Why Spring Is the Time to Catch Problems
Every summer, Robert gets calls from homeowners who noticed something wrong in April and decided to wait. By July, they're looking at a two-week wait for a repair appointment — in the middle of pool season. The same repair that takes three days in spring can sideline your pool for three weeks in peak season.
Check your pool for these seven warning signs now. Most are inexpensive to fix if caught early.
1. Water Level Drops More Than Half an Inch Per Day
Evaporation is normal — about a quarter inch per day in Central Valley heat. More than that suggests a leak. A pool leak wastes thousands of gallons per month and the constant water loss can erode the ground under your deck and damage your pool shell over time.
2. Pump Makes New Noises
A healthy pump hums quietly. Grinding, screeching, or rattling sounds mean bearings are failing or debris has gotten into the impeller. Catching this early is a $200 bearing replacement. Ignoring it becomes a $900 motor replacement.
3. Algae Returns Within Days of Treatment
If algae keeps coming back despite proper chemical treatment, you have a circulation problem — usually a clogged filter or a failing pump. Algae needs stagnant water. Fix the circulation and the algae problem solves itself.
4. Cracks in the Pool Surface
Hairline cracks in the plaster are cosmetic. Structural cracks that go through the shell and leak are serious. You can test a crack by marking it with a pencil and checking if the mark moves over two weeks — if it does, the crack is active.
5. Heater Won't Fire or Shuts Off Early
Heater problems in spring are annoying. The same problem in December means cold water for weeks while parts are ordered. Service your heater in April when technicians are available.
6. Pressure Gauge Is Always High or Always Low
A consistently high reading means a clogged filter or blocked return lines. A consistently low reading means a suction problem — often a clogged skimmer basket or impeller. Both hurt equipment life and water quality.
7. Discoloration Around Jets or Fittings
Dark staining around return jets or at the waterline indicates a metal or mineral problem in your water chemistry — usually iron or copper. Left untreated, it permanently stains plaster and becomes expensive to remove.
If you spotted one of these problems, our pool equipment repair service covers pumps, filters, valves, leaks, and everything else on this list. Central Valley homeowners can also visit our Fresno pool service page to see the full scope of what we do.
Ready to get your pool handled? Call Robert directly or fill out the contact form.
