Why Booking a Pool Equipment Inspection is so Important
Some pool owners use the physical appearance of their pool water to determine whether or not their pool is healthy. If it looks clear, it’s easy to assume everything is working as it should, but often small problems lurk undetected until they develop into larger issues and then the pool condition can change rapidly. The equipment, plumbing and control systems all need to work together. When they don’t, it may be harder to maintain the condition of your pool.
During an equipment inspection, our technicians evaluate the entire filtration system examining pumps, filters and chlorinators, as well as ancillary equipment which may be fitted such as gas & solar heating, automatic valves and lights to ensure they are all functioning correctly.
A client of ours recently booked an inspection with our senior service technician Lachlan, and we thought we’d take the opportunity to walk you through what we do during these services.
Our Clients Requirements
The client had a specific problem he wanted investigated but also wanted a full equipment check over as it had be several years since anyone had looked at it. The goal wasn’t just to fix the known issue, but to step back and assess the entire system properly. With pool systems, problems are rarely isolated so taking a broader view helps identify not only what’s going wrong, but why it’s happening and how different components may be affecting each other. When Lachlan arrived on site, he was tasked with:
- Identifying what equipment was installed
- Checking each item for signs of wear and the need for repair or replacement
- Investigating the known issue with the chlorine dosing system
- A site assessment for replacing the current gas heater with a heat pump
- Looking at options for future upgrades
Equipment Inspection Findings
Worn Auto-Dosing Equipment
One of the first issues identified was with the chemical dosing system. The clients pool equipment included a liquid chlorine and acid feeder system designed to automatically maintain water balance. These systems are very effective when they’re working correctly, but they rely on a number of small components to do their job. In this case, the connection point where the liquid chemical feeder tube attaches was broken which meant the system couldn’t deliver chemicals into the pool.
A temporary repair had been carried out using silicone in the past but this was only a short-term solution and had outlived it’s usefulness. For the system to function properly again, the damaged bracket and connection point will need to be replaced.
Solar Heating Sensor Placement
Another issue came down to how the solar heating sensor had been installed. Rather than being properly fitted into the pipework, the sensor had been siliconed against the pipe. This means the sensor is not detecting the water temperature as accurately as it should.
Temperature sensors play an important role in how a solar pool system operates. If they’re not reading accurately, the system can’t make the correct decisions about when to heat the pool. The correct fix will involve cutting and replacing a section of pipe so the sensor can be installed properly using either a grommet or sensor well. It’s a more involved repair but it ensures the system works as efficiently as possible.
Impaired Water Flow and Circulation
Attention then turned to the water flow through to the pool and spa. As it was a pool and spa ‘combo’, valves are fitted to control the flow to each location. However, the pool returns were completely shut off, and the spa returns were mostly restricted so water flow was less than optimum. Further inspections found the pool returns also had plugs installed.
This is where experience plays an important role. While it might be tempting to simply open everything up and restore flow, doing so without understanding why those changes were made can create bigger problems. In this case we suspected there may be a leak in the pool return line. Rather than forcing the system open, Lachlan made the decision to partially open the valve and monitor the water level. As suspected, the water level dropped rapidly confirming a leak between the pool equipment and return opening in the pool. It was recommended to obtain a proper leak investigation and determine where the leak is before deciding whether it can be repaired easily or not.
Gas Heater Not Responding
The gas heater was the next area of investigation. Although it wasn’t showing any fault codes, it also wasn’t attempting to ignite. The heater was controlled via an external control system and situations like this often point to a communication issue rather than a fault with the heater itself. Here, the likely cause is related to the control cable connecting the heater to the control system. If that signal isn’t getting through properly, the heater simply won’t start. As this was an older control system that is long obsolete so we don’t see too many of them anymore, we needed to research the correct wiring configuration for this heater before testing the gas heater further.
During the equipment inspection, it also became clear that the owner wasn’t aware the gas heater could be used to heat the spa independently. After explaining how the system works, they chose to keep the heater specifically for on-demand spa heating. This is where gas heaters are particularly useful over heat pumps and are more reliable than the existing solar heating system.
Dead Spa Blower
After Lachlan tested the spa blower, it became clear that it had failed. The air line was broken and the unit itself wasn’t responding during testing. Given the age of the unit, we explained to the customer that replacement is usually the most practical and economical option.
What Was Working Well
Importantly, the equipment inspection found that not everything needed attention. The pump and filter were both operating well, and the solar controller was functioning correctly- it was just the temperature sensor that required mounting correctly.
Confirming what is working is just as important as identifying what isn’t, as it provides a clear baseline for the system and helps prioritise where time and money should be spent. It also gives confidence that the core components are performing as they should, allowing focus to remain on the areas that genuinely require attention.
A Clear Plan Moving Forward
After speaking with the client about the findings of the equipment inspection, the aim was to get the system back to a reliable baseline. The immediate priorities were:
- Repairing the dosing system
- Correcting the solar temperature sensor installation
- Investigating the return lines for potential leaks
- Replacing the spa air blower
- Restoring operation of the gas heater
The client raised the idea of upgrading to a more automated setup after the necessary repairs and replacements were made. Lachlan discussed a Halo automation system with him and he showed strong interest in the convenience of app control and ability to manage all equipment in one place.
Benefits of an Equipment Inspection
This equipment inspection highlights something we see quite often. Pools rarely develop one major problem overnight. Instead, it’s usually a series of small issues that build up over time. A temporary repair that was never revisited, a worn component that hasn’t been checked, or a system that isn’t quite operating as intended.
Our equipment inspections are designed to ensure that your pool and its systems are operating at peak efficiency and safety. Whether you’re a new, existing or prospective pool owner, our thorough inspection process provides peace of mind and expert recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
Without a structured equipment inspection, these can easily go unnoticed. Taking the time to properly assess the whole system allows problems to be identified early before they become costly problems or safety hazards. Contact My Pool Shop Melbourne to book in your equipment inspection, “Because everybody deserves a safe and healthy pool”.
