The typical swimming pool, hot tub, or whirlpool spa offers its owner many enjoyable hours of fun and relaxation for a small weekly time investment in cleaning and maintenance. As long as you take care of your pool, it works pretty well.
Forgoing the movie idea of a pool boy, you probably handle the pool cleaning yourself or you have your teenager, or a neighborhood teen handle it. With weekly cleaning, you can do that with no problem.
You will sometimes need to contact a professional swimming pool repair service though because while nearly anyone can clean a pool, a damaged pool, hot tub, or spa requires a pro to fix it.
Sometimes, the damage you can see seems small. Swimming pools consist of multiple layers of materials. Any damage you can view on top of the pool indicates a larger problem below the surface.
So, what eight signs that seem like small damage do you need to look for so you can avoid the larger damage? In this blog, we’ll explain the eight common types of damage that look so small and simple that they tempt experienced DIYers to try to fix them. The larger problem occurs because they typically patch or repair the part they can see with the naked eye instead of addressing how far-reaching that damage goes. Read on to learn when you really need to call a pool pro.
The Pool Walls Show Cracks or Breaks
That hairline crack you notice when swimming in your pool or using your spa or hot tub may seem small, but you need to address it as soon as possible so it doesn’t cause a larger problem. Even the smallest crack causes water leaks and can lead to soil erosion.
Dirty or Green Water
A sparkling blue pool doesn’t just look pretty, it signals a clean swimming pool. That means when you clean your pool according to directions, use the proper chemicals, and still notice that the water appears green or dirty, your pool probably has one of three problems:
- Pipework problems
- A malfunctioning pool pump
- Sand filter blockage
Your cleaning of your pool should include cleaning the pool filter and draining the filter, too. Skim the dirty water off the top of the pool water. If after this process, you notice any of the dirt or the water turns green again, you need to call a pool repair professional.
Broken Lights Need Immediate Repair
When a light in the pool breaks or a bulb burns out, you need that fixed instantly. You should not use an unlighted pool at night. Pool lights increase safety, so call a professional to have the lights repaired.
Malfunctioning Heaters
Your pool, hot tub, or whirlpool spa heater requires a pro to repair. Colder than normal water signals you to phone the repair company. Typical causes of these problems include blocked pipes and malfunctioning heater controls.
Cracked or Chipped Tiles
When pool tiles chip, crack or break, it usually indicates the age of the pool or water damage. In some cases, it indicates your pool’s structure incurred damage. Only a professional pool repair service can help repair this problem. Your pool may require complete retiling and it needs to attach directly to the pool’s substrate.
Discolored Grout
When you notice discolored grout between pool tiles, the grout needs cleaning. Dirt on grout and grime can wear it away. When your grout wears out, your pool springs a leak.
Pool Coping Cracks
Pool coping refers to the material on your swimming pool or hot tub that fits around the outer edge of the pool and up to its top. When it cracks or tears, it leaves the pool’s foundation exposed and its liner, too. It contributes to a dirty pool and presents a safety hazard to swimmers.
Plaster Chips or Comes Loose
Your concrete pool could develop chips in its plaster on its inner surface or the exterior or the exposed concrete (the part that you walk on that edges the pool) can crack. Those small chips or loose plaster signal a need for pool resurfacing.
Sometimes, you can have the cracks patched, but in most cases, that old plaster needs replacing. This affords you an important opportunity to change the look of your swimming pool. This type of resurfacing includes the pool’s bottom, too, so you can transform the appearance of your yard with the new liner or plaster.