Can an automatic pool cleaner (a polaris) cause a leak?

Clharris20

I have an inground fiberglass pool and have been loosing about an inch of water a day. I read other answers and tried the bucket test and also marked the side of the pool with electrical tape to track.
I have noticed that my polaris has been shooting quite a bit of water out of the pool via splashing or getting stuck but the problem only began about a week and a half ago and I have had a polaris for years.
I completely shut the polaris off one morning before work just to test that theory. When I came home at the end of the day, the water level was fine! Then I turned the polaris on and after about an hour of running, the level dropped about a quarter of an inch.
I know water always flows through the polaris piping but could the surge in pressure after turning the polaris motor cause a minor crack to begin leaking?

Side note: my main drain line at the bottom of the pool has either clogged or collapsed but that has been the case for about a year and the pool has always looked crystal clear and maintained good water levels.
Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Answer
If the pool only leaks when the polaris pump is running it, it is almost certainly a break in the pipe between the booster pump and the pool. When the pump is running there is a lot mor pressure in the pipe so it will leak a lot quicker.
A leak detection company should be able to pin point where the leak is, and then a pool company can dig it up and fix it.

Look for wet soil in garden beds, etc. with the pump running.
Palm trees are the biggest culprit in breaking pool pipes.

How do you open an inground pool????

Q. We bought a house in January. We have never owned a pool. The water is black. Is that normal?? How do we treat it successfully?? PLease help I dont want to have to pay the pool company 500 to open it. Thanx a bunch
Ok apparently I p.issed someone off cuz I put this in the marriage divorce category But I thought that since alot of married ppl have pools this would be the best place to ask.

Answer
Well black water is not normal unless the pool plaster is black. Most pools have white plaster. Just FYI the sparkling blue water you see in your pool is actually the blue sky reflecting on the white plaster. Okay steps to open a pool.
1. If it has a cover on it take it off.
2. Locate your cleaning equipment ie: hoses, leaf rake, skimmer net, pool vacuum, pole(s).
3. Locate the skimmers (in pool deck) and make sure they are free of leaves and debris. They should have removable baskets in them.
4. If you have a lot of leaves in the bottom of the pool you will need to take your leaf rake (which is actually a net) and start getting the leaves out of the pool. Get out as many as you can.
5. Now you will need to see if the pool pump is working. Turn it on and see if water is coming into the pump and back into the pool at the "jets" located on the side of the pool.
6. I would try to get as much of the cleaning done with the sand that you have in your filter now. If the water flow is poor you will need to backflush the filter to get all of the large debris out of the sand. This is done by turning or pulling a large valve that will reroute the water to an outlet usually connected to a hose that you will run out to the yard or street. There should be a small clear PVC area that you can look at as the water comes out. It will be very dirty at first then it will clear up somewhat. After backflushing turn or move valve back. This should improve water flow going back to the pool.
7. Now you can hook up your manual vacuum to one of the skimmers. Make sure that the basket stays in the skimmer and place a vacuum plate over the skimmer basket so that the leaves you vacuum up don't actually go into the return lines to the filter. If you have 2 skimmers I would recommend plugging off the second skimmer so you have all of your suction going to the vacuum skimmer. If you can also shut off the main drain at the bottom of the pool. There usually is a valve that you can turn that will allow water to return to the filter by the skimmers or the main drain or both. Just turn that valve off to the main drain.
8. Now you can turn on the pump and you should be able to start vacuuming the pool. It will vacuum strong for a short while but then the suction will start to lessen. This is notifying you that you need to backflush to filter again and check the skimmer basket. Backflush and continue on.
9. Just be aware that as you start to vacuum the pool and if there is a lot of dirt in the pool it will become very cloudy and you will be unable to see the bottom where you have vacuumed. At this point you can keep going on the best you can or you can stop, disconnect and unplug the skimmers and let the water circulate for awhile (few hrs) and let the cloudiness settle. Then you can start up vacuuming again.
10. This will get the pool clean eventually and it will take some time. It will not happen overnight.
11. After or when you are pretty close to having the pool cleaned you will need to go to your local pool supplier and get a water test kit and the chemicals to help get your pool within the proper pH. You will probably have to shock it several times. Your local pool supplier will be able to help you on this part.
12. If you have the pool clean and you are still seeing a lot of black or green stuff on the plaster you probably have algea. Green is okay, black is bad. Again your local supplier will be able to help you with that.
13. Change the sand in the filter. This should be done every other season.
14. Invest in an automatic pool cleaner. I highly recommend Polaris. They have 2 types that will work in any pool.
15. If you have a pool company do your chemical treatments DO NOT USE GAS CHLORINE!! That stuff is highly acidic and will eventually destroy your plaster finish on the pool. Not to mention you really shouldn't swim in the pool for at least 3 days after treatment.

