In-ground Pool Light Leak Repair

In-ground Pool Light Leak Repair

Swimming Pool Light Leaks

In-ground swimming pool lights are prone to leakage from the conduit, which is the pipe that carries the light cord from the lamp to the junction box. Pool light conduit is ¾” or 1” gray PVC pipe, running under the deck. Because the point where the pipe connects to the light niche is not sealed, water can enter the pipe. In some cases, water in the conduit may freeze solid, cracking the conduit and start to leak out from the pool. In other cases, the conduit can be cracked during deck placement, or from shifting soils or sliding slabs.

Is the Pool Light Leaking?

The way to determine a pool light leak is by continuing to operate the pool on main drain only (close or plug the skimmers), and allowing the pool water level to drop. If the water level seems to stabilize at the level of the light, or more precisely, just a few inches below the top of the light – you may have a conduit leak. To be certain, you can add a few inches of water and shut off the pump, plugging the skimmers, returns and the main drain pipes, and any other pool plumbing lines, with expansion plugs.

If an in-ground gunite pool continues to leak with all the lines plugged tightly and the pump shut off – that means that there is a leak in the pool shell or the pool light. Vinyl liner pools have to rule out leaks in the liner, or anywhere the liner was purposely cut; such as the steps, skimmer, return, drain and pool light.

For more advanced pool light leak detection, Anderson Mfg. makes a Pool Light Tester, allowing you to seal up against the pool wall, and add dye, to watch if it gets sucked out of the conduit.

How Low Can You Go?

If the water level continues to drop below the halfway point of the light, you may have a conduit leak, but there is also some other leak somewhere else. A pool light conduit leak will only leak down to the port on the upper back of the light niche, where the conduit connects.

Pool Light Niche Leaking?

Pool light niches rarely leak, it’s extremely rare for a pool light to be leaking through the shell of the light niche, or around the light niche – 99% of the time a pool light is leaking, water is running out through the light conduit. Vinyl pools however, have the light niche gasket sealed to the pool wall, which has more leak potential, around the niche.

Water inside the Pool Light?

If there is water inside the lens of the pool light, which you can usually see from on-deck, that doesn't mean that the light is leaking, but it does mean that the lamp gasket has failed, letting water leak inside and surround the bulb. This could be a potentially hazardous situation that should be corrected, but it is not the source of the pool leak.

Fixing a Pool Light Conduit Leak

Relax, we won’t be digging up the broken light conduit, there are a few ways to seal up the light conduit from inside the pool, where it connects to the back of the light niche.

SILICONE:  With the water level  at mid-light or lower, squirt silicone rubber up into the conduit, and around where the light cord enters the port. Clean the areas beforehand, to improve the bond and seal. Makes a fairly permanent repair, but can be a pain if you need to replace the entire light at some point in the future – you’ll have to dig it all out.

POOL PUTTY: Mix up half of the epoxy/resin Pool Putty, and pack it around the (cleaned up) light cord and connection port. Make a cone of putty  that seals up against the niche, cord and port. Fill the pool back up, and allow the light to remain on deck for 24 hours, to allow the putty to dry. Carefully reinstall the light to avoid disturbance to the putty.

 LIGHT CORD STOPPER: For the most permanent solution to a pool light conduit leak, seal up the hole in the light niche with a Light Cord Stopper. Made in two sizes, to fit 3/4" or 1" hole, with a hole running through it to allow the light cord to pass through. Just push it in place firmly to keep water from entering the conduit. Good for new pools, too - to prevent a light conduit leak in the first place!

Hidden Benefits of a Pool Enclosure

Hidden Benefits of a Pool Enclosure

Owning your own pool allows you a lot of freedom, not the least of which is the ability to jump in and out of the cool water whenever you want to. However, once the seasons change and the weather takes a turn for the worse, that pool can become a pointless waste of outdoor space.

Investing in a high-quality pool enclosure will not only keep debris out of your pool and protect swimmers from rain and snow, but they'll also assist pool owners in a lot of other little-known ways. Here are a few benefits to a pool enclosure:

1. Reduce Chemical Use

If you've owned a pool for a long period of time, you know the constant tinkering with chemicals to find the right balance. Too much and your pool can cause irritation in the eyes and mouth of your swimmers, but levels too low may cause cloudiness in the water due to bacterial build-up. Constantly stocking up on the right pool chemicals and testing kits are also a big expense for pool owners, but adding a pool enclosure will reduce the amount of exposure to phosphates, pollutants and pathogens that can enter your pool's water and reduce the need for chemicals.

2. Create an Outdoor Living Space Year-Round

Throwing a tent or piece of canvas over your pool won't keep your swimmers warm during the cooler months, but a custom enclosure with an electrical system, HVAC capabilities, and increased insulation will keep harmful UV rays out and warm air in. Many manufacturers offer custom branding and color options, so your tension fabric pool enclosure can easily blend into your home's existing aesthetic instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. Pool enclosures with wide doors and window panels can become year-round fixtures in your backyard, providing shade for some and bright sunlight for swimmers.

