When it comes to home maintenance, there are some tasks you can handle on your own and some that require the expertise of a professional. The same is true when it comes to repairing swimming pool issues.
Take a closer look at which tasks you may be able to tackle on your own and which require a pro.
Pool Repairs for Liner Damage
If your swimming pool has a vinyl liner, routinely inspecting it will help you identify tears, holes, and other types of damage. You’ll need to repair a torn liner as soon as you find it to avoid future issues.
DIY Liner Repairs
When the vinyl liner in your pool becomes damaged above the water line, you can temporarily patch the area. Use a damp cloth to clean the vinyl surface and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
If you don’t have a vinyl pool patch kit, you can seal the tear with clear, waterproof duct tape. Either option will provide a temporary seal, but you will eventually have to replace the pool liner.
If you have a vinyl, canvas, or mesh pool cover, you can patch a tear in the cover with a pool cover patch kit. These kits typically include self-adhesive material that will bond with the cover. This temporary fix can give you time to replace the pool cover.
When to Get Professional Liner Repairs
Patching a vinyl liner below the water line is a little different. Since this requires guarding against air bubbles, you might need a professional pool care company to seal the tear. In some cases, they can patch the tear without draining the pool water. Underwater repairs require leaving the area undisturbed for a 48-hour period.
Pool Repairs for Concrete Surfaces
Over time, your concrete pool will need repairs around the fittings, plumbing, and accessories. This might happen as the soil surrounding your in-ground pool shifts.
DIY Concrete Repairs
You can temporarily seal these gaps until your next swimming pool inspection. Purchase a special caulk that’s intended for underwater use and apply it to gaps that form around fittings and underwater lighting fixtures. Use this caulk for concrete pool repairs around the skimmers and jets as well.
When Should You Call a Pro?
When it comes to concrete pool surfaces, you’ll want to avoid trying to fix plumbing leaks and mechanical issues on your own. Beyond visible leaks, there might also be underground leaks that will require professional pool repairs. A pro will likely need to excavate the area around the pool to find the source of the leak.
Once they find the leak, they may need to replace damaged seals or pipes. While this is a more complex repair process, it helps prevent extensive damage to your pool. Scheduling these repairs as soon as you suspect a problem will also help you conserve water and prevent unnecessary waste.
Pool Repairs for Skimmers and Lines
Leaves, paper scraps, and other types of debris can clog your pool’s intake and outtake lines when you don’t provide regular maintenance. Your skimmer and lines could encounter issues as a result.
DIY Water Line and Skimmer Repairs
If the lines get clogged, you can clear them by attaching a bladder, such as the Drain King, to your garden hose. Use this setup to flush the debris from your intake and outtake lines.
You can use the Drain King’s high-pressure bladder system to clear out your pool’s skimmer as well. Make sure to turn off the pool pump before starting this type of maintenance, and verify that all other valves are off as well.
This will force all of the water to go to the skimmer. Take the cover off of the skimmer, and push the Drain King into the intake line until you feel resistance.
At this point, you’re ready to turn the hose to its highest setting. Watch the skimmer box for a large clump of debris to pop up as you flush the line. You can follow the same procedure in clearing a clog in the main drain line.
Is It Time to Call an Expert?
If these steps don’t clear the clogs in your lines, you’ll need to call your pool care company. Similarly, you’ll need professional pool repairs if a clogged line has caused the pool pump to overheat. In that case, you might need to replace the pump or components in the pool’s filtration system.
When You Need Pool Repairs, We Can Help
Calm Waters Pool Services can handle all of your swimming pool maintenance and repair needs, both big and small. We’ll provide an honest estimate, and you can trust that our repairs will exceed your expectations for quality and durability. To get started, schedule our repair services today!
