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Q. Why does my spa take so long to heat?

A. First, low gas volume is often the cause of heater inefficiency. Check the size of your gas meter. It should at least equal the size of your heater. The number on the meter is the amount of gas it will provide to burn a number of B.T.U.’s. Your utility company will normally resize your meter at no charge. Secondly, if the gas piping is too small or the heater has been hooked up with a corrugated flem pipe, the gas flow can be too low. If either of these conditions has been allowed to exist over time, a layer of soot may have coated the heat exchanger. The soot acts as an insulator, slowing the transfer of heat to the water. Finally, in windy conditions, your heater may need a down draft protector to allow the heater to work efficiently.

Q. Why do I hear or see water dripping from inside my heater?

A. This is usually attributed to the heat exchangers leaking. The exchangers are made from copper and the metal is relatively soft. The two chief reasons for the leaking is, one: the circulation pump is too powerful. If the speed of the water in your system exceeds 8 feet per second, it will strip the copper. Many pool construction companies have installed pumps that are way too large, thinking bigger is better. The second problem improper chemical balance. If your pool Ph is too low, i.e. having added too much acid, the water will eat the copper. If you see blue stains on your pool walls and steps, this is an indication of these problems and the stain is the copper from the heater.

Q. Why won’t my heater fire?

A. There are many components in a heater, any one of which can fail. Most often, the heater won’t fire because of lack of sufficient water flow through it. This may be due to full leaf baskets, clogged pump impellers, or dirty filters.

Q: How do I make my pool/spa heater more efficient?

A. The pool heater, if used on a regular basis, needs to be cleaned every spring. If used occasionally, the heater should be cleaned every three years (depending on weather). A severe winter will require more frequent cleaning. A dirty filter can reduce heating efficiency by 50% or more.

Q. Why is my pump making a funny noise?

A. When a pump cannot obtain the amount of water it requires, it creates a condition we call cavitation. The first thing to check is that the water level in the pool is correct; at a point half way up the opening of the skimmer. Secondly, check that the flapper inside the skimmer throat is not stuck in the up position. This impedes water flow into the skimmer, allowing more air into the system. The third thing to check is to make sure the leaf baskets are empty.

Suction leaks can also cause a noisy pump or cause it to lose prime. The repair for this can be as simple as replacing the o-ring on the pump lid to major re-plumbing if the leak is under your decking.

Q: Do you do repairs and equipment replacement?

A. Yes. We do repairs and equipment replacement for heaters, lights, timers, motors, filters, and top of the line controllers.

Q: What signs should I look for to make sure that my pool/spa equipment runs efficiently?

A. You should look for these indicators: high water flow, low noise level from your pool equipment, and no algae growth.

Q: Do you provide warranty on equipment that you repaired or replaced?

Yes. We will do all warranty work for customers.

Q: Do you do plumbing that connects to the pool/spa equipment?

A. Yes. The efficiency of a pool system can be improved significantly by a clean and simple plumbing system.

Q: As a customer, is it safe for me to do my own electrical troubleshooting?

A. No. We absolutely do not recommend it. You could cause unforeseen damages to your home.

Q: What type of chemicals do you use to balance the water in my pool/spa?

A. We use sanitizer (chlorine), acid, sodium bicarbonate to balance your pool water chemistry.

Q: What do you recommend for pool/spa readiness in the spring time?

A. Filter cleaning, heater cleaning, chlorine stabilizer, and pool sweep tune up are essential to get your pool in shape for the swimming season.

Q. Why is my pool/spa water cloudy?

A. Several things can cause a pool to lose its clarity – inadequate water circulation, chemical imbalance, poor filtration, low sanitizer levels or lack of oxidation.

Q. Can algae really hurt my pool/spa?

A. Yes! If left unchecked, algae can grow in free-floating patches or cling to pool walls. Not only can algae clog filters, it eventually can cause pool surface damage and impact swimmers’ health.

Q. Why does my pool/spa have a strong chlorine smell?

A. You may be improperly administering chemicals, which is costly and can prove harmful to eyes and skin.

Q. Can I experiment with chemicals till I get the water quality I want?

A. NEVER experiment! Improper measuring and mixing of chemicals – whether diluted or concentrated – can create both unwanted reactions and potential health hazards. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions with special attention to safety gear, clean up and storage.

Q. What is RWI?

A. RWI stands for recreational water illnesses that are caused by bacteria found in water, such as pools and spas. RWI usually involves diarrhea-type illnesses, but also can cause skin rash and ear, eye or respiratory infections. Pool and spa water requires proper chemical treatment to lessen the incidence of RWI. Also, people should avoid swallowing pool water and not swim while sick.

Contact AOK Pool & Spa Services for additional guidance on these and other pool care issues.