Colley's pools and Spas -serving Buffalo, WNY and North-Western Pennsylvania

Trouble Shooting Your Pool!

Chlorinator

Filter Problems

Heater Problems

Chlorinator

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Low or No Chlorine	Heavy use-warm water	Shock pool weekly during heavy use times
	Bacteria Trying to Form	Shock pool weekly during heavy use times
	Flow Control Set to Low	Turn Dial to Higher Setting
	Not enough solid chlorine	Add 4 sticks to each skimmer

Chlorinator

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Low or No Chlorine	Heavy use-warm water	Shock pool weekly during heavy use times
	Bacteria Trying to Form	Shock pool weekly during heavy use times
	Flow Control Set to Low	Turn Dial to Higher Setting
	Not enough solid chlorine	Add 4 sticks to each skimmer
	Clogged chlorinator	Call service 716-649-7640
Too High Chlorine	Too Many Sticks in Chlorinator	Turn Dial to Lower Setting or Reduce Sticks
Too High Chlorine	Automatic cover not allowing oxidation	Open auto-cover more often or leave cover open for longer periods of time
Lid Blows Off	Too much back pressure	Call service 716-649-7640
Lid Blows Off	High Pressure on Filter	Bypass Chlorinator

Filter Problems

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
High Pressure on Gauge	Bad gauge	Check gauge by shutting off the pump. If pressure does not drop, replace gauge.
	Filter needs cleaned	Sand-change sand or chemically clean
		Cartridge-Remove, Chemically Soak, & Spray Filters
		Call Service for a Sand Change or to Professionally Clean Your Cartridges.
	Blocked Return Line or restriction in heater	Call Service 716-649-7640
Continuous High Pressure	Paramount Gears Stuck or some other restriction on return line side	Call Service 716-649-7640
Low Pressure on Gauge	Bad gauge	Replace gauge
Sand in Pool Combined w/ Low Pressure	Broken laterals	Call service 716-649-7640
Backwash or Waste Line Has a Leak	Multiport or Jandy Valve is Bad	Call Service 716-649-7640
Cloudy Water	Most likely chemical imbalance	Visit our retail store location for a free water analysis.
Cloudy Water	Dirty Filter Media or low pressure	Clean or Replace, check water flow. Call Service 716-649-7640.
Water Leaking from Bottom of Filter	Pinhole in Filter or drain plug	Call Service 716-649-7640
No Circulation	Brass or plastic Valves Not Open	Make sure valves are open or replace. Call Service 716-649-7640
No Circulation	Multiport or Jandy Valve in Wrong Position	Check settings on both valves.

Heater Problems

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
LOW PRESSURE	Water pressure related problem or blown fuse.	Clean filter and all baskets.
		Do a backpressure test. Check fuse. If fuse is blown, check for short circuits in the control wiring.
		Call Service 716-649-7640
HI LIM SW	Low water flow problem. High limit(s) open.	Replace limit(s), do a Temperature Rise Test.Call Service 716-649-7640
EXT.SW.1	Fusible Link or Exhaust Temp. Limit Switch open. Too much heat in the cabinet (Fusible Link) or flue (Exhaust Temp. Limit Switch).	Fusible Link open: check for soot heat exchanger, low gas pressure, down draft condition and/or water flow problem. Do a Gas Pressure Test and Temperature Rise Test. Exhaust Temp Limit Switch: check for blockage of vent. Call Service 716-649-7640
AIR FLOW SW	Insufficient vacuum to close the air pressure switch.	Make certain the fan is running. Check the air hose from the fan to the Air Pressure Switch for holes and kinks. If the fan never switches to high speed replace the Ignition Control. Call Service 716-649-7640
AGS	Automatic Gas Shutdown simply means the Ignition Control did not sense flame rectification.	Make certain all gas cocks are open, and there is sufficient gas pressure and volume (gas line sized properly). If the heater fires and then the flame goes out quickly, it indicates the rectification signal is not returning to the Ignition Control. Check for poor or missing ground wire. Call Service 716-649-7640
TEMP SENSOR	Water temperature sensor open or shorted. The sensor is a 10 K Ohms thermostat. A sensor failure may indicate poor water chemistry.	Carefully test the water, concentrating on Total Alkalinity and ph. Call Service 716-649-7640
FL1	Temperature sensor error	Call service 716-649-7640
FL2	No Ignition or No Flame	Call Service 716-649-7640
FL3	Flame sensor error	Call service 716-649-7640
FL4	Igniter failure	Call service 716-649-7640
FL5	Brownout condition	Call service 716-649-7640
FL6	Power control failure	Call service 716-649-7640
FL7	Remote operation circuit	Call service 716-649-7640
Water Coming from Bottom of Heater	Most likely bad heat exchanger	Call service 716-649-7640
No Display	Bad transformer	Call service 716-649-7640
No Display	No Electric to Heater	Call Service 716-649-7640
Slow to Heat Up	Normal Temp. Rise =1◦ an 1 hr. Bypass valve stuck Call Service 716-649-7640
Heater Cycles Off & On	Low water level	Raise pool water level
	Wind causing down draft	Call service 716-649-7640
	Set point temp. Too low	Raise temp.
Black Smoke	Low gas pressure	Call service 716-649-7640
	Low propane	Call propane supply
	Not Enough Air Flow to Heater Water may not be flowing through heater	Clean Debris or Mulch from Base of Heater Shut off pump and call service
Melted Pipes Coming Out of Heater	Heater Was Not Turned Off Prior to pump shutting off	Call Service 716-649-7640
Heater Doesn't Light	Low gas pressure / no gas / Bad switch	Turn red valve in gas line
Heater Doesn't Light	Low gas pressure / no gas / Bad switch	Call Propane Supplier - Call Service 716-649-7640