3. Improve Your Health

With year-round access to a pool in your own backyard, you can beat the cold weather-blues and continue an aerobics exercise regiment with lap swimming, water weights, and treading water without leaving your home! And because you'll be training at the same temperatures every day, your body won't have to acclimate every time you take a dip. Releasing muscle tension, reducing stress, and improving circulation are all benefits of water exercises, so keeping your pool accessible year-round may be a great boost to your overall health.

4. Reduce Your Risk

As with other aspects of your property, you're liable for pool injuries. While pool owners do pay a higher premium for homeowner's insurance due to the elevated risks of simply owning a pool, having a secure pool enclosure will prevent trespassers from having access to your water and help prevent accidents. Since your pool decks will be covered and heated, there won't be any icy, slippery areas around your pool that come with owning a pool in the winter months.

5. Improve Your Security

Covering your pool keeps out debris and cold weather, but a pool enclosure will also keep away wild animals and insects from putting a damper on your fun or possibly becoming trapped in your pool and drowning. Same goes for intruders in your backyard - a pool enclosure equipped with its own security capabilities or incorporated into your home's existing system will prevent unauthorized access and alert you to unwanted guests in your backyard.

 

~ Of course, you will need a pool heater, unless you live in South Florida, but the expense of heating an enclosed pool may be less than you may think. If you also use a solar blanket, most in-ground pools with an enclosure spend only $200-$500 dollars per month in winter pool heating costs, depending on how far north you live in North America. Get more out of your pool - enclose it! 

sWIMMING POOL FILTER 101

Keeping your swimming pool clean is the most essential part of pool ownership. The circulation of water allows the pool chemicals to keep the water sanitized and crystal clear. This is greatly aided by the type of pool filter that you use in your swimming pool. The three types of pool filters are sand, cartridge and Diatomaceous Earth. No matter the type of filter you have in your pool; your pool is just a pond without a good pool filter.

Sand Filters

Sand filters are the easiest to use of all the types of pool filters. Their operation is very basic, but excellent at doing the job of removing dirt and debris from your pool. Pool water is pumped into the filter and the sand traps the containments. The tighter the sand is packed in the filter the better. The water must work itself through the tightly compacted sand and is more likely to catch unwanted visitors. Sand filters are more efficient when they are slightly dirty; consequently they should only be backwashed when required by the increase in pressure. Sand filters should be cleaned at least every season with a filter cleaner. Dirt is removed from a sand filter by “backwashing” or reversing the water flow. Ask your pool professional about the proper “backwashing” procedure, as they change depending on the type of pool filter you have. The filter should be backwashed when the pressure gauge on the filter unit indicates a 7-10 lbs. increase over normal operating pressure. This is the pressure indicated on the pressure gauge when the filter is completely clean. A sand filter can filter the pool’s water down to about 25-30 microns of dirt. This is extremely beneficial at keeping your pool’s water clean and crystal clear. Consult your pool professional for the frequency requirements for changing the sand.

Diatomaceous Earth Filters

Diatomaceous Earth, or D.E., pool filters will give your pool the cleanest water of all the types of pool filters. D.E. filters out the finest particulates down to about 5 microns. The Diatomaceous Earth pool filter is actually made out of the exoskeleton of algae. Like sand filters, the D.E. filter is cleaned by backwashing the filter when pressure increases 7-10 lbs. However, once the filter has been backwashed, new Diatomaceous Earth must be added to coat the grids in the filter. This is accomplished by pouring D.E. through the skimmer. Your pool professional can tell you how much DE is required to “recharge” your filter. To cut oils and other natural oil build-up, Diatomaceous Earth filter grids should be cleaned at least once every season using filter cleaner and thoroughly as well as being inspected for tears or rips in the grids.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters have the highest capacity of all pool filter types. This filter is the hybrid of the other two types of pool filter. The cartridge pool filter only needs to be cleaned twice a year. Dirt and debris need to be removed from a cartridge filter when the pressure gauge on the filter unit indicates an increase of 7-10 lbs. over normal operation pressure. You must remove the cartridge, or cartridges, from the filter and hose off all loose dirt and debris. It is best to soak the elements in filter cleaner for at least 12 hours or as recommended. This will remove all oils and grease embedded in the cartridge. After soaking, remove the cartridge and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Peak filter efficiency is achieved if you allow the cartridge to dry prior to reinstalling in the filter. Tip: purchase a second set of cartridge elements so they may be interchanged on a regular basis with the first set to avoid time with no pool water circulation. The filter is extremely efficient filtering the water down to 15 microns and only requires moderate maintenance for sparkling clear water.

