs of your specific pool and equipment.

  • A pool pump will typically last around 7–10 years. How long it lasts can depend on how often it runs, the condition of the pool equipment, and how well the system has been maintained. If your pump is getting close to that age and you're starting to notice leaks, unusual noises, or other problems, it may be worth considering replacement rather than putting money into repeated repairs.

  • A leaking pool pump can have several causes. Some of the most common issues we see are a bad shaft seal, a loose or broken outlet union, a damaged drain plug O-ring, or a crack in the pump housing. Where the water is coming from can help determine what has failed. Because some leaks can lead to additional damage if they're left alone, it's best to have the source identified and repaired.

  • Whether a pool pump should be repaired or replaced depends on the age of the pump and what has failed. Smaller components may make sense to repair, especially on a newer pump. However, if the motor or drive has failed, we typically recommend replacing the pump rather than putting that money into a major repair. The overall condition and age of the equipment should also be considered before deciding.

  • If your pool pump has power but won’t run, there could be an issue with the pump itself or one of its internal components. The cause can vary depending on the pump and what it’s doing when you try to start it. If the display or controls have power but the motor isn’t running, the pump should be checked to determine what’s preventing it from starting.

  • If your pump appears to be running but you don’t see water flowing through the pool, there may be a problem with circulation. A blockage, low water level, closed valve, loss of prime, dirty filter, or an issue with the pump can all affect water flow. If the cause isn’t obvious, the system should be inspected before continuing to run the pump without proper circulation.

POOL HEATERS

  • There are several reasons a pool heater may not turn on or produce heat. Common causes include low water flow or pressure, the gas supply being turned off, an empty propane tank, a faulty safety switch, no power to the heater, or a damaged communication wire.

    One issue we see surprisingly often is rodents chewing through the heater's communication wiring. If the basic power, water flow, and fuel supply all appear normal, the heater may need to be inspected to determine what's preventing it from operating.

  • If your heater is running but the pool or spa is taking much longer than expected to warm up, the problem may be related to water flow or gas pressure being either too high or too low. A faulty safety switch, bad thermal regulator, or a scaled or sooted heat exchanger can also affect heating performance.

    If you're trying to heat a spa, another possibility is a failed actuator valve that isn't switching the system into spa mode properly. The cause depends on how the equipment is operating, so the system may need to be checked to determine what's limiting the heat.

  • If your pool heater starts but keeps shutting itself off, it may be responding to a safety condition or fault code. In some cases, the heater will shut down after a safety is triggered a certain number of times to help protect the equipment.

    The cause could be related to the heater’s control board, the pool’s control system, a safety component, or the gas supply. Checking the error code can help narrow down the problem, but repeated shutdowns should be diagnosed rather than continually resetting the heater.

  • A heat pump pulls heat from the outside air to warm your pool, so it heats more gradually and works best when outdoor temperatures are warm. We typically recommend heat pumps for homeowners who want to maintain their pool temperature for longer periods of time or heat during the warmer seasons. When temperatures drop during the winter, a heat pump has less heat available in the surrounding air and may need to run much longer to heat or maintain the pool temperature.

    A gas heater provides heat on demand by using combustion rather than relying on the outside air. Depending on the size of the spa and heater, a gas heater may heat a spa in roughly 15–45 minutes. A pool may take around 8 hours, although heating time varies based on pool size, heater size, starting water temperature, and conditions.

    We generally recommend gas heaters for homeowners who primarily want to heat a spa, want heat on demand, or only heat their pool occasionally. Gas can be more expensive when used frequently to heat an entire pool.

    So, which one is better? It depends on how you plan to use it. A heat pump may make more sense for maintaining heat over longer periods, while gas may be the better choice when you want faster, on-demand heating.