Liner Problems

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Liner Coming out of Top	Out of Bead Receiver	Tuck Back In-Needs to Be Warm
Liner Side Look Like Pillow	Water Behind the Liner	Check Sump Pit. Call Service to Reset 716-649-7640
Star Shaped Wrinkle in Shallow End	Water has been under liner Bad PH Levels	Call Renovations 716-649-7640 to Reset Liner
1/2 Moon Wrinkle Around Returns & Diagonal on Side Walls	Liner has Floated & Shifted	Call Renovations 716-649-7640 to Reset Liner
Discoloration Below Water Line	Chemical imbalance	Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Call renovations 716-649-7640 for a re-liner estimate.
3' Wide Stripes of Discoloration	Faulty liner print	Call renovations 716-649-7640 for an evaluation.
Dark Brown Color at Water Line	Body Oils and Lotions Adhering to Sidewall	Scrub Liner with Martins Vinyl Cleaner available in Colley's Retail stores
	Iron Stain on Liner	Call Renovations 716-649-7640 for a re-liner estimate.
Hole in Liner	Punctured by _______?	Patch w/ Vinyl Repair Kit. Call Leak Detection for a Dive & Patch Repair.
Separated at Seam	Pool weld	Call renovations 716-649-7640 for an evaluation.
Turquoise Color on Side Walls	Copper in Water	Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Chemically treat the water for copper.
Liner has Welts on Sidewalls	Poor water chemistry	Visit a retail store location for a free water analysis. Call service 716-649-7640 for a re-liner estimate.

Pool Lights

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Light Won't Come On	Gfi tripped	Press reset
	Faulty switch	Call electrician
	Bad bulb	Replace bulb. Available at our retail store locations.
	Water level too low	Light must be submersed
	Breaker in Main Panel Tripped	Call Electrician
Water In Light	Bad fixture seal	Replace fixture. Call service 716-649-7640
Light is Dim	Too Many Appliances on Circuit	Unplug Some Appliances
SAM Light Doesn't Change Color	Bad color motor	Call service 716-649-7640

Pool Water Leaks

If you are adding over 1/4" a day, it is considered excessive water loss.

