How To Order The Right Pool Parts

First, if you want to make the repairs yourself, you need to find a pool company that is willing give you advice and is willing to work with you troubleshooting what parts need replacing, plus give you some tips on making the repair.

There are two types of pool companies that sell pool parts. Some specialize in residential pools, others specialize in commercial pool repairs. For the most part, the pools have completely different equipment and different problems. If you have a residential pool, you should contact a company that specializes in these pools. The same goes with commercial pools. In either case, if the company specializes in one or the other, you will receive much better help in that they will be more familiar with your equipment. The company will also be in a better position to recommend new equipment if the piece in question isn't worth, or can't be repaired.

For the commercial pools, a good share of the facilities have hired a maintenance person to make repairs. They might work on HVAC equipment, kitchen equipment, laundry, rooms and pool equipment. Finding a pool company that will help these facilities work through their problems, and aid in ordering the correct pool parts is critical. Commercial pools can't afford downtime in most situations. Most owners of the facilities will frown on hiring service companies to make repairs, especially if the maintenance person has the time and inclination to work on the pool equipment. Some commercial pool parts may be the same as residential, but for the most part, residential pools and commercial pools use different equipment, thus they require different pool parts.

Next you need to determine if you are capable, or up to, making the pool repairs. Some equipment is not easy to work on, or in some cases it could be dangerous such as working on electrical or gas equipment. You will need to have the manufacturer and part number for the piece of equipment you are repairing. Without this, your pool rep will be guessing and could easily send out the wrong pool parts.

Your pool company should be willing and able to help you order the correct parts. A good pool company will have a parts catalog and/or a web site with parts listings. It is very difficult to order pool pump, pool heater and pool filter parts and if you don't have the terminology, it is much easier to order the correct parts when you are looking at an exploded parts diagram of your pool equipment. Like they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

In most cases, you do not need the serial number when ordering parts. Most pool companies don't have a list of serial numbers. Thus it is of little value when ordering new pool equipment or pool parts.

Never use a petroleum product on gaskets such as Vaseline. Petroleum products will ruin the gaskets. Always use a lubricant made specifically for pool repairs so they won't harm the O-rings and gaskets.

If you are ordering parts for your pool heater you will need the make and model number. For most heaters, you should find a name plate inside the front panel/door of the heater. Most heaters have a nameplate inside this compartment. The heater types are: gas or electric. With gas you have either natural gas or LP gas. Then gas heaters are either electronic with spark ignition or millivolt with a pilot light.

To order parts for your pool pump you will need the make and model number off the pump end. If you need pump parts, not a motor, you should find a nameplate on the pump piece right near where the pump connects to the motor. If you need to order a motor, call your pool company and give them the horse power, voltage, phase and frame. This information should be listed on the motor tag.

For pool filter parts, you should be able to find the manufacturer and model number tag on the shell of the filter. If you need valve parts, the model number will be on the valve.

For pool lights, you will need to turn the power off to the light. Most lights have one top screw that you can take out to remove the light. You should be able to reach the light from the pool deck. Lights should have just enough extra cord to pull the light up onto the deck. The make and model number for the light is imprinted on the outside of the stainless steel canister.

In review:

-When ordering pool parts, find a vendor that not only can send you the parts, but help you figure out what's wrong with the piece of pool equipment. The vendor should be helpful with the repairs and make you feel comfortable that you are ordering the right parts.

-Question any pool company that wants to send more than one part for the repair, especially on heaters. For example, the heat exchanger (tube bundle) might be leaking. You don't have to replace the heat exchanger and headers at the same time. Just replace the heat exchanger. But always replace gaskets and seals when you pull a piece of equipment apart.

-Before you work on a piece of pool equipment, make sure you turn off the following: power and/or gas to all pool equipment.