Signs Your Pool Heater Needs to Be Repaired
As the temperatures cool down, you may be tempted to hop in your pool, but odds are the water is chilly. If you have a pool heater, turning it on may heat the water, allowing you to comfortably swim in your pool during the cooler months.
Unfortunately, after sitting unused for months, the pool heater can develop problems. Here are a few of the top signs that your pool heater needs to be repaired.
The pool heater has rust or corrosion
When your pool heater is exposed to a range of weather conditions and temperatures, it can begin to rust or corrode. Newer heaters are often coated to prevent this issue, but as they age, the coating wears off, which can lead to rust and corrosion.
Both rust and corrosion can weaken or eat through the metal pieces that make up your pool heater. Therefore, it is important to have the rust and corrosion removed promptly. A professional should be called in to remove rust and corrosion from all parts of the heater, including those you cannot see, and to treat the metal so that this issue will not continue.
You see damaged wires
When it gets cold outside, pests begin to look for somewhere warm and dry. Smaller pests may be able to climb into your pool heater. Unfortunately, many pests chew through or damage the wires as they build their nests. After the winter, open up your pool heater and take a look inside.
If you see damaged wires, you need to call in a professional to do heater repair. You should never attempt to repair electrical wiring on a pool heater yourself. The heater is constantly exposed to water, so any mistakes can lead to a variety of problems, including electrocution.
Water is leaking out of the pool heater
The high temperatures during summer—as well as your pool heater sitting unused for some time— might lead to damage. And if you aren’t using your pool heater regularly, chances are you won’t notice an issue until you try to turn your pool heater on for the first time.
When you first turn on your pool water heater, check the heater and the pipes for signs of leaks. If you notice any water dripping or a puddle forming under the water heater, shut the unit off and call in a professional. Not every crack can be repaired. If the crack is large, your pool water heater may need to be replaced, rather than repaired.
The heater isn't heating your pool
The last sign that your pool water heater needs repair is when the heater is not heating up. If you notice the water heater is not heating up, you need to ensure that your heater is connected to a power source if it is electric or that the pilot light is lit if it is gas.
If the heater has a power source and is not heating up, you should call in a professional pool heating repair company. There are several reasons why a heater may not heat pool water, including a damaged heating element, a blown motor, or problems with the condenser. A professional can troubleshoot the unit, determine why it is not heating the water and make the repairs that are needed.