Complete Pool Care & Troubleshooting Guide

Your comprehensive resource for pool maintenance, water chemistry, equipment troubleshooting, and knowing when to call the professionals.

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SAFETY FIRST

This guide helps you understand your pool and identify issues. Many pool problems involve electrical hazards, gas systems, and chemical safety. When in doubt, call a professional.

How to Use This Guide

What You'll Find

  • What to look for - Signs and symptoms you can safely observe
  • Simple checks - Basic steps you can perform safely
  • ⚠️Call a professional when - Clear indicators to stop and get help
  • 💡Prevention tips - How to avoid problems

Emergency Numbers

  • Gas leaks: Call your gas company immediately
  • Electrical emergencies: Call 911
  • Pool emergencies: (682) 710-7665

Water Quality Issues

Cloudy Water

What you'll see:

  • Water looks milky or hazy
  • Can't see the bottom clearly
  • Swimming feels less pleasant

Simple checks you can do:

  1. Test your water chemistry with test strips or kit
  2. Check your filter - when was it last cleaned?
  3. Look at your skimmer baskets - are they full of debris?
  4. Check if your pump is running properly

Try these safe solutions:

  • Clean skimmer and pump baskets
  • Backwash or clean your filter
  • Add pool clarifier (follow label directions)
  • Run your pump longer each day

⚠️ Call a professional when:

  • • Water doesn't clear after 48 hours
  • • You're unsure about chemical dosing
  • • Filter system isn't working properly
  • • Pump has electrical or mechanical issues

Green Water (Algae)

⚠️ STOP - Call a professional immediately when:

  • • Water is green - this indicates dangerous bacteria levels
  • • You smell strong chemicals
  • • You're unsure about safe chemical handling
  • • Your normal shock treatment isn't working

Why you shouldn't DIY green pool recovery:

  • Requires large amounts of dangerous chemicals
  • Improper mixing can create toxic gases
  • Filter systems often need professional attention
  • Swimming in contaminated water causes illness

Prevention:

  • Weekly professional service prevents 99% of algae outbreaks
  • Maintain proper chlorine levels daily
  • Keep pH balanced (7.2-7.6)
  • Regular filter cleaning

CoOpPools provides same-day green pool recovery service.

pH Problems

Too Acidic

Below 7.2

Stings eyes, damages equipment

Perfect Range

7.2 - 7.6

Ideal for comfort & chemicals

Too Basic

Above 7.6

Chlorine less effective, scale formation

What you can safely do:

  1. Test pH with reliable test kit or strips
  2. Small adjustments only - follow instructions exactly
  3. Add chemicals to deep end with pump running
  4. Wait 4-6 hours before retesting

Safe adjustment guidelines:

  • Never add more than 1 lb per 10,000 gallons at once
  • Always add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals
  • Keep chemicals in original containers with labels
  • Store in cool, dry, ventilated area

⚠️ Call a professional when:

  • • pH won't stabilize after multiple attempts
  • • You need large adjustments (more than 0.4 pH units)
  • • You're mixing multiple chemicals
  • • You have ongoing pH problems

Chemical Safety Reminders:

  • • Never mix different chemicals
  • • Always read labels completely
  • • Use protective equipment
  • • Keep pets and children away during treatment

Equipment Issues

Pump Not Running

What to check safely:

  1. Circuit breaker - has it tripped?
  2. Timer settings - is it set correctly?
  3. GFCI outlet - has it tripped? (Test/Reset button)
  4. Visual inspection - obvious damage, water near electrical?

Simple steps you can try:

  • Reset tripped breaker once
  • Check timer programming
  • Press GFCI reset button
  • Clear obvious debris from pump area

⚠️ STOP and call professional when:

  • • Breaker trips repeatedly
  • • You see water near electrical connections
  • • Pump makes unusual noises
  • • You smell burning or electrical odors
  • • GFCI keeps tripping
  • • You're uncomfortable with electrical work

Why electrical work needs professionals:

  • • Pool electrical systems are complex and dangerous
  • • Code requirements change frequently
  • • Improper work can be fatal
  • • Licensing required for modifications

Filter Pressure Issues

Understanding Filter Pressure:

Clean filter: typically 8-15 PSI

Dirty filter: 8-10 PSI above clean pressure

Time to clean: when pressure rises 8-10 PSI above starting

What you can safely check:

  1. Pressure gauge reading - note the number
  2. Visual inspection - cracks in housing, obvious leaks
  3. Recent cleaning history - when was it last serviced?

