Summers are the perfect time for taking a dip in your pool or spa or just hanging around and enjoying the days. But your fun could be cut short if you need any pool electrical services.
Underwater electrical fixtures can be dangerous to anyone in or near the water, making it essential to get them fixed as soon as possible. Whether you have faulty lighting or pump problems, it’s essential to know the warning signs that your pool or spa has electrical issues. Once you know what to look for, you can get your pool tuned up and keep using it throughout the end of summer and early fall months.
This article will explore the signs your pool and hot tub electrical equipment needs maintenance.
The short answer is yes. In-ground pools are comprised of various electrical components, including lights, pumps, and heaters. These components are exposed to forces that can damage them, like people, weather, debris, or the water itself. If a pool or spa isn’t adequately maintained, it can easily develop electrical system problems.
Any submerged electrical equipment can potentially harm people in or near them. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t track fatal pool electrocutions, a faulty component can impair or injure swimmers.
Here are several signs why you may need pool or spa electrical services or maintenance.
If you’re hearing loud noises, like grinding or whining from your pool or spa, it’s likely the ball bearings in the pump’s motor that are causing issues. The pump is responsible for constantly circulating water, and if there is air in your pipes, it can cause the pump to overheat the seal, pipes, or the bearings themselves. Eventually, your motor can damage its bearings or seal and destroy itself, as well as destroy your pool's pipes if it’s not fixed.
Burned-out underwater light bulbs are a common problem. The light may be old, the fixture could be loose, or water could be leaking into the fixture through a worn-out lens gasket. Or, even worse, you could have a problem with the outlet’s wiring, or your circuit breaker could be bad. Swimming without light can be dangerous, and problems with your circuit or a leak could lead to even more damage.
If you smell any odors from your pool, it can indicate an underlying problem that your pool or health is at risk. The typical “pool smell” isn’t just chlorine but is the smell of chloramines. Chloramines can form in pools once the chlorine combines with sweat, urine, and sunscreen, leaving less to kill harmful bacteria. Fortunately, this problem can be remedied by super-chlorinating your pool for several hours.
But if you notice a burning smell in or near your pool, it can indicate a motor is drawing in the air and running without moving any of the water. You’ll want to check the water level and the pump to see if it’s drawing air. If the air isn’t removed, your pump motor can damage other parts of the pool.
Our team of electricians works across central Ohio, including Marion, Delaware, Upper Sandusky, Kenton, and Mt. Vernon. We work on commercial, industrial, and residential properties for troubleshooting, upgrading, and installation. Since 1975, we’ve provided reliable, expert service that our clients can trust. Cogburn Electric started as helping friends, an approach we still bring to every job after almost five decades in business. We provide the dependable, safe electric service your home or business needs.
Contact our team for a consultation and a quote for whatever you need, whether it’s upgrading a panel, installing an industrial backup generator, or upgrading or checking your pool and hot tub electrical equipment.