The first truly warm day in Pennsylvania hits differently. You throw open the back door, ready to pull the cover off your pool and officially declare summer open. But what if the water level has dropped mysteriously, the plaster has a new, ugly crack, or the pump groans like it’s waking from a long winter’s nap?
A swimming pool is the heart of your backyard oasis, an investment in your home and lifestyle. When it’s running perfectly, it’s pure joy. When it’s not, it can be a major source of stress. For homeowners, understanding what a new swimming pool costs is a key part of protecting that investment.
This guide is here to help. We’ll walk you through the clear and subtle signs that your pool needs professional attention. You’ll learn to distinguish between a simple DIY fix and a problem that requires calling in an expert swimming pool repair service. Protecting your investment starts with knowing what to look for.
Obvious Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
Some pool problems are impossible to miss. They scream for immediate attention, and ignoring them can lead to more extensive and costly damage. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to pick up the phone.
Cracks in the Pool Structure
A crack in your pool is more than a cosmetic issue. While tiny spiderweb cracks in the plaster (known as crazing) can be normal, larger, deeper cracks are one of the more serious common issues with concrete pools and a major concern.
- What to look for: Any crack you can fit a credit card into, or cracks that seem to be growing.
- Why it’s serious: Structural cracks cause significant water loss, which can destabilize the ground around your pool, leading to potential damage to your pool deck or patio and even your home’s foundation. This isn’t just a pool problem; it’s a property problem. Attempting to patch a structural crack without professional help is a temporary fix at best. A specialist needs to diagnose the cause to ensure a lasting swimming pool repair.
Malfunctioning Equipment
Your pool’s equipment pad is its command center. The pump, filter, and heater work together to keep your water clean, clear, and comfortable. When one component fails, the whole system suffers.
Listen to your equipment. Strange noises are often the first sign of trouble.
- Grinding or screaming from the pump motor: This often indicates worn-out bearings. Running it can cause the motor to cease completely.
- Loud humming: The motor may be struggling to start, pointing to an electrical issue.
- Visible leaks: Water dripping from the pump, filter, or heater is a clear sign a seal or gasket has failed.
This is a job for a professional. It is critical to follow professional electrical safety guidelines, as water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and a faulty heater can pose a serious safety risk.
Sudden or Persistent Water Loss
Does it feel like you’re constantly adding water to your pool? While some water loss from evaporation and splashing is normal during a hot Pennsylvania summer, a sudden drop is a major red flag.
You can perform a simple ‘bucket test’ to check for leaks to confirm your suspicion. Place a bucket on your pool step and fill it with pool water to match the water level outside the bucket. After 24 hours, compare the levels. If the pool water level has dropped significantly more than the water in the bucket, you likely have a leak. Finding the source of a leak in plumbing that runs underground requires a specialized swimming pool repair service with sophisticated detection equipment.
Subtle Clues That Signal a Need for Swimming Pool Repair
Not all pool problems are dramatic. Some are subtle, creeping up slowly until they become major issues. Catching these early can save you a significant amount of money and frustration.
Cloudy or Green Water That Won’t Clear Up
Every pool owner has battled a bit of cloudy water. Often, it’s a simple matter of chemical imbalance that a good shock treatment can fix. However, if your water remains stubbornly murky or green despite your best efforts, it points to a deeper problem, often a sign of improper disinfection that can affect swimmer health.
This could mean your filter isn’t working effectively. It might be an issue with sand that needs changing, a damaged cartridge, or a more serious internal filter problem. It could also signal a circulation issue, where the pump isn’t powerful enough to move water through the system properly. If your chemistry is balanced but your water isn’t clear, it’s time for a professional diagnosis.
Peeling or Chipping Plaster
Run your hand along the surface of your pool. Does it feel rough or sandy? If you see areas where the plaster is flaking, chipping, or bubbling up (a problem called spalling), your pool’s finish is failing. This isn’t just ugly. Rough surfaces can scrape swimmers’ feet and create a breeding ground for stubborn algae that is difficult to remove. For many homeowners, this becomes an opportunity for giving your aging pool a fresh new look.
