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.
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