Is Your Pool Heater or Pump Leaking from the Bottom? It Could be the Drain Plug O-Ring - Easy Fix!


If you find water leaking in your equipment area you may think you have a major problem. I get called often for leaks around the equipment area and in a lot of cases it is simply the Winterizing Plug in the pool heater or sometimes in the pool pump. These plugs are used to drain the heater or pump in regions where it gets freezing temperatures to avoid equipment damage. But in most areas we never drain our heater or pump and the tiny o-ring in the plug never gets serviced.



I just received a call this month where the customer turned his pool off due to a major leak by the equipment. When I turned on the equipment I saw the drip leak coming from the heater at the plug. When the pool is running for hours a pretty large puddle can form, especially if it is on a cement pad. This can also happen at the pump but is easier to spot since many times the pump will not prime. Air will be sucked in through the plug area and prevent the pump from priming. To fix this leak all you need to do is replace the small o-ring on the threaded part of the plug.

My supplier carries a universal o-ring that works for most heaters and pumps. Here is the part number for SCP and Superior: ALA-601-4724 for AMP/EZC/JAC/PAC/POL/STA 0-39-9 O-RING

Here it is on Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2pgU3Bi

You can also find it in your local pool store, probably for less then the price online.

One way to prevent this is to inspect the plug o-ring every season if you live in an area like mine where we never remove the plug. Over time the chemicals in the water will wear out the o-ring and a drip leak will start. Or just change it out when you see a leak forming. One of the first things I look for when I get to an equipment pad with any type of a leak is the drain plugs. It is a much more common source of a leak then any other part, save for the pump discharge from the top of the pool pump. Over time even a drip leak can cause the pool water level to drop, so addressing the problem in a timely manner is important. It really does no harm to the equipment but it can appear to be a major leak in some cases.

So if you go out to your equipment area and see a puddle of water, I suggest looking at these plugs carefully to see it that is the source of the leak. It is a very easy thing to fix and check so I would start at the plug first.








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swimming Pool Tips, Reviews & How To Video Index (List) Alphabetical order

I have over 900 videos on my YouTube Channel: Swimming Pool Tips and How-To - so I have compiled an Index for you to help you find a video on a topic that you are having an issue with or want to learn more about. I hope this helps you find the information you will need to keep your pool looking sparkling every week. Website:  http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/ Coaching Site:  https://poolguycoaching.com/ Podcast Site:  https://www.thepoolguypodcastshow.com/ eBook:  https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook Listen to my weekly Podcast: Podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pool-guy-show-podcast/id1257613192 Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Imhdwnal25iyl4c2yfceih2ni4y Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/4vBthPxqaNIAlw4LFVB2m3 A Above Ground Pool Care & Maintenance - The Ultimate Guide: https://youtu.be/j-hlTRSC0Fk ACID Magic User Friendly Muriatic Acid Alternative with 90% Less Fu
Read more

Can I Use Clorox Bleach in my Pool?

Image
Regular Unscented Bleach I started doing pool service when I was 16 years old back in 1988. I took a break from the industry and did some Real Estate Investing and ran a small business for awhile. But I always loved working outdoors and so I decided to do pool service again. So I have about 15 years of practical experience in the field. My specialty has always been water chemistry as I was formally trained by an experts in the field. So I am well versed in most of the chemicals that are on the market today and I have used and tested a lot of different products. So when you hear those in the industry discourage and even slander anyone who uses bleach in their pool, you may think that it is not a product that you should use. In fact as you read this article you will find that using bleach and only bleach is a safe and smart choice. There is a lot of ignorance surrounding household bleach and the use of bleach in a swimming pool. Here is a video I made that goes in more detail on usin
Read more

Mr. Pen Non-contact Voltage Meter - Don't Get Electrocuted!

Image
One of the biggest issues you will run into with anything connected to an AC power is if that device or equipment is receiving power. In the pool service industry, this often is the case when you find that a pool pump won’t turn on. Or if a pool timer doesn't on, is it receiving power? Also for repairs with so many breakers being unmarked, how do you know you turned off the right breaker. Bottom line, a non-contact detector like the Mr. Pen is an easy way to see if power is going to the equipment/device and the line is active. A non-contact voltage detector is just that. You don’t need to make contact with the line like with a Multimeter. Plus you don’t need to adjust any settings or knobs to get a voltage reading. Simply hold the Mr. Pen over a cord or wire whip and if there is AC power a red light will turn on and an audible beep will come out of the device. A very easy way to tell if power or a current is present.  To order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092LFYTG5?&_encoding=UT
Read more