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Got pool repair questions? I'm happy to assist where I can.

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by tech1208, Jan 12, 2020.

  1. Mar 3, 2020 at 9:15 PM
    #31
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    I purchased my home last summer and it has a pool and spa. The previous owner said the spa heater went out a few years ago and he removed it but never replaced it because they no longer used it. My wife and I would like to put in a new one but have no idea on cost or which kind one to go with. It would have to run on propane which I have on the property and lines already to the equipment. I'm in California so I understand price can vary.

    Any suggestions?
     
  2. Mar 3, 2020 at 9:34 PM
    #32
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    Redneckistan... aka Cypress, TX
    2019 Crewmax Platinum 5" Zone lift Fox 2.5 /OME suspension 12.5x35x18 ProComp's
    Man... 5 posts in and I'm already screwed. Our dogs are in our pool 5x more than we use it. Two and sometimes 3 at a time. Going to have to drop a Baby Ruth in there before I let them out and monitor them for E. coli... :itllbuffout:
     
  3. Mar 4, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #33
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    A couple of questions:

    1) Do you have automation, or do you manually control the valves to move from Pool to Spa and back?
    2) Can you post pics of the equipment as it sits now including the lines that were cut or looped out from the old heater?

    My go to heater with or without automation, is a Jandy JXi. The choices for the JXi are 259K or 399K BTU in Propane. I find these heaters hold up the best, and are reasonably repairable after the warranty period ends. The key with any heater is to use it, and keep it raised off ground level on a raised concrete pad. This will keep leaves and water from pooling up under it, as well as deter small critters from making a vacation residence out of it when not in use. Both Pentair and Hayward make good models, however typically they are not my first choice unless replacing one in kind, like for like. Makes water and gas line R&R much easier.
     
  4. Mar 4, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #34
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Proper cleaning, filtration and sanitization will keep you and the animals safe.
     
  5. Mar 4, 2020 at 1:54 PM
    #35
    whiskeydrink

    whiskeydrink Asst to the Regional Manager

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    Hey @tech1208 ! I’m looking to have my pool remodeled (resurface w plaster or pebble tech, tile and coping). I have a good friend who left the pool business who is offering to connect me directly with a contractor, who works locally for several businesses, in order to circumvent the usual mark up from the pool companies one would normally go through, resulting in a better price. Trying to think of any disadvantages of doing this, maybe liability? As the owner of a pool company I’m sure you could think of a few Thanks for the resource.
     
  6. Mar 4, 2020 at 1:54 PM
    #36
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    @tech1208

    Here's a couple pictures of the equipment space and valves. The valves are manual. The spa heater used to be to the left of the pumps.
    IMG_9756.jpg IMG_9757.jpg
     
  7. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #37
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Pad is great, and gas regulator is good location too. No automation, so I'd slap the JXi on there. Main question is what size? The only difference in the units are cost. The Heater size will determine the time to heat your spa at startup. Maintaining is usually capable with either size unless you have a huge gallon spa. Most are 6 person or less.

    Good Luck!
     
  8. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:10 PM
    #38
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Your call on this, as I'm not familiar with downfalls or issues with in ground pools in TN. Here in FL, I have pop up insurance for my business. Since water tables are all over the place down here, If I drain one and missed a high table, I have to be sure to cover the pool if it pops up and out. Only other thought for you is, what happens when the person completes the work and you are "Ok" with it, however would've liked it to be better than "Ok." Where's your recourse if any? You have to decide that and your relationships. When I'm contracted, I complete work to customer's satisfaction. Word of mouth is key to my business when performing jobs like this. I get over 70% of refinish work from referrals of past work completed. And I track this. The other 40% comes from the store walk ins, or marketing. I can't have an unsatisified or "Ok" customer on this type of work.
     
    whiskeydrink[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:12 PM
    #39
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    I would say it's an average sized in-ground spa. What size would you recommend going with? Looks like the difference is about $400
     
  10. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:44 PM
    #40
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    I typically recommend the larger BTU as it will heat the spa quicker, and the money as you discovered is marginal over the life of the heater. Only small spas, start with the smaller BTU.
     
