Above Ground Pool Repair – Florida Coast Above Ground Pools https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com Above Ground Pool Specialists Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:55:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Swimming Pool Part Myth Busters https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/swimming-pool-part-myth-busters/ https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/swimming-pool-part-myth-busters/#respond Thu, 11 Mar 2021 20:46:56 +0000 https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/?p=3572 .flex_column.av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; }
Above Ground Pool Repair Myths

Pool Repair Myths Busted

When it comes to above ground pools and pool parts, there are a lot of know-it-alls out there. While most of these people are well-meaning, all too many have been fed inaccurate information that they now treat as gospel. Even worse, their incorrect assumptions might lead them to pass bad advice on to you. Of coarse many of the common issue we see also apply to inground pools too. So, before you make a DIY mess out of your summer fun, let’s discuss some of the biggest myths about pool parts we encounter every day.

When you replace your motor, you can skip changing the shaft seal

Replacing a motor can get real expensive real fast. For that reason, pool owners will often look at the extra $20 – $30 required to replace the motor shaft seal and decide to skip the whole process. However, if you reuse your old seal, you’ll not only void the warranty of your brand new motor, but you run the risk the two parts won’t properly mate. It’s just a few more dollars. You’ll thank yourself in the end!

Horsepower doesn’t matter for replacement motors

This is a big one. Sure, it’s true that you can change your pump motor to either a higher or lower horsepower, but it’s not true that doing so won’t have consequences. You see, your diffuser and pump impeller are directly impacted by your motor’s horsepower. If you don’t ensure that all these components match up, you’ll be buying another new motor to replace the one you just accidentally burned out.

You can lube your O-rings with Vaseline

Vaseline seems to be every DIY pool repair man’s go-to when lubing up O-rings. However, “petroleum jelly,” as it’s more commonly known, actually breaks down rubber. Instead, you want to use lubricants that are water, silicone, or Teflon-based. They make lube specific for swimming pool seals and o-rings. It’s available at most any pool store and probably even Walmart.

You can trust your pressure gauge

We’ve had customers who have wasted entire days checking every piece of pool equipment to explain a high or low pressure reading. In most cases, they come to find out that it’s the gauge itself that is faulty. To avoid feeling this way, turn your pump off first and see if the needle returns to zero. If it doesn’t, that should be the first replacement part you buy. These things go bad all of the time and they are only about $10 at any pool store.

All O-rings are created equal

Even a tiny difference in thickness, shape, or diameter can ruin a seal and cause a piece of expensive pool equipment to fail. Don’t try to guess when it comes to O-rings. Make sure you’re getting the exact type and size specified by the company that created the part in question.

Conclusion

In the end, not every DIY dad is capable of doing pool work themselves. While we’re all for saving money whenever possible, we suggest you try to recognize when a repair or replacement might be out of your depth. The internet is a great resource for “How To Guides.” Still, in the end, sometimes the wisest man is the one who calls a professional.

If you like what you read check us out at http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/

]]> https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/swimming-pool-part-myth-busters/feed/ 0 When To Replace Your Above Ground Pool Liner https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/when-to-replace-your-above-ground-pool-liner/ https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/when-to-replace-your-above-ground-pool-liner/#respond Sun, 21 Feb 2021 19:01:37 +0000 http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/?p=3496
  • Florida above ground pool liners

Above Ground Pool Liners Don’t Last Forever

The actual life span of your above ground pool liner can depend on may factors and many of them have nothing to do with how well you care for your pool. Long sunny summers in Florida mean more swim time annually compared to places like Michigan. This equates to more exposure to the sun’s vinyl damaging UV rays which harden and fade your pool liner. Aside from pool liners, the sun can also harden and dry out plastic parts like liner coping, pool skimmer boxes and gaskets. Bad gaskets account for the majority of skimmer leaks and skimmer leaks are the main cause of pool wall rust out and failure.

Long summers also mean more pool activity which can lead to punctures from toys and pets. Of course punctures are the norm for vinyl liner pools and they can easily be patched if you know you have a leak and where to find it. If you have an above ground pool or are considering purchasing one, be sure to pick up a vinyl repair kit. They are about $20 at any local pool store and one kit will patch dozens of leaks if needed.

