The average cost of pool repair is about $556 in the US for 2019. Pool repair costs range from $221 to $959 according to data provided by 3,299 homeowners on HomeAdvisor. One of the most common pool repairs is a replacing a pool motor, as pool motors go out after 6 years or so. Replacing a pool motor will cost you about $675 with low costs around $550 and high costs around $800.
If you are looking for “how to lower pool water level” of your in-ground swimming pool, this guide should help!
You may find that heavy rain has raised the water level of your in-ground pool and needs some removed to avoid subsequent damage and overflow to surrounding foliage, or even the deck. Another reason for removing water is accidentally leaving the hose running and overfilling, or preparing your pool for the winter season. The water level may be lowered by the filter’s multi-port or a drainage spigot on the pump, if the pool is equipped with either. However, if these are not available a submersible pump can be used, or a garden hose can be used for siphoning the water.
Heavy rain is able to dangerously increase pool water levels.
If you use a DE or sand filter in the pool, it will be equipped with a multiport valve. This can be used for backwashing the filter when it becomes dirty. There are two settings that can be used on the valve, Backwash or Waste, for draining pool water. Both of these settings will allow water out through the drain port. The difference is that ‘Waste’ allows water to bypass the filter, and ‘Backwash’ sends water to the filter going backwards (helping to clean it at the same time). If your filter needs cleaning, using the Backwash setting to drain the pool is best.
The first step is to turn off your pool pump prior to changing the valve handle, this will avoid any potential damages to plumbing or valves. To ensure full safety, the pump should be unplugged or disconnected power from the circuit breaker.
During normal operations, the filter is likely in the FILTER setting. Move the multiport valve handle to the BACKWASH setting by depressing it first. Ensure the handle is fully depressed prior to moving to avoid potential damage to the multiport valve seal.
Ensure the WASTE hose has been placed where you want water drained too.
Return power to the pool pump, running it for at least 2 minutes. You will notice the water changes from cloudy to clear within the sight glass located on the valve’s side.
Turn power to the pool pump OFF.
Ensure the multiport valve handle is fully depressed and change it to the RINSE setting. Once the backwashing has been completed, sand will be loose within the filter and needs resetting. This step also allows any dirty water remaining from the backwash to be rinsed from the filter, avoiding it being put back into the pool.
Turn power to pool pump back ON, running the filter for 1-2 minutes on RINSE.
Turn power to pool pump back OFF, fully depressing the multiport valve handle return to FILTER setting.
Turn power to pool pump back ON. Begin operation as normal. Make sure pressure dropped between 8 to 10 psi from where it was prior to the backwashing by reviewing the pressure gauge.
Pools that have cartridge filters will not require a multiport valve as the cartridge is removable for cleaning. However, the pool pump may be equipped with a drainage spigot. If your pool has this setup, it should be located between the filter and pump. Simply connect a garden hose to your drainage spigot, open flow and let the water drain out.
Submersible pumps are built to work when under the water, and there’s a chance you may already have one for keeping the cover dry during winter months. To use it, you just attach a drainage hose on the pump, place the pump in the pool, and allow it to sink to the bottom. Then, connect power to the pump and it will do the rest by pumping water though the hose. Be sure the hose is where placed where you want the water to drain. If a multiport valve or spigot is not available, use this method.
If you’re in a pinch, water can be drained by using a garden hose to siphon the water out. All you have to do is place the other end under pool water, ensuring it remains submerged. The other end should be at lower elevation.
To begin the siphon process, you have to build negative pressure within the hose to begin the flow. Sometimes, this can be done by quickly dropping the lower end of the hose. However, a common method is sucking the end to build negative pressure.
Not big on the idea of sucking water from the garden hose? You can also fill the garden hose with water, then attach a nozzle on the end. Place the open end into the pool water, then take the nozzle end to the drain location, and unscrew the nozzle. Because the water filling the hose creates a flow, it will make the negative pressure needed for starting the drainage process.
