Further Pool Concerns

The pool in the backyard continues to raise concerns but it now seems everything will turn out OK.  The problems are to do with the newly fitted pump and some of the controls on the Chlorinator.

The pool is losing 'prime' which means there is a leak somewhere in the 'system' with air being sucked in after the new pump has been installed, especially when the pump is not running.  When the pump restarts, there is a pile of bubbles come up as the water from the filter/chlorinator re enters the pool.

The pool filtration system has a rarely used handle which directs where water is to flow.  Usually the flow is from the pool, the chlorinator and then through the cartridge filter and back to the pool.  By turning a handle, flow can be redirected to any overflow point via a connected hose.  I have used this once during the 10 or so years of having the pool.

When the new pool pump was installed the redirecting handle and valve were re installed into the new pool plumbing setup. In the photo you can see the small section of pipe onto which you attach a large hose to drain some water from the pool if required.  If you look closely you can see some water sitting in the pipe.  The seal inside the re divert handle has a slight leak and this is what is causing the system to suck in air.

A new handle costs $47, to have someone come and remove the handle and re plumb a section of pipe is $66 per hour.

My solution will be to buy a plastic cap and glue it over the open pipe.  This will successfully seal any air leak.  I will buy a 40mm cap from the pool shop and borrow some glue overnight to fix the cap securely.  I plan to do this after 4pm today and give the glue a perfect opportunity to dry and fully seal overnight.

There is a press button on the chlorinator control to adjust the amount of chlorine being made back into the pool.  It has been stuck on 100% for the last week, the push button making no difference no matter how many times you press it.  I did notice a spot of moisture behind the screen when the indicator lights are.

The pool guy thought most likely it was a problem with the 'top' control board in the chlorinator control box, a replacement control board is around $145.  Last night while fiddling about with the press buttons, suddenly the chlorinator output control was fully operating again!  I guess some slight spot of moisture it may have had has dried out and now the controls are again working.

So from going from $66 to have the pool filter pump piping re done and another $145 to have the top board replaced, the cost will now be $1 for a 400mm cap and the free use of some glue.  I am happy with that.

Currently the pool temp is hovering around 30° after a warm day in the sun.  Most days the air temperature is around the same if not a little warmer.  I am bike riding again though I took a morning off recently to 'bottle' the latest brew! The warmer weather means I am usually well and truly on my way by 6:30 am.

Arj and Kate are back at work again in Saudi. 

Arj's latest blog post on his trip back to Australia and how things are going back in Saudi is HERE.