Well I'm sure this is long enough for you to read. If you have any questions feel free to email me or contact me on 360. I have had a pool now for 11 yrs including 2 major leaks, 3 pool pumps, many automatic cleaners etc. If I can help you let me know.

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Maintenance on an inground pool?

Em

I have never owned an inground pool and am looking to purchase a home that has one. However, I don't know anything about how much money, trouble, and effort it takes to keep one up, as far as maintenance. Please give me a clue...?

Answer
Keeping water in it helps, you also need to keep the water stabilized, proper PH, chlorine level, acidity etc. You will need to clean the filter or replace the media, which ever the case maybe, every 2-6 weeks or so depending on usage, if its screened in etc. It will also need to be vacuumed or you will have to get an automatic pool cleaner (which requires maintenance of its own). And eventually you will need to resurface your pool or deck, repair tile, replace your pool pump and filter, repair broken return or intake lines, repair the lighting. If you live in a climate where if freezes you will have to winterize your pool, whatever that entails. You also have to deal with homeowners insurance rules and local laws concerning safety fences, alarms and other things, I am sure I am forgetting something.

I don't mean to scare you....it's pretty easy to do most of these things, I spend about 1.5 hours a week at the most on my pool, and it is affordable if you do it yourself. If you don't want to do the weekly maintenance yourself get a pool service, in my area of Florida it is about $15-$20 a week and they check all of the water quality perimeters and add the appropriate chemicals (that you supply) and vacuum.

best swimming pool cleaner?

Jim L

Answer
when you say Cleaner do you mean sanitizer for your water, such as Chlorine, Bromine, or Softswim/Baquacil (essentially the same product) Or do you mean Automatic cleaner for your pool for leaves and sand etc etc?

You need to be a little more specific......


Either way... Any of the above chemicals is proven and tested to be effective in cleaning your water and keeping it safe, in coordination with your pool pump and filter naturally..

As for a automatic cleaner.... there are many of them on the market, some are really busts, while some are effective, and actually do a good job. If you have an inground pool, i would say without a doubt that the best cleaner would be the Polaris automatic pool cleaner. IT only takes 1-2 hours a day to effectively clean your pool, and keep it clear of everything. There were many pools i would never have to vac out when i serviced them because of this cleaner.

As for an above ground pool, you are pretty much limited to different types of cleaners that are usually electric in nature, and are just thrown into the pool and when you plug them in, they go around and around and clean the pool...

If you are asking for a cleaner in regards to tile, Most of the major chemical suppliers for swimming pools make chemical cleaners for the tile, and the pool in general that will not harm the water or the balance of the water.

Again... without your question being more specific, i dont know if there is anything else i can help you with.

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What is the best automatic inground pool cleaner? What brand and price?

Francaise

Its a vinyl inground pool. Rectangular 18x36. Also budget is an issue, I am looking at spending $500 or less.

