FAQ's

Pools

How do I take a pool water sample?

• Make sure your water has been circulating for 48 hours
• Get at least a 12 oz sample of water from your deep end, from a depth of between 12-18 inches.
• Store your water sample in a clear container such as a zip lock bag.
• Bring your sample to Rix within a few hours. Allowing the sample to heat up in the car can result in an inaccurate reading.

My pool filter pressure is too high, what should I do?

Generally when the pressure on a filter system is more than 5lbs. greater than the normal operating pressure and the flow of water out of the pool return is diminished, it is an indication that there is something obstructing the water after the pump. Most often it is an indication that the filter element needs to be cleaned.

If you've cleaned your filter and the pressure remains high, then you're looking for an obstruction in a return line. Have you removed all of the winterizing plugs? Are all of your valves opened properly? If you've checked all of this and there's still no improvement, it may be time to call for service.

My filter pressure is too low, what should I do?

Generally when the pressure on a filter system is more than 5lbs. lower than the normal operating pressure, and the flow of water out of the pool returns is diminished, it is an indication that there is something obstructing the water before the pump. Most often it is an indication that your skimmer or pump baskets need to be emptied or cleaned.

If there is no improvement after these steps, check the skimmers and make sure the door is not stuck and be certain that winterizing plugs are out of the skimmers. Another cause of low filter pressure is a clogged impeller. Check your owner's manual for instructions on how to access and clean the impeller. If these steps do not do the trick, you may have an obstruction in the skimmer line or at a valve. At this time you should call for service.

My pool heater is not working. Help!

First and foremost, check the owner's manual for your swimming pool heater. The manual often times has a trouble shooting guide. Remember that the pool pump and filtration system has to be operating for the pool heater to be running. Also check your fuel supply. If you are on natural gas, are all of the valves in the open position? If you are on propane gas, is your tank full and is the valve turned on? If the valves were turned off for the winter or for re-fueling propane, then you may need to bleed the gas line.

Pool heaters are equipped with safety devices that will prevent them from operating under certain conditions. Frequently it's a matter of the heater not having a sufficient flow of water and the pressure switch or hi-limit switch has disabled the system. Check the pressure reading on your filter tank. If it's too high or too low then correct that condition as recommended. Make sure that any heater by-pass valves, if your system has them, have not been shut.

Many pool heaters have free standing pilots. If your heater has a free standing pilot, then check to see if the pilot is lit. If it is not, then follow the manufacturer's procedure for lighting the pilot.

Many of the newer digital heaters have a separate power switch located on the control panel, or on the side of the heater. If you have no read out on the LED display, then check to see that the power switch is in the "on" position.

It may be that the heater is not operating because it has reached the set temperature. Try turning the thermostat dial to a warmer setting. You should hear the thermostat "click", and the heater should try to ignite. If not, it may be that you have a faulty thermostat.

If you've tried these trouble shooting steps and still can't get your pool heater to operate, then it's time to call for service.

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