Results for "DIY pool repair"

Winterizing Medium 1-3 hours 248 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Finally got a chance to inspect my pool cover after last week's brutal storm, and it's completely shredded with way more damage than I originally spotted. The cover has sustained various types of damage over multiple seasons, including what appears to be small punctures, deteriorated fastening points, and compromised attachment mechanisms.

Specifically, I'm dealing with minor tears in the cover material, several broken grommets around the perimeter, and worn securing straps that no longer maintain proper tension. Before investing in a new cover system, I want to understand which of these damage types can be effectively repaired and what repair methodologies are available for different cover materials and hardware components.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours 347 👍 0

Can Pool Liners Be Repaired? Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Last time I checked my vinyl pool liner there were several small tears scattered across the surface, but my pool store is pushing a thousands-dollar full replacement. They're making it sound like repairs never work and will just cause more problems down the line - classic upselling tactics.

Before I get taken to the cleaners again (like I do every time I walk into that place), can these small holes actually be patched reliably? I'm talking maybe 1-2 inch tears, nothing massive. Is this something I can tackle myself with the pool still full, or am I looking at draining everything and calling in the pros? Just want an honest answer about what actually works versus what makes them the most money.…more

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Heaters Medium 2-4 hours for assessment, varies for repairs 194 👍 0

Can Pool Heaters Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Pulled three quotes ranging from $600-$900 to fix my 8-year-old gas pool heater that won't heat and wondering if I can DIY this myself. The pilot lights but water temp barely rises. Not sure if it's the thermostat, heat exchanger, or something else.

Is it worth getting it repaired at this age? What kind of problems can actually be fixed vs when you should just buy new? Don't want to throw money at repairs if replacement makes more sense.…more

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Leaks Medium 45 minutes 631 👍 16

Can Pool Jets Leak? Diagnosis & Repair Guide

I turned to a second opinion after my pool contractor quoted $3,000 to replumb my entire return system when I suspect these leaking jets might just need a simple repair. I keep losing water and can't pinpoint where it's going. The jets seem like the obvious suspect since they're these openings in the wall, but I honestly have no clue how they're put together or what could go wrong with them.

Is it even possible for the actual jets to leak? And if so, where would the leak typically happen - like around the edges where they meet the pool wall, or somewhere else entirely?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 45 minutes 279 👍 0

Do I Need a New Pool Pump? Signs & Replacement Guide

Spent three hours getting completely different advice about my 9-year-old pool pump—neighbor says it just needs cleaning, pool store wants to sell me a replacement, and YouTube's giving me five conflicting solutions. It's making some grinding noises when it starts up, and I noticed a small puddle of water forming near the motor housing after it runs. The pump still seems to be circulating water and maintaining decent flow, but I'm worried these issues might get worse.

I got a quote from a local pool service company and they said repairs would cost around $350, while a new comparable pump would run about $600-700 installed. The pump has been reliable overall, but I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and replace it now, or if these are minor issues that are worth fixing. What are the key signs that indicate it's time for a full replacement rather than trying to repair an aging pump?…more

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Salt Water Medium 5-10 days with mail-in service 534 👍 0

Can Pool Salt Cells Be Rebuilt? Complete Repair Guide

Woke up to a dead salt cell again — thing works flawlessly when it's under 85 degrees but won't generate a drop of chlorine once we hit the 90s. A local pool tech mentioned that these cells can sometimes be rebuilt by replacing the internal titanium plates, which would cost significantly less than buying a brand new unit.

I'm worried about whether a rebuilt cell would be as reliable and safe for my kids as a new one. The housing on our current cell looks fine, no cracks or damage that I can see. Has anyone had experience with rebuilding salt cells? I want to make sure we're not compromising water quality or safety just to save money. What should I consider before deciding between rebuilding versus replacing entirely?…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for inspection, varies for repair 250 👍 0

Can Pool Lights Leak? Detection & Repair Guide 2026

Wondering if I should be concerned about water pooling around the light fixture in this rental's inground pool since I've never dealt with pool lights before. My pool has been losing water steadily for months now, and I've checked everything I can think of - the skimmer, return lines, you name it. But I just noticed the water level seems to drop more when the pool light is on, and there's some discoloration around the light fixture.

Is it actually possible for pool lights to leak? I never even considered this could be the source of my problem. If they can leak, what parts typically fail and how much water are we talking about? I'm really hoping this might finally be the answer to my water loss mystery!…more

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Above Ground Medium 1-2 hours plus curing time 902 👍 0

How to Patch Pool Liners: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Staring at my pool liner that somehow went from a tiny tear to a massive gushing hole after following a YouTube patch tutorial. I've seen those vinyl patch kits at the pool store but honestly have no idea how they work or if they actually hold up.