More Than Just Sun And Kids

My advice for anyone wanting to make the most of their pool and liner would be to buy a good heavy duty liner to start with and take some simple measures to aid in it’s longevity. Start by purchasing at least a 25ga liner with your new pool or as a replacement. 25ga heavy duty liners are thicker material and will last longer and be more resistant to punctures. If you want the best of the best purchase a Doughboy pool liner. The Doughboy liners are better yet and made of materials that usually last 3 times longer than other brands including the 25ga heavy duty ones. But be prepared to pay at least double for the Doughboy brand pool liners.

Keep your pool covered when not in regular use. A pool cover is cheap insurance against the sun’s damaging rays. I would much rather spend a little money every few years for a pool cover over premature liner replacements. $50-$100 for a cover is far better that $400 for the average pool liner and $500 to install it.

Maintain the pool and the area around it. I would also limit the types of toys that are allowed in it to reduce the chances of liner damage. If you suspect you have a leak you probably have at least one if not more. Spend some time searching for it and get it patched, leaking pool water is very corrosive and will cause pool rust very quickly.

Lastly, don’t be a cheap skate. Typical 25ga pool liners don’t last more than 5 years in Florida and cheaper 20ga. liners may only last 1-3 years. Don’t try to see how long you can avoid replacing the liner, by doing so you are allowing corrosive chlorinated water to leak against the metal pool parts including the pool wall. This leaking water is eating away the metal and shortening the life of your pool. Replacing the liner every 5 years will allow you to visually see the inside of the pool wall and address any issues. Be sure to replace skimmer gaskets and other questionable plastic pieces at the same time. By doing this your above ground pool can live for 15-20 years in the tough Florida environment.

]]> https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/when-to-replace-your-above-ground-pool-liner/feed/ 0 Nutgrass Growing Through Pool Liner https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/nutgrass-growing-through-pool-liner/ https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/nutgrass-growing-through-pool-liner/#respond Sat, 20 Feb 2021 22:17:05 +0000 http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/?p=3477


Problem


Nutgrass Killer For Above Ground Pools

Answer


What Is Nutgrass?


Nutgrass, also known as nutsedge is a perennial grass-like weed that seeks out the moist poorly drained sections of your yard or garden and grows faster in hot weather than our lawns do. It’s leaves are grass-like and yellow-green, while the spiky head is purple or yellow. It’s a tough weed to control because it grows from tiny tubers or nutlets that form on roots that can grow 8-14 inches deep in the soil. Pull out the roots and some tubers will stay behind to grow again. Individual nutsedge plants may eventually form patches in your yard of 10 feet or more in diameter.

What makes this a big deal to above ground pool owners is that this weed will grow right up through your liner and cause leaks. Even worse is the fact it will grow through practically anything you lay on the ground to stop it, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this either. I’ve seen nutgrass grow through practically everything including weed barrier, plastic sheeting, Gorilla Pads, Styro-Foam, plywood ,vermiculite, roofing paper and more. This stuff will grow through asphalt so you know your pool liner is no match for it. If you live in Florida or the deep south, there is a really good chance nutgrass may be lurking in your backyard.


How Do I Stop Nutgrass From Growing Through My Pool Liner?


One of the most frequent questions people ask about installing their own pool is whether they must remove the grass on the ground first. The answer is always yes and for many reasons. I will get into some of the others in another blog post, but removing the grass with a sod cutter first will remove the majority of the nutsedge in your pool area and reduce the odds of you having this pesky weed growing up through your new pool liner.

Once your ground is level and the pool wall and frame are constructed, now would be time to treat the ground. An application of a quality nutgrass killer just before installing the pool liner is recommended if you suspect nutgrass in your yard. Only someone totally reckless would know about the problem weed and chance not spending a few more dollars to protect their brand new pool liner from impending disaster.