When lowering pool water levels, it can be a bunch of water. For a 20ft x 20ft pool, draining only 4-inches will be nearly 1,000 gallons. If not properly drained, it can create flooding issues for both you and neighbors. To avoid these type of issues, ensure water is draining into a sewer or the street. If you’re located in the country, simply look for a natural drainage path to safely carry water off.
If the reason you are draining the pool is to prepare for winter, below are some things to keep in mind:
If you are looking for pool cleaning services in Scottsdale, Arizona, Papago Pool Service can help! Get a free pool maintenance estimate by contacting us today!
If you are looking for common swimming pool problems and solutions, this post should help.
The air bleeder or air relief valve is located on top of your filter and is used to let air escape and let the tank fill up with water. It is vital that you open the air bleeder before you restart your motor. The force from the water may compress the air and cause pressure which may damage your equipment.
Solution: The unit will need to be disassembled and lubricated.
Solution: The passage may be clogged and will need to be disassembled and unclogged.
Solution: The rubber seal ring inside is missing or damaged and will need to be replaced.
Backwash is when you run water through your filter in reverse to flush the filter of contaminants and debris, which frees the filter to become less restricted so water can pass through the filter easily and collect debris more efficiently.
Solution: The pump needs to be primed.
Solution: More backwashing will be needed. Ensure that your lint and hair strainer is cleaned before you backwash.
The cartridge is an element within the filter that is covered with fabric that strains contaminants and debris from water that flows through it.
Solution: The filter needs to be replaced.
Solution: Remove the cartridge, replace it with a clean set and soak in degreaser or rinse with a pressure wash.
Caulking is material that is used in joints to create a waterproof seal.
Green pool water is one of the most common pool problems there is. Algae in your pool water builds up and without proper maintenance will start turning your swimming pool water green. Most algae growth is due to low chlorine levels or an improper pH balance.
Solution: You can get a pool service professional to perform a shock treatment to your pool water that will slowly remove the algae and get your water clear again.
Solution: Remove the old caulking, clean the joint and tape the sides, apply new caulking and strike to smooth out the finish and pull the tape. Correct anything by hand with a release agent and allow the caulking to dry.
Centrifugal force is the outward force that can be created by an object in a circular motion. This is the force that is create by water pumps to move water.
Solution: Find the leak and shorten the tubing to remove the leak which is common at ends of tubing or replace the tubing.
Solution: clean or replace the injector.
Solution: Clean or replace the strainer.
Solution: Replace the pump tube assembly.
The circulation system is a combination of pump, filter, pipes, and other components which allows water to flow through.
Solution: learn the system needs. Depending on system designs and the equipment, there may be different procedures. Refer to the pool chart.
Solution: change or backwash the cartridges.
Solution: clean the strainer before a backwash.
The coping is the cap stone on the edge of a spa or pool mounted on a bond beam.
Solution: reset the stone by removing the stone surface and reapplying fresh mortar. You can also replace the stone.
Solution: You can repair the crack with epoxy or mortar. This is just a temporary fix to ensure a safe, smooth surface. If it is really poor condition, replacement may be needed.
Discharge is the flow of water out of a port or pipe.
Solution: The PVC fittings and pipe need to be removed and replaced to reseal the threaded discharge. This is a repair normally done by a repair technician. If the discharge has bolted flanges, there will be a rubber gasket that makes the seal and it may just need to be tightened.
The effluent is the water being discharged from your equipment or pipe.
The erosion system is a chemical feeder that a tablet sanitizer is placed in to slowly dissolve by constant flowing water through the device.
Papago Pool Service offers pool repair services Scottsdale, Arizona. If you are experiencing problems with your pool, give Papago Pool Service a call today at (480) 423-9333 or visit our contact page to receive a free pool repair quote. If your are looking for pool service in Scottsdale, we can handle that too!