The hole isn't huge - maybe about the size of a quarter - but I'm worried it's going to get bigger if I don't do something soon. Do I need to drain the whole pool to patch it properly, or can I somehow fix it with water still in there? Really hoping I don't have to deal with refilling and rebalancing all my chemicals again!…more

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Leaks Medium 30 minutes to 2 hours 284 👍 0

Can Pool Leaks Be Fixed? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Got a pool that keeps losing water with exposed equipment around the edges — is this dangerous with kids constantly playing in the yard? I've tried those DIY leak detection methods I found online but honestly can't tell if it's the liner, the plumbing, or something else entirely.

Before I throw in the towel and call it quits on pool ownership, I need to know - can pool leaks actually be fixed for good? I don't want some temporary band-aid solution that'll fail again next season. Are there reliable repair methods that will solve this nightmare once and for all, or am I just fooling myself thinking this can be permanently resolved?…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours 334 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Hydrostatic Valve? Detection & Repair

According to my pool's behavior, the water level started dropping steadily yesterday even though nobody's been swimming, and now I'm wondering if the hydrostatic valve is leaking. The water level drops consistently even when the pool isn't in use, and I've already ruled out obvious surface leaks around the skimmers, returns, and visible plumbing.

From my understanding, hydrostatic valves are designed to prevent the pool shell from floating during high groundwater conditions, but I'm wondering if they can work in reverse - allowing pool water to escape when groundwater levels are low or if the valve mechanism fails. The water loss seems to correlate with our recent dry spell, which has me questioning whether the valve could be stuck open or damaged.

Is it technically feasible for a hydrostatic valve to cause pool water leakage, and if so, what specific failure modes should I be looking for during inspection?…more

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 253 👍 0

How to Clean Pool Filters: Complete DIY Cleaning Guide

Replaced my pool filter cartridge but now I'm standing in the pool supply store aisle staring at all these cleaning products with no clue which ones I actually need. I've got a cartridge filter system and I'm honestly not sure how often I should be cleaning them or what the actual process looks like.

I keep seeing conflicting info online - some people say weekly, others say monthly. And I have no clue if I'm supposed to just spray them off or if there's more involved. Would love some straightforward guidance on timing and the actual steps so I don't mess anything up!…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for DIY repairs 318 👍 0

Can Fiberglass Pools Leak? Yes - Here's How to Fix It

Looked like just a minor water drop in my fiberglass pool last month but now it's become a massive leak draining faster than any evaporation. I've heard people say fiberglass pools don't leak like other types, but that can't be true, right?

I'm wondering if there are common spots where fiberglass pools develop leaks? I'm hoping this is something that can actually be fixed without having to tear the whole thing apart. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a solution that actually works?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours for replacement 346 👍 0

How Long Should a Pool Pump Last? Lifespan & Replacement Guide

Got a weird grinding noise from my pool pump last month but now it's barely pushing any water through the system!
My current pump is about 6 years old and still running fine, but I'm wondering when I should start budgeting for a replacement.

I've heard different things from pool store guys - some say 5-6 years, others say they can go way longer. Mine's been pretty reliable so far, but I'd rather not get caught off guard. Are there any warning signs I should watch for that mean it's time to start shopping around? And does it matter if I upgrade to one of those variable speed pumps everyone talks about?…more

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Above Ground Easy 2-4 hours 345 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Liner Pad? Above Ground Pool Guide

Since setting up my new 24-foot Intex above ground pool, I can't figure out if the liner pad is actually necessary or just another upsell. The pool company keeps pushing this liner pad thing on me, saying it's "essential" - but is it really? I've already blown through way more money than I budgeted for this project.

I'm hoping someone can give me the straight truth here. Will skipping the liner pad come back to bite me later? I'd rather spend the money upfront if it actually protects my investment, but I don't want to get taken for a ride on unnecessary add-ons either.…more

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Leaks Easy 45 minutes (including cure time: 1-2 hours) 6 👍 0

J-B Weld WaterWeld on Leaking Pool PVC Joint

During the estimate call, my pool guy quoted me close to $200 to cut out and re-plumb a leaking glued PVC joint right at my pump — and honestly that feels steep for what looks like a tiny weeping drip. I picked up a stick of J-B Weld WaterWeld (the 8277 epoxy putty) at Home Depot for about nine bucks, and I'm wondering if I can just knead it up and pack it around that joint myself instead of paying someone else to do it.

My main questions are: will this stuff actually hold against the water pressure a pool pump puts out, and do I need to completely shut the system down and dry the pipe before applying it? I know it says 'cures underwater' on the package, but I want to make sure I'm not just wasting my time with a fix that'll blow off the minute I fire the pump back up.

Is this a real repair I can count on, or am I just buying myself a little time before I have to do the full re-glue job anyway? Happy to do the proper fix eventually, but if this buys me a season I'm all for it.…more

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