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Excessive Air in Pump	Crack/ Hole in Suction Line / Air leak at Pump	Call Leak Detection 716-649-7640
Wet Area Around Pool	Crack in Return Line or Liner	Call Leak Detection 716-649-7640
Wet Area Around Equipment	Hole in Pipes, Filter, or Liner	Call Leak Detection 716-649-7640
Wet Area Around Backwash Line End	Bad Multiport or Jandy Valve	Call Service 716-649-7640
Soft Spot on Liner	Hole in Liner	Patch Liner
Rust Spot on Sidewall of Liner	Hole in Liner	Patch Liner
Pool Looses More Water While Running Than Not	Hole in Return Line	Call Leak Detection 716-649-7640
Pool Looses Same Amt Off or On	Hole in liner	Place red dye around all return fittings inside pool to locate leak
Sump Pit Has Excessive Water Consistently	Surface Water Getting in Backfill / Possible leak in pool	Check Drainage Away. Check Downspouts or Other Water Getting to the Pool / Call Leak Detection 716-649-7640
Pool is 2ft. (+/-) Low in Spring	Auto-Cover Was Not kept Pumped Off / Possible leak or pool was not full while cover was pumping off
Pool Looses 2" of Water in 24 hrs.	Hydrostatic Valve in Main Drain Stuck Open / Pool may have large leak	Clean Hydrostat. Call Service for Diver.

Pump Priming -Sand Filters

Place multi-port valve handle on "Recirculate"
Close all ball valves. Remove strainer lid and fill the pump pot housing with water. Replace the lid.
Start motor and open one ball valve until pump primes -then open other ball valves slowly. If pump does not prime in four minutes, turn off power and repeat steps.

When the pump is primed, turn power off, change multi-port valve to filter position and turn power back on.
Pump Pot Basket -This is located in the front of the pump (motor) and should be kept clean of debris. Be sure that the o-ring on your pump basket lid is properly seated to insure no air leaks into you system.

Pump Priming - Cartridge Filters

Close all ball valves and remove the lid to the strainer pot.
Fill the strainer pot with water and replace the lid
Open the air relief valve at the top of the filter.
Turn the power on.
Fully open the ball valve at the main drain. Watch the water hit inside of the strainer pot.
Slowly open another ball valve. If as you are opening a valve, the water level drops in the strainer pot, close the ball valve and wait until the strainer pot fills with water again.
Repeat this procedure until all the ball valves are open and water is flowing through the strainer pot normally.
Tighten the air relief valve on the filter top, when the air dwindles and water starts to spray.

Pump Problems

Symptom	Possible Problem	Recommendation
Pump Won't Prime	Water level low	Raise the pool water level to 2/3 up the skimmer.
	Air Leak in Threaded Fittings Before Pump	Re-Teflon all threaded fittings.
	Pump lid not tight	Tighten lid
	Drain Plugs in Pump Loose	Check O-Rings on Plugs & Tighten
	Pump Lid Cracked or Bad Gasket	Replace Lid or Gasket
	Large Nuts on Red Handled Valves Loose	Tighten Nuts on Red Handled Valves
	Skimmer Basket Full of Debris	Clean all Baskets (use Skim-Vac plate when sweeping)
	Crack in pump housing	Replace housing -call service 716-649-7640
Pump Shuts Itself Off	Auto Shut-Off senses a problem	Replace Motor
Pressure is fine with one valve open, but is low or has air with two	2nd line has an air leak or 2nd line is cracked.	Call service 716-649-7640
Leak in the Middle of the Pump	Bad seal assembly	Call service 716-649-7640
Leak in the Middle of the Pump	Threaded outlet fitting loose	Re-Teflon and re-plumb.
Pump Feels Hot	Normally are too warm to touch
	Air Vents on Bottom Side of Motor Blocked	Check Air Vents
	Low Voltage to Pump	Have Electrician Check Voltage at Motor
	Dryer Vent Exhausting on Top of Motor	Check for Dryer Vent Location, Move Motor Away & Into Shade.
Pump Won't Turn On	GFI Tripped or Bad	Turn GFI Off and Try to Reset
	Breaker in the Main Panel Tripped or Bad	Go to Main Panel and Reset
	Bad pump switch	Replace pump switch
	Bad starter capacitor	Call service 716-649-7640
	Bad Wiring in The Motor	Call an Electrician.
Pump Won't Turn Off	Bad switch	Replace switch.
GFI Trips when I Turn Pump On	Too many things plugged into that circuit. Loose wires or short in motor	Remove all external appliances from the pump circuit.
Not Enough Pressure from the Pump on the Filter Pressure Gauge	Clogged impeller	Remove the pump basket and clean out debris
	Dirty filters	Clean filters
Water Comes 1/2 Way Up Pump Pot Then Goes Back Down	Low pool water	Raise water level
Water Comes 1/2 Way Up Pump Pot Then Goes Back Down	Skimmer weir sticking	Change weir in skimmer