Pool equipment is sturdy and built to last, but if exposed to certain conditions, equipment can be damaged causing a big headache, and an even bigger expense. Learn how to identify and address potential issues proactively to avoid unnecessary equipment failure.
Many of these mistakes can be easily avoided by simply knowing the havoc they can cause. Neglect and letting problems fester, ultimately becoming larger, are the two most dangerous factors. Our hope is that with this knowledge, you will be armed with information to prevent these potential issues from ever occurring or be empowered to correct the mistake if you realize it has happened at your facility.
Do not store muriatic acid used to balance pH levels in the same room as pump equipment or unprotected metal structures. If not contained properly, muriatic acid creates vapor off gas fumes which are not only hazardous but can corrode metal. Acid fumes will attack and corrode most any metal in their vicinity, including the structure of a facility, exterior of equipment (pumps, motors, etc.), and other metals in the room. If corrosion takes over, there is not much that can be done after the fact to fix damage to metal surfaces on equipment.
Proper storage of muriatic acid requires it to be kept in a dedicated chemical room with proper ventilation or vapor containment. This room must have a vent pushing the vapor outside using an exhaust fan to safely dissipate any fumes. The canister must also be fully sealed to ensure fumes are not allowed to escape. Muriatic acid fumes present a health and safety risk as fumes can escape without an odor as fumes may build up and remain airborne in the room they are being stored.
It’s easy to ignore or procrastinate fixing a small drip in piping, but over time, this leak can create stress fractures that worsen over time. What one day starts as a drip can quickly turn into a steady stream and ultimately become pipe failure.
Address minor leaks and drips right away to avoid risk of flooding the mechanical room and damaging equipment. While leaks aren’t common, it’s important to fix them on your own terms instead of waiting until they become a major and costly plumbing issue.
When balancing the water chemistry, avoid making numerous changes all at one time. Adding calcium, adjusting alkalinity, and introducing other chemicals at the same time, or even within the same 24-hour span, could result in an unexpected reaction causing an unnecessary imbalance that now requires additional effort to address.
Stage changes and plan ahead as much as possible. By adding one chemical at a time and giving each some time to balance, you can see how the water responds. Slow down and be methodical when balancing water chemistry. This could help avoid making a costly mistake, especially if operating a large pool that requires a significant dose of chemicals to regain its balance.
Avoid shortcuts at all costs. Shortcuts, like dosing chemical shut-down, neglecting preventative maintenance, and glossing over minor repairs will never be the cost-effective option in the long run and will eventually lead to larger, more expensive, not to mention critical, issues.
By taking a systemic approach to preventative maintenance and building a daily routine and habits centered around equipment health checks, you can prevent future headaches and equipment failure. Every facility has its own unique personality; pay attention to it so you don’t miss early warning signals. Take a few months to learn each piece of equipment and really master what the equipment does, any quirks that it has, and what it needs to operate at full strength.
Adding another tool to your toolbox, this blog will help you build a culture that’s proactive, aware, and trained to identify maintenance issues and address them quickly. By instilling and reinforcing these principles, you will be taking a preventative approach to maintenance throughout your mechanical room and facility overall, maximizing your investment in your equipment.