When filter cleaning is DIY-appropriate:

  • You have manufacturer instructions
  • Cartridge filters (easiest type)
  • You're comfortable with the procedure
  • No mechanical issues present

⚠️ Call a professional for:

  • • Sand filter backwashing (if unfamiliar)
  • • DE filter cleaning (requires careful procedures)
  • • Any pressure over 50 PSI
  • • Cracked or damaged filter housing
  • • Pressure gauge replacement
  • • Unknown filter type or procedures

Heater Problems

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Most heater issues require professional service

Due to gas and electrical safety concerns, heater repairs should almost always be handled by licensed professionals.

Heater Not Heating

Safe checks you can perform:

  1. Thermostat setting - is it set above current water temperature?
  2. Circuit breaker - has it tripped?
  3. Timer - is it programmed correctly?
  4. Pool cover - are you using one to retain heat?

Visual inspection (DO NOT TOUCH):

  • Look for obvious damage
  • Check for water leaks around heater
  • Note any error displays
  • Listen for unusual sounds

⚠️ STOP immediately and call professional for:

  • • Any gas odor whatsoever
  • • Visible flames or sparking
  • • Water leaking from heater
  • • Electrical burning smells
  • • Error codes or fault lights
  • • Pilot light issues (if applicable)
  • • Any internal component access needed

Seasonal heating tips:

  • • Use a pool cover (can reduce costs 50-70%)
  • • Service heater annually before heating season
  • • Understand your local climate limitations
  • • Consider heat pump alternatives for efficiency

Gas Emergency Procedures

If you smell gas:

  1. Turn off gas supply if you know how and it's safe
  2. Evacuate the area immediately
  3. Call your gas company emergency line
  4. Do not use electrical switches or create sparks
  5. Ventilate the area if safely possible

Why immediate professional response is critical:

  • Gas leaks can lead to explosions
  • Electrical faults can cause fires
  • Internal damage can worsen rapidly
  • Safety systems may have failed

When to Call Professionals

🚨 Emergency Situations (Call Immediately)

Gas-related emergencies:

  • Any gas odor
  • Hissing sounds from gas lines
  • Dead vegetation near gas lines
  • Heater producing flames outside normal area

Electrical emergencies:

  • Sparking or arcing
  • Burning electrical smells
  • Repeated breaker tripping
  • Water in electrical panels or equipment
  • Shock from pool equipment

Chemical emergencies:

  • Accidental chemical mixing
  • Skin or eye contact with concentrated chemicals
  • Breathing difficulties around chemicals
  • Large chemical spills

Non-Emergency Professional Service Needed

Water chemistry issues:

  • Persistent problems despite proper treatment
  • Need for large chemical adjustments
  • Unusual water conditions
  • Testing equipment concerns

Equipment problems:

  • Any pump or motor issues
  • Filter system problems
  • Heater service needs
  • Electrical component replacement
  • Automation system issues

Maintenance beyond homeowner scope:

  • Equipment installation or replacement
  • System modifications
  • Leak detection and repair
  • Efficiency optimization
  • Safety system testing

Cost-Effective Pool Ownership

Understanding Pool Operating Costs

Typical monthly costs:

  • • Chemicals: $30-80
  • • Electricity: $50-150
  • • Professional service: $160-250
  • • Occasional repairs: $50-200

How professional service saves money:

  • Prevents expensive equipment failures
  • Optimizes chemical usage
  • Maintains energy efficiency
  • Catches problems early
  • Extends equipment lifespan

When DIY Makes Sense

Safe DIY tasks:

  • Basic water testing
  • Skimmer basket cleaning
  • Pool cover management
  • Simple chemical adjustments (small amounts)
  • Visual equipment inspection

Cost comparison:

  • • DIY water testing: $10-20/month in supplies
  • • Professional service: $160+/month but includes all maintenance
  • • Emergency repairs (from neglect): $300-2000+

Why Choose CoOpPools

🤝

Worker-Owned Difference

  • • Technicians are invested owners, not employees
  • • Higher skill levels through shared knowledge
  • • Transparent, honest pricing
  • • Long-term relationships, not quick profits
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Technology-Enhanced Service

  • • AI-powered diagnostics for accuracy
  • • Digital service records and tracking
  • • Proactive maintenance scheduling
  • • Efficient routing and communication
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Customer Education

  • • Empowering homeowners with knowledge
  • • Transparent explanation of all work
  • • Teaching safe DIY practices
  • • Building long-term partnerships

Ready for Professional Pool Care?

Let our worker-owned cooperative handle the complex stuff while you enjoy your pool safely.

Emergency Service

24/7 availability for urgent issues

Same-Day Service

Quick response for time-sensitive problems

Worker-Owned

Technicians invested in your satisfaction

This guide is provided as educational information only. Always prioritize safety and consult professionals when in doubt. CoOpPools is not responsible for any injuries or damage resulting from DIY attempts beyond the safe guidelines outlined here.

© 2024 CoOpPools Worker Cooperative. All rights reserved. Empowering pool owners through education and professional expertise.