My favorite brand of baskets is the Val Pak brand. Available for a variety of skimmers and pumps, these baskets are more than 3x the thickness of a standard basket. Not only are they really tuff and hold up for years, the built in molded handles won't break, or pop out like the handles of cheap baskets. 

Another great benefit of the Val Pak skimmer baskets like the one Im showing in this post, is the weight on the bottom. Cheap baskets have little, to no weight to hold them down, so they float up when ever the pump isn't running. It's not uncommon for people, or pool professionals to add small rocks to weigh the baskets down, or even twist tie fishing sinkers [small lead weights] to the bottom of a basket to keep it from floating up. When baskets float, it allows leaves and other debris to get under the basket, or the basket can get turned upside down, making the skimmer useless. Val Pak stays put whether the pump is running or not. It's an awesome product and well worth the money.

Under normal conditions, the plaster (white) is exposed to the water (blue), which is bonded to the gunite substrate, or concrete (speckled), which in turn rests on dirt (tan).

Sometimes, an air cavity (a bond failure) can form between the gunite and the plaster, or between multiple layers of plaster. This is referred to as “delamination” and the cavity is referred to as a “void.” As long as the void is not connected to the surface of the plaster, the fact that the void even exists may not be known. Unless the plaster completely breaks free from the surrounding plaster, creating what is referred to as a “pop–off,” or unless the delamination is extensive, this is not considered by the plaster industry to be a defect.

In some cases, however, the void is connected to the surface by a small pinhole or hairline crack. Pinholes and cracks are often created from structural flexing of the delaminated plaster. 

Gradually, water from the pool penetrates the void via the hole or crack, and creates a localized chemistry environment completely separate from the water balance in the pool. As calcium hydroxide, from the plaster itself, bleeds into the void water, it creates a calcium–rich, high pH solution like a little “calcium/pH factory” beneath the plaster surface. The pinhole or crack is not of sufficient size to create a rinsing effect like that which occurs at a new plaster surface.

Calcium–rich void water and the pool waters natural alkalinity, come into contact with each other at the plaster surface, then react with each other, which results in the production of an insoluble calcium carbonate by-product. This insoluble calcium carbonate can build up a “slag pile” around the exit point, thus forming a nodule.

It is important to keep in mind that nodules are a symptom, rather than the disease itself. The disease is bond failure, cracking or some other imperfection in the plaster from the pour, so acid washing them does not fix the problem. I have removed the build up to eliminate the chance of someone cutting their foot on the sharp slag, but the spot where the the top layer of plaster delaminated remains.  

It is always a good idea to keep your yard clean when you have a pool. Dead leaves, flowers and loose trash [like styrofoam and plastic bags] lying on the ground will get into the pool when the wind kicks up. Debris like this will clog baskets and suction side cleaners, effectively stopping your pools ability to circulate water and keep itself clean. All debris when there is enough of it can cause problems, but flowers, like those from the Bogenvia bush, a lilac, or trumpet flowers for example, are like paper pulp when wet. Keeping Bogenvia bushes from getting too big will help a lot to control debris when it flowers. A small amount of these flowers can line a basket, clog the holes and effect water circulation. One plastic bag from a grocery store, or a sheet of newspaper can cause a loss of water circulation and shut a suction side cleaner down. 

Even if your yard is spotless, remember that your pools cleaning system can easily be effected by a neighbours tree, or a city tree adjacent to your property. You should always check the baskets after a storm if you are able, even if you pay for pool service. I visit my accounts once per week and a lot can happen in just a few hours when a wind storm comes through. Trimming trees like Palms for example when they have dead fronds hanging and seed pods dropping onto the ground should be trimmed back.  

A pump basket splitting open will allow debris to get past the basket and into the pumps impeller. When this happens, water circulation will be greatly effected and the system will lose filter pressure. Floor head systems will not have the pressure required for the pop ups to function and suction side cleaners, if not clogged themselves, will not have the water circulation required to keep them moving. Sometimes a pumps impeller can be cleaned once the basket has been removed, but, depending on the pump, the motor may have to be taken off to access the impeller.

Making the effort to keep your yard clean and check the baskets after a wind storm is important and will save you from a lot of unnecessary problems. 

If dirt and debris builds up too long and becomes compacted, it reduces water flow, basically acting like a cork. Floor heads may not 'pop up', or no longer have enough pressure to move dirt and debris toward the drain. Suction cleaners will not have the water flow required to move properly. Compacted dirt and debris can ruin cartridges prematurely and the weight of the residual DE in a DE filter, can cause the grids to collapse, breaking the skeletal plastic inside, or crack the manifold. 

Look for a tear in the cartridge filters rubber. This started as a hairline crack and got worse over time. 

Small tears in the DE filter grids, or broken plastic inside the grids are common when they get old, or have been neglected. 

Cracks in the manifold like this one, can start as hairline cracks and get worse. It can also happen if you over tighten the nuts to the rods that hold the grids together. Always inspect the manifold for signs of stress.

This cartridge filters lower collection manifold had cracked and has holes in it. The filter went too long between cleanings. The cartridges were clogged, and the water had no where else to go. 

This DE filters air breather screen has frayed and must be replaced. Once a hole has worn through the fabric, DE will get into the pool. 