Answer
After 25 years of hearing how great floor head systems are, I have come to a conclusion. If your pool would have stayed looking nice with any cleaning system in your pool, it will stay nice with a floor head system.
If you plan on owning a pool for 5-6 years, or longer, in my opinion the best cleaning system(Dollar for Dollar) is a Polaris 280 with a booster pump and a separate time clock. The reasons are as follows:
1.)Low cost of repairs. I have clients with Polaris 180âs that are 25 years old. (The 280 has the same drive system.) Total repair costs in 25 years are less than $300.00 total (Not counting bag replacements.) I Personally, have owned a Polaris 280 for almost 5 years and have not spent a dime. (other than on 2 bags, and one of them was torn by my kids, and the other by a big pine cone. )

2.)It will clean most pools spotless in 10-20 minutes per day. You have seen our (5) 40â plus Ponderosa pines that overhang our pool area. Not counting steps and love seat, if we keep the bag cleaned, the floor stays spotless.

3.)Initial installation costs should be in the $1400.00-1600.00 range. Floor head systems are usually about double the initial expense. Also, the motor for the cleaning system is usually a 2 H.P. or larger, and the pool needs to run for substantially greater times to even get close to what a Polaris will do in ½ hour or less. Also, if you are not the initial purchaser of the system, you will not get a lifetime warrantee. Replacement gear systems, floor heads, ⦠can average more than $200.00 per year after the first 2 year, not to mention if the cleaner is not working correctly, i.e. heads jammed in the up position, actuator gears jammed, ⦠you are running that large motor with absolutely no cleaning going on. Any way you look at it, running a ¾ H.P. booster motor for 20-30 minutes is going to be a lot cheaper than running a 2 H.P. for 3-4 hours. Add into this that most motors run for more than 2 hours per day seem to have a life span in the 5-6 year range, and that a 2 H.P. motor is about double the cost, I cannot see spending the money.

4.)Suction side cleaners have a lower initial cost, but are annoying because either they will not pick up sticks, twigs, small rocks, ⦠or they will, and then they will completely stop working until you spend 10 minutes pulling them out and cleaning the debris out of them. Some of these will end up needing replacement parts just because of punctured diaphragms, ⦠This is in addition to an average annual repair cost of about $200-250, after the first year or two. In less than 5 years(More likely 3 years), if you add in electricity savings, pool cleanliness and thus chemical costs savings, and electrical savings, you have more than paid for the Polaris. If you add to this the fact that, if you have a suction side cleaner, you will have had to bring it in to the shop at least 4-5 times, having a non-functional cleaning system, thus a horridly dirty pool at least 4-5 times, the fact that often it dies a slow death each time so your pool doesnât look right for months prior to each rebuilding, and the repeated hassles of needing to unplug the system when ever any ârealâ debris ends up in the pool, and I wonât have anything else in my pool, or my families pools. To summarize, If you are buying a cleaner and are selling the home quickly, I would probably go with a pool Vac(if there are no rocks, sticks, big leaves, ⦠In other words, dirt only, but your annual repair costs will be high) or a Kreepy Krauley if you have anything else(Or want 40% less repair costs than the Pool Vac).

5.)Floor heads, or suction cleaners destroy the natural water flow around the pool which is responsible for moving the debris around to the skimmer on the surface, and for moving silt, and dirt to the main drain. Therefore, the surface areas of both sides of the pool(If the cleaners are functioning properly) will be an average of 20-40% dirtier than the same pool with a pool vac, return lines properly adjusted, and approximately ¾ of the suction of the pool going to the main drain. Also, since almost all of the suction for a suction side cleaner is directed to the cleaner, and thatâs run through an extra 30 feet or so of corrugated hose, the water flow is greatly reduced, and to get the same water filtration you will need to run that system approximately 25% -30% longer than a system without a suction cleaner. Thatâs 1 ¾ hrs longer running a 1 H.P. motor than is needed to run the ¾ H.P booster. Also, as a suction cleaner picks up debris, assuming it doesnât get plugged up and stop functioning all together, the baskets will fill up and all the suction to the pool will decrease or stop. There are times during the year where about 60% of the repair work I do is related to suction cleaning systems picking up too much debris. Note: This is never covered under any warrantee.

There is more that I could add, but I am too tired to do so now. Installation is as follows:

What's the best automatic pool cleaner?