  11. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:45 PM
    #41
    JMB

    JMB Not new, just a little old.

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    5100s all around, 295-70-18 Defenders, 1.25 Spidertrax spacers, BD reverse lights, de-badged, interior LEDs, footwell LEDs, reverse LEDs, ARE cap, front receiver hitch for cooler holder, cooler holder/rod rack, backup camera, Kenwood HU, Westin nerf bars, Husky floor liners, folding rear seats, remote battery posts, plastidip grill chrome, Powder coat bumpers.
    Liner lock for vinyl pools, how important? Mine is about 7 years old and the liner lock is brittle and falls out continuously. I plan on replacing it when the pool is warmer so I can do it for in the water. Is it safe to wait a few more months? Is it even necessary?
     
  12. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:48 PM
    #42
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    I don't know. I don't repair or install vinyl liner pools in my market. If I get two calls a year for one, it would be rare. Vinyl liner pools are typically North Florida and up, Orlando is 98% aggregate or fiberglass in ground.
     
    JMB[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:52 PM
    #43
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    @tech1208

    Thanks for the advice, when I'm ready to pull the trigger I'll be installing the bigger BTU unit. Much appreciated!!
     
  14. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    #44
    JMB

    JMB Not new, just a little old.

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    5100s all around, 295-70-18 Defenders, 1.25 Spidertrax spacers, BD reverse lights, de-badged, interior LEDs, footwell LEDs, reverse LEDs, ARE cap, front receiver hitch for cooler holder, cooler holder/rod rack, backup camera, Kenwood HU, Westin nerf bars, Husky floor liners, folding rear seats, remote battery posts, plastidip grill chrome, Powder coat bumpers.
    Gotcha. It's mostly vinyl here, but fiberglass seems to be getting popular.
     
  15. Mar 4, 2020 at 4:25 PM
    #45
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    Redneckistan... aka Cypress, TX
    2019 Crewmax Platinum 5" Zone lift Fox 2.5 /OME suspension 12.5x35x18 ProComp's
    I have a pool guy who comes by weekly. I have had to replace a motor and a pump recently and we have so many trees and bushes (pollen) within 30' of the pool, filters/screens have been replaced about every 2 or 3 years.
     
  16. Mar 4, 2020 at 4:54 PM
    #46
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    If you use Chlorine tablets, make sure he's not leaving them in the skimmer basket in lieu of a floater on inline/offline chlorinator. Placing them in the skimmer basket, is the number one cause for premature pump/motor failure, and skimmer premature cracks and breaks.
     
    Festerw likes this.
  17. Mar 19, 2020 at 7:06 PM
    #47
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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  18. Mar 19, 2020 at 8:03 PM
    #48
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    I can tell you its old. Need to open it up and see if the burners are still good or rusted out. After that quick inspection, you won't know how it is til you start it up. Typically when I see used heaters that are this old, there's typically something wrong them from at a minimum having sat without circulation. Nevermind the gas side of it.

    Best of luck if you do decide. It's a big gamble to go through the whole install to find out you have a leak on water and/or gas, and/or no burner startup.
     
  19. Mar 19, 2020 at 9:37 PM
    #49
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    Thanks, I'm checking with the seller to get the model number and more info, but based on your comments I'll probably pass.
     
  20. Apr 28, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #50
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

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    @tech1208

    My pool sweep us having problems and it appears the sweep hose is leaking. The sweep itself seems older. If I was to replace the whole sweep, which one should I go with?
     
  21. Apr 28, 2020 at 4:53 PM
    #51
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    What type do you have now (if you don't know, post a pic)? What type of pool do you have (Concrete, gunite, vinyl liner, fiberglass, in ground, above ground)? and what area of the country are you in?
     
  22. Apr 28, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #52
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Sorry, I just looked back at the thread, and see you and I had discussed previously some of what you have. I see you have a Booster pump in the previous photo. So you have a pressurized sweep now, not suction.The latest and greatest is the Polaris Quattro. Zodiac basically took a robotic design and adapted it to a pressure sweep. My partner put one in his pool and loves it. It's our go to if the customer will spend the money. If not you can't beat the Polaris 3900. Especially where you are in N.Cal, and the big leaves on an exposed non screened pool.
     