In every pool I have put them in, there has been a noticeable improvement week to week. Just look at this 35 year old pool below, with a Vac Mate. It used to require weekly vacuuming and was dirty through out the week. The surface of the pool is free of debris and the floor is spotless. 

The most common is mustard algae, seen in the picture on the left. Its name comes from the yellowish color, it often grows on walls and easily brushes away. Simply adding shock will not kill the algae, since in my case, the water is spot on. Its immune to the chlorine. There are many products available to get rid of algae and it may take more than one attempt, or even a different kind of algaecide altogether before its gone. For example, if copper doesn't work, you will have to try something else, depending on what type of algae is growing in the pool. Did you know that adding too much copper based algaecide can stain your pool plaster? Copper metal stains are purple in color and require special stain removers and an acid wash to remove them. Too many times I see people adding more than the recommended amount and the stains are bad. 

​The specially treated alloy cylinder is packed with a mineral formulation. The purifiers minerals immediately dissolve out of the cylinder and form a stable, residual amount of minerals in the pool water, effectively killing algae. The active minerals free up available chlorine, meaning less chlorine is required to burn out contaminants. That's is a good thing. Using less chemicals makes the water more enjoyable to swim in. Less chemicals means your water is less irritating to the skin, eyes and nose. Its hard to find a reason not to like this product. Give PoolRx a try, it will definitely make a difference for you this summer. 

I have recently started using a product to control algae called PoolRx. Instead of adding harsh chemicals and metals to the water, PoolRx is a mineral purifier. It has been doing a very good job for me in the pools I've tried them in, eliminating all types of algae for up to 6 months. In Arizona, that means the whole swim season, which is why I love it when I run into recurring algae problems. Available in three different sizes, PoolRx can treat small pools between 7,000 gallons and 20,000 gallons and larger pools up to 35,000 gallons with the PoolRx Extreme mineral purifier. Pools larger than 35,000 gallons can be treated with an extreme PoolRx and the addition of a booster pack. A tiny purifier is also available, which can be used to treat in ground spas and water features. Simply placing a PoolRx purifier into the strainer basket of the pump and it will work up to 6 months. 

 Adjusting turbine blades sets this cleaner in its own class as it is efficient and less likely to get stuck from a large piece of debris. The turbine shown on the left, is made up of two pieces that are connected together, rather than one solid piece. This pivoting connecting point allows the turbine to collapse and self adjust making it more efficient as a result. It moves easier with less water suction and lower pressure. This is especially important with the new variable speed pumps being set to run at lower speeds to save energy. The Pool-cleaners folding turbine vanes also allow easy passage of larger debris through the cleaner.

These large wheels on the Poolvergnuegen cleaners help it to crawl over drain covers effortlessly, which has started to become an issue with other popular cleaners, New drain covers must be used to comply with the Pool and Spa Safety Act and these are typically taller than the old style of drain covers. The Pool Cleaners large diameter tires and the tire treads provide incredible climbing ability and maneuverability.

Other than replacing tires, I do very little, if any maintenance on the Poolvergnuegen cleaners through out the year. In my professional opinion, there is no other cleaner in its price range that cleans as well, and runs as long with with such a low cost to maintaining it.

Its a good idea to keep an eye out on a weekly basis for any wetness under the motor, or around the pump. The picture to the left shows a lot of calcium buildup on the under side of the motor, from a leaky shaft seal that had gone unattended for quite some time. Shaft seals can cause unintended damage to a pump, by corroding bolts that become frozen in the threads of the seal plate. What would normally be a $15.00 fix by replacing a shaft seal, can cost well over $100 if the seal plate must be replaced. The calcium build up on the motor casing will also void the manufactures warranty.

In more extreme cases, even after using 1/2 a can of WD40, or Liquid Wrench, I still could not get the seized bolt out of the pump pictured to the right. The threaded brass insert, which is moulded into the pump itself and is how the motor/seal plate attaches to the pump, popped out attempting to free the corroded bolt. This cannot be repaired.

In the case of this old Hayward Super II pump, the brass inserts are in the pump itself, not a seal plate that can be replaced like the Pentair Whisper flow pumps. With Title 44 being the law of the land here in Arizona, this neglected shaft seal will end up costing the individual about $1000, or more, with the installation of a new, two speed pump and digital time clock, capable of running the two speeds, or a variable speed pump. 

I'm often asked if I provide bi-weekly service, or if I come less in the winter for a lower rate and my answer is always no. When you have been around pools as long as I have, you know better. 

Arizona Monsoon season is July-September. However, wind storms and rain storms are not limited to these months alone. In the example illustrated on the left, there were city owned trees next to the property on the other side of a retaining wall. I had to take a picture of the amount of plant debris I pulled out of the strainer basket, because it was as full as it could possible be after a storm...in January. 

Baskets that are full of debris restrict water flow, which in turn does not cool the motor, or filter enough water from the pool. Excessive heat can cause a lot of unwanted and expensive problems, which can easily be avoided with weekly maintenance.

Through out the year, I find dead birds, rodents and even reptiles getting into the skimmer. In the image to the right, I found a small rabbit stuck in the intake of this Vac-Mate. The rabbit was starting to decay and had plugged the intake hole. The water flow was restricted, the pump was running hot and there was no filter pressure. 

Jason the Pool Guy is Certified by SRP to do calibrations and properly install Title 44 compliant equipment. See a full list of vendors including Jason the Pool Guy at SRP.