Laura T

I need an automatic pool cleaner, what's my best choise for no more than $200

Answer
From past experience and I assume this is an inground vinyl pool, Kreepy Krauly offers the best bang for the buck and you ought to be able to find one on sale around your budget.They're pretty bullet proof and do a good job.
If this is an in ground concrete pool, you'll need to budget a little more. Kreepy will work, but you'll run through pleats if your finish is rough.
If this is an above ground, something like a Polaris 65 would fit your budget and do a good job for that type of pool.

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Does the baracuda g3 inground pool cleaner work?

automatic pool cleaner for inground pools image

DisneyFrea

I'm looking for an automatic pool cleaner to save time, does this cleaner work? It normally retails for around $400 and it is on sale for $200. Is it worth the money?

Answer
They work. The only thing I'm not fond of on any of the Barracuda's is the diaphragm that is part of it's propulsion system. They tend to wear out and require replacement on a yearly basis. Barracuda used to offer that part as a free warranty one, dunno if they still do.
I'm more of a Kreepy Krauly fan myself, they're a bit more robust and do the same job but if you're getting a G3 for 200 bucks, that's a steal.

How do i use the manual pool cleaner for my inground pool?

Aimee

How should i set the skimmer/pool drain valves? Should i turn off the pool drain and have all the water being sucked from one skimmer? or keep both skimmers sucking in water and leave the drain off?

Our automatic pool cleaner is not working correctly and i have never had to manually clean the pool before :-/

Answer
Skimmer/drain valve to all skimmer and then all suction to only one skimmer. This provides the maximum possible suction for the pool vac. If that turns out to be so much suction that it is hard to push the vac across the pool floor, then adjust the valve to allow a little suction at the other skimmer.

There isn't really a standard design for in ground pools - they have different configurations of drains, skimmers, pumps, filters. You find what works for yours and go with that.

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Does the baracuda g3 inground pool cleaner work?

automatic pool cleaner for inground pools image

DisneyFrea

I'm looking for an automatic pool cleaner to save time, does this cleaner work? It normally retails for around $400 and it is on sale for $200. Is it worth the money?

Answer
They work. The only thing I'm not fond of on any of the Barracuda's is the diaphragm that is part of it's propulsion system. They tend to wear out and require replacement on a yearly basis. Barracuda used to offer that part as a free warranty one, dunno if they still do.
I'm more of a Kreepy Krauly fan myself, they're a bit more robust and do the same job but if you're getting a G3 for 200 bucks, that's a steal.

How do i use the manual pool cleaner for my inground pool?

Aimee

How should i set the skimmer/pool drain valves? Should i turn off the pool drain and have all the water being sucked from one skimmer? or keep both skimmers sucking in water and leave the drain off?

Our automatic pool cleaner is not working correctly and i have never had to manually clean the pool before :-/

Answer
Skimmer/drain valve to all skimmer and then all suction to only one skimmer. This provides the maximum possible suction for the pool vac. If that turns out to be so much suction that it is hard to push the vac across the pool floor, then adjust the valve to allow a little suction at the other skimmer.

There isn't really a standard design for in ground pools - they have different configurations of drains, skimmers, pumps, filters. You find what works for yours and go with that.

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Does a pool pump need to run 24/7 when you have it opened?

automatic pool cleaner for inground pools image

waterfan09

I recently moved to a new place that has an inground pool. It has 25,000 gallons of water and an automatic pool cleaner.

Answer
I turn mine off at night - I don't see the practicality of running it when you're not enjoying it! I DO leave it running all day, however. :)

How do I keep my automatic pool cleaner from getting caught on the steps?

Matthew

we have an in ground pool with a kreepy krauly automatic cleaner. It works great, but it is continually getting caught at the corner of the steps. How can I keep this from happening? does it have something to do with the weights? The type of Kreepy that we have is the Pentair K70406 Kreepy Krauly Classic Inground Automatic Suction Pool cleaner.
Thanks

Answer
the weight probably pulls it down

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