Once the weed starts growing through the liner it’s too late, from here on out all you can do is kill each individual new plant and patch your liner. There’s no telling how many patches you’ll be making but you’d best get some liquid poison, a syringe and a patch kit. You may get lucky and only have a few blades to deal with but I’ve seen pools with hundreds.

If you find yourself with too many nutgrass blades to contend with, you’re best to just pull out the pool liner, toss it and buy another. This happens all the time here in Central Florida and most people have no idea how troublesome this weed can be. I’ve seen it everywhere from Palm Bay to Orlando and even up the coast.  Now that you know about it’s time to make sure this problem doesn’t happen to you.

NOTE: Pool liner manufacturers do not warranty nutrass damage nor do any pool installers that I’m aware of. Odds are you won’t get it but a healthy dose of proper nutrass killer will likely ensure you won’t. In my years of doing swimming pool installs I treated the ground on every job. Even in doing this I still would see 1%-2% of the pools develop some degree of grass growing through. If you suspect you may have a nutgrass problem,or just want to play it safe, do not skip out on treating the ground as the cost of doing so can get expensive.


]]> https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/nutgrass-growing-through-pool-liner/feed/ 0 How To Buy An Above Ground Pool Liner https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/how-to-buy-an-above-ground-pool-liner/ https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/how-to-buy-an-above-ground-pool-liner/#respond Sat, 20 Feb 2021 22:11:38 +0000 http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/?p=3474
How To Buy An Above Ground Pool Liner

Buying An Above Ground Pool Liner


In recent time the internet has drastically changed the way we shop for everything including above ground pool liners.  In years past we went to the corner pool store picked up a liner and went home to install it. Nowadays the pool stores are either gone or have nothing that resembles a pool liner on their shelves. If you’re lucky enough to find one it’s likely not the size you need or it’s a pattern you don’t care for. This is where the internet really shines, thousands of products and rock bottom pricing, right? The answer is yes if you know what your really getting, so before you make your above ground pool liner purchase online there are a few things you need to know first.


All Pool Liners Are Not Created Equal


What I mean here is there are several different grades of pool liner so shopping by price isn’t the best way to go. Going this route can be an expensive lesson to learn for those bargain shoppers out there, buy the wrong liner and you may be doing this twice and that’s never a bargain.

When shopping for pool liners in Florida you may notice that there’s a wide range of prices for what seems to be the same size liner. This is because the thickness, materials and overall build quality can vary greatly. Buy one of those ultra cheap Made In China liners and it can leak right out of the box. Step up to an American made pool liner and you’ll likely get 3-5 years from it here in Florida. For those wanting to do this only once and have a liner that lasts 15-20 years, buy a Doughboy liner.  Make no mistake, you will get exactly what you pay for so decide what you really want before ordering. Buying a pool liner online is fine, just know what you are getting.


How Do I Know What I’m Buying


When shopping for your new above ground pool liner it pays to read or listen carefully. Pay attention to what the salesman says about the liner as much as what he doesn’t say. Leaving out the name of the manufacturer, material thickness, warranty info etc are clues they don’t want to know those things.

There has been a tidal wave of Chinese pool liners on the market in recent time and I can tell you first hand these liners are garbage. If a customer calls us to install a pool liner and they already have, we ask where it was purchased from. The reason is many of the bargain priced liner are so thin and poorly constructed that we don’t want to install them. They often leak or tear as a result of poor craftsmanship and not the installation process. To avoid potential conflicts we often pass on doing this type of work.


Where Should I Buy My Pool Liner


There are many places to buy an above ground pool liner but I would recommend you stack the odds in your favor by shopping a reputable pool dealer you can trust. If you can call and speak to a knowledgeable person with pool liner experience then that’s probably a good place to go. If your in Florida and they’re way across the country shop somewhere else. If you can click and buy but can’t speak to anyone, shop somewhere else. If the liner specs are vague shop somewhere else.

Important! Don’t be afraid to spend an extra $50 dollars and buy from a reputable local company, it’s likely a better liner and they’ll be there to help you out if there is a problem.  Here’s a link to my recommended local pool liner dealer, this is where I send all of my customers.


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