One of the most attractive parts of a swimming pool is clean and clear pool water.  It is so much more enjoyable to know that your pool has crystal clear water. The pool’s filter is the catalyst behind clear pool water. Proper filter maintenance will allow you to enjoy your backyard paradise for many years. So, when you think about enjoying your swimming pool this year, don’t forget about your pool filter.  

Submitted by Tina Haden on September 17,2015

Oh NO Pool Stains !!!!!

Pool Stains!  A pool owner’s nemesis.  You scrub. Your pool guy scrubs. But still the pool stains remain.  Better living through modern chemistry?  No, neither extra chlorine nor muriatic acid, poured into your pool water, will erase those annoying pool stains.   You protest that your pool is not very old and besides you had it acid washed recently and surely it doesn't need it again.

Alas, there are pool guys who oversell acid washing.  It is a costly procedure and while it does make your pool look “good as new” it also shortens your pool’s life faster than a teen driver ages a parent.

Acid washing is a procedure that involves draining your pool then applying an acid that removes the pool stains by eroding a layer of the plaster.  It is very abrasive and damages your pool surface. The newly revealed undercoat does look fantastic BUT you just peeled a layer off your pool and this does reduce the life of your pool surface.

If you decide to have your pool acid washed:

1) Be sure to hire licensed, experienced pool professionals.

2) Start to set aside money now for a resurfacing, acid washing speeds your need for a new pool surface.

Pool Stains can be removed by acid washing!!

Closing or Winterizing a In ground Pool

The main purpose in winterizing your in ground swimming pool is to protect it from damage due to freezing water. Another is to keep it as clean as possible for the next season. Closing your swim pool properly can save you a lot of work when it comes time to open the swimming pool for the summer.

• The first step in the winterizing procedure is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced. You should make sure that your pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness are all balanced. By balancing your water chemistry you are protecting the surface of the pool from staining and etching.

• Adding a winterizing chemical kit to your water will help keep it blue and clear for the next season. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the kit.
• Do not use a floater that contains a strong oxidizer (chlorine or bromine) as the floater will stick against the wall and stain and/or bleach your wall, especially a vinyl liner. For the same reasons DO NOT throw chlorine or bromine tablets into the pool. They will sink to the bottom and damage your pool's surface.
• When water freezes, it expands. This can cause great damage to your pool, pool plumbing, and its filter system. If you are closing up your pool for the winter, you should always take precautions to protect from freeze damage no matter where you live. You can never be sure that it will not drop below freezing, even in the Sun Belt.
• The next step is to lower the water below the mouth of your skimmer(s). This will get the water out of the throat of the skimmer which can be easily damaged if water were to freeze there.
• Another option for vinyl liner pools is to put an Aquador over the mouth of the skimmer. This is a plastic dam which holds out the water from the skimmer, allowing you to leave the water level up for the winter. This will help in supporting your cover and also help keep the liner from "floating" if the winter is your rainy season. Sorry, they have not invented a similar device for concrete pools yet.

• 
  Blow out the water from your plumbing lines. You can do this using a shop vac. Use the discharge of the shop vac to blow water out of each line from the filter system. As the water is purged from each line, you will need to put a plug in the lines at the pool end. Some fittings will allow for a threaded plug, which is best. Be sure to use a plug with a rubber gasket or "O" ring to make a seal, or the water may fill the line back up. If your fittings are not threaded, then use a rubber freeze plug.
• In the skimmer(s) you should use a Gizzmo to seal the line. This device is a hollow tube which will collapse if water should get into the skimmer and freeze. Be sure to put Teflon tape on the threads of the Gizzmo to make a seal and to ease removal in the spring. It is usually impractical to put a plug in the main drain if you have one, but its extreme depth will normally protect it from freezing.
• You should cover your pool to keep out the debris. The type of cover you use will depend upon several factors.
• The final step? You must drain all the water from your filter equipment.
  • The filter should have a plug at the bottom that will allow it to drain.
  • Be sure to open the air relief valve on top if you have one.
  • Put the multiport valve in the closed or "winterize" position and remove the pressure gauge.
  • Drain the pump. There may be two plugs to remove here.
  • After draining the pump, turn it on for a brief second to get the water out of the veins of the impeller. Do not run the pump more than a second or two because you can burn out the seal very quickly.
  • You should have let the chemicals (chlorine/bromine tablets) run out of your feeder so that no chemicals are left in it. Leaving chemicals in your feeder over the winter can cause damage to it and other equipment.
  • You will now be able to drain your chemical feeder and automatic cleaner pump, heater, and any other filter equipment that has water in it.
  • If you put all the plugs that you have removed into the pump strainer basket, they will be easily found in the spring.
  • It is a good idea to take the pressure gauge inside for the winter because water collects in its tube which can freeze and cause breakage.
  • Do not put the plugs back on the equipment. If equipment should get water in it, the plugs will prevent proper drainage
    .