Ineffective Skimmers or Returns
Your skimmers and returns are essential for water circulation. Skimmers pull surface debris into the filter, and returns push clean water back into the pool. If you notice that debris is just swirling around instead of being pulled into the skimmer, or the jets from the returns feel weak, you have a circulation problem. This might be a simple clog in the skimmer basket, but if that’s clear, it could mean a blockage deep in the plumbing lines or a failing pump. These are issues that go beyond routine cleaning and into the realm of essential pool maintenance best practices.
To DIY or Not to DIY? A Swimming Pool Repair Checklist
Knowing when to tackle a job yourself and when to call for backup is key. Here’s a simple chart to help you decide.
| Issue | DIY Potential | When to Call a Professional Swimming Pool Repair Service |
| Cloudy Water | High: Test and balance chemicals first. Check filter pressure and backwash or clean the cartridge. | If water doesn’t clear in 24-48 hours despite your efforts. This could indicate a major filter or pump issue. |
| Simple Clogged Skimmer | High: Turn off the pump and empty the skimmer and pump baskets. | If you can’t clear the clog or if suction doesn’t improve. The blockage may be deeper in the plumbing. |
| Leaking Pump | Low: Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. | Immediately. Pump seal failures can damage the motor quickly, leading to a much more expensive replacement. |
| Non-working Heater | Very Low: Involves gas lines or complex electrical components. | Always. This is a safety issue. Never attempt to repair a swimming pool heater yourself. |
| Small Surface Crack | Medium: Small epoxy patch kits are available for minor cosmetic cracks. | For any crack wider than a credit card, longer than a few inches, or if you’re losing water. |
| Replacing a Light Bulb | Medium: If you’re comfortable turning off all power at the breaker first. | If the light housing is cracked, filled with water, or if you’re unsure about the electrical work. |
Why Pennsylvania Pool Owners Trust FS Landscaping Contractors
At FS Landscaping Contractors, we design and build stunning backyard retreats across Pennsylvania, and we invite you to view our portfolio of backyard retreats to see the quality of our work. We understand that a pool is an integral part of a larger, cohesive outdoor living space. Our expertise isn’t just in creating beautiful pools; it’s in understanding the entire ecosystem of your backyard.
We know the unique challenges the Pennsylvania climate presents. The freeze-thaw cycles can be particularly tough on pool structures, plumbing, and surrounding hard scapes. Our deep local experience means we don’t just fix the symptom; we provide durable solutions designed to withstand our specific weather patterns. When you need to repair your swimming pool, you need a team that sees the whole picture.
Don’t Wait: The Financial Impact of Delayed Pool Repairs
Putting off a pool repair might seem like a way to save money in the short term, but it almost always costs more in the long run.
Think of it this way: a small, slow leak is like a tiny hole in your wallet, constantly draining cash through inflated water bills and wasted chemicals. A struggling pump motor has to work harder, drawing more electricity and driving up your utility bills. A structural crack that isn’t addressed can lead to massive damage to the landscape around the pool—turning a straightforward pool repair into a full-scale backyard renovation.
According to industry experts, an undetected leak the size of a pinhole can waste over 100,000 gallons of water in a single year. That’s a cost you can’t afford to ignore.
Your Partner in Pool Perfection
Your swimming pool should be a source of relaxation, not a list of worries. By paying attention to the signs—from the loud and obvious to the quiet and subtle—you can catch problems early. Knowing when to handle it yourself and when to call a professional swimming pool repair service is the most powerful tool you have for protecting your investment.
Ready to get your Pennsylvania pool back in pristine condition? Don’t let a small problem become a major headache. Request a professional assessment from the experts at FS Landscaping Contractors today for a comprehensive assessment and reliable swimming pool repair. We’re here to ensure your backyard oasis is ready for years of enjoyment.