  23. Apr 28, 2020 at 6:01 PM
    #53
    OV-1794

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    Thanks for the quick response. My pool guy just left and he thinks there is a couple issues that may be causing the sweep issue. He's going to fix the main issue he sees and then we'll go from there. If that doesn't fix it I'll probably go with the quattro. Much appreciated!
     
  24. May 3, 2020 at 10:05 AM
    #54
    whiskeydrink

    whiskeydrink Asst to the Regional Manager

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    @tech1208
    Just had my pool surface replastered medium gray. This is day five after the initial fill and everything looks good. Water chems are almost there but my chlorine level is low, around .5. I was told not to shock the pool. I’ve got a floater fully loaded with tabs and a tab in each skimmer (even though I know it’s a no no) trying to boost the chlorine. It’s been warm here the past week. Would it be a terrible idea to let a quarter bag of shock dissolve in a bucket then add it to the pool? Or should I just be patient and let the tabs do
    Their thing? Thanks for being a resource!
     
  25. May 3, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #55
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Your contractor is your best source for these answers, as he is guaranteeing the finish and providing the startup procedure.

    With that being said, looks like your in TN. If the pool is an exposed aggregate plaster, I would not be so concerned with the chlorine level. When I do a pool with exposed aggregate (90% of the time), I'll ramp up the chlorine level over 28 days. 28 days is the key for us down here in Central and South Florida. Once I refill the pool, I static line a floater with tabs in the middle of the pool. I don't want it rotating around the pool. I expect the chlorine level to slowly creep up towards a 2 reading by week 2. I do my best to keep it at 2-3 for the full 28 days.

    Meanwhile my PH is kept around 6.8-7 the whole 28 days. This keeps the calcium from coming out of the plaster and causing major issues. Alkalinity should be no higher than 65. The first two weeks these numbers will change everyday. They start to stabilize after the two weeks being the last few days almost the same.

    The first two weeks requires brushing with a poly brush no metal, twice a day everyday. After two weeks, once a day everyday. This is the minimum. If you have a lot of dust, you need to brush more often, and clean the filter more often. Dust (Calcium) is a problem and you don't want it to get out of hand. Muriatic acid will be your friend for the 28 days to PH down.

    Again, I'm not familiar with your market and temperate zone. I really recommend speaking with your contractor. You won't be the first customer to have called him asking these questions.

    Randy
     
    whiskeydrink[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. May 3, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #56
    swampshark

    swampshark New Member

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    need to repaint concrete pool deck (gunite?) that has lots of texture for dirt to accumulate...what's the best paint to use that won't peel off with cleaning, use and time?
     
  27. May 3, 2020 at 10:19 AM
    #57
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    Prep will make it last longer if you pressure wash the old paint off first. If you are trying to recoat, it won't matter what you use, it will be a 2-3 year redo. As for brands, we use in house pool deck paint, and expect to get 4-5 years out of it. I personally used Sherwin Williams Armor deck paint for mine. Lasted seven years plus now. It's not inexpensive though.

    Randy
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2020
  28. May 3, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #58
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    This thread makes me happy I no longer have a pool at home lol.

    Worst thing I usually have to do with the 300K gallon indoor one I'm responsible for is dump water to lower the TDS.
     
  29. May 3, 2020 at 10:32 AM
    #59
    tech1208

    tech1208 [OP] Old Salt, New truck

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    TDS can be major problems for homeowners. No one wants to take the time to drain at least half the pool to get rid of them. Pools with multiple dogs are the worst.
     
  30. May 3, 2020 at 11:22 AM
    #60
    Medic343

    Medic343 5+4+3=2

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    The wife and I are starting to look at purchasing a home and would like our new place to have a pool. My question is if we go to look at a home with a pool is there anything in particular I should look for that is a sign of bad news and lots of money to fix in the future? Also, just for personal knowledge, is it possible, and what are the approximate costs associated with switching a pool to a salt water system?
     

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