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Pool Repair FAQs

How do you repair pool plaster?

To repair pool plaster, it is necessary to drain the pool just past the point of the necessary repairs. Once the damaged area is dry, a pool service professional can patch and repair any cracks or damage. In cases of severe damage or wear, a pool may have to be completely drained and replastered. This should only be done by an expert and only when absolutely necessary.

How do you repair a pool liner?

Pool liners often spring leaks, especially after years of wear and tear. A leaking liner can often be patched, sometimes without even draining the water. A pool service professional will determine the location of the leak and apply a patch using special glue that is able to set underwater.

How do you repair a pool filter tank?

Pool filters need regular cleaning and maintenance to function properly. If regular maintenance was neglected, pool filters can break. Repairing a pool filter tank requires a professional to replace the broken parts. However, this can be avoided with regular cleaning and maintenance by technicians from The Pool Butler.

How do you repair a pool skimmer?

Skimmers are critical to allow water into your filtration system while removing large contaminants, such as branches and leaves. If a skimmer is broken it could either not let enough water through, choking off your pump, or it could allow debris into your filter, which could damage or break it. Skimmers can be repaired by replacing damaged parts. Be sure to repair a broken skimmer as soon as possible to avoid damage to your pump and filter.

How do you repair an above ground pool wall?

Above ground pools are obviously quite different from in-ground pools. Fixing an above ground pool requires unique expertise and experience. The most common above ground pool problem is rust. In most cases, the rusted area needs to be covered by a metal patch. Handling the metal and applying it properly is best left to the pros.

Common Swimming Pool Issues

Pool repairs are a fact of pool ownership.

If you own a pool, there is no way around it. Eventually, you will have to make some pool repairs. Many homeowners fear repairs because they think they will be expensive or complicated. But when your pool or pool equipment needs repairs, they can almost never wait. Consider pool repairs part of your regular pool maintenance.

The first step in making urgent pool repairs is to find the right pool repair and company. Without a reliable pool repair company, you can’t even know the extent of the damage, much less what it will take to repair it. But finding the right company can feel daunting, especially with the health of your pool (and your wallet) at stake.

As difficult as it may seem to find the right pool service company, neglecting repairs will only make your pool's problems worse. And that could end up costing you more in the long run. That’s why fixing issues as they arise is key to enjoying your pool now and in the future.

Before opting for pool repair, you must first diagnose the issue, which could be easier said than done. This is why having professionals like The Pool Butler to turn to is so important. Our highly trained and experienced technicians can pinpoint any issues with your pool, and they will also know exactly how to fix them.

As a pool owner, it’s also important to familiarize yourself with some common causes of pool damage. Knowing how pools are damaged can help prevent problems and expedite the repair process. After all, if you can let your pool repair technician know what you think is wrong it can help them diagnose the problem quickly and get started on a solution ASAP.

Here are just a few of the most common swimming pool issues a homeowner may run into:

Chemical Imbalances

Whether you have a traditional chlorinated pool or a pool that is chlorinated with a saltwater chlorine generator, your pool will need some chemicals to keep the water clean. Without the right chemical levels, your pool can become an ideal habitat for bacteria and fungi. These organisms can start creating their own little ecosystems and quickly overtake the pool.

Everybody agrees algae in a pool is disgusting. What some people don’t realize is that algae isn’t just gross, it’s dangerous! Exposure to some of the most common pool bacteria can make you seriously ill.

To keep bacteria to a minimum, you or your technician need to add the right chemicals. One of the most commonly used pool water sanitizers is chlorine, either in liquid form (sodium hypochlorite) or solid form (calcium hypochlorite). When chlorine reacts with the water, it creates hydrochlorous acid. This acid destroys bacteria, disintegrating the cells’ internal structures to kill them. Luckily, it’s a relatively weak acid that is not dangerous to humans.

If you are faced with an algae bloom or bacteria problem, you probably need to perform a chemical shock known as superchlorination. You or your technician will shock the pool with intentional over-chlorination. This shock to the pool’s ecosystem essentially wipes out algae and bacteria over a relatively short time. But it comes at a cost.

If unknowing swimmers jump in the pool before chemical levels have naturally receded to appropriate levels, they can experience some unwelcome consequences. Exposure to too much chlorine can cause skin redness, rashes, and even respiratory irritation.

After you shock a pool, you need to gradually return the pool water to a healthy chemical balance. Without knowledge and experience, it can be hard to reestablish healthy chemical levels. That’s where having professionals like The Pool Butler can really help.

Swimming Pool Liner Wear and Swimming Pool Leaks

While some pool walls are made of concrete or tile, many pools use a vinyl liner. Over time, vinyl liners will inevitably show signs of wear. The color might fade and the material can become less resilient. Eventually, you might discover small cracks or leaks in the lining. If your liner is wearing thin in some places, you may need swimming pool leak detection services. A swimming pool leak sounds scary, but you don’t need to panic. Once we find the leak, the liner needs to be patched or replaced quickly to prevent more serious damage to your pool.

Liner problems are especially common over the winter. Ice puts extra pressure on your lining and can even scrape the sides when your pool begins to thaw. Luckily, The Pool Butler can repair vinyl pool liners when possible or replace a liner that has seen better days.

If you have a tile pool that is leaking, we may recommend tile repair. This process requires expert service form The Pool Butler. Once the repairs are done, your pool will feel like new, and you'll be back to hosting pool parties in no time!


Algae Buildup

Algae spores are invisible to the naked eye but present all around us. They can find their way into your pool water by wind, rain, or even contaminated swimsuits and pool cleaning tools. Normally, healthy chemical levels retard algae growth. But when conditions are right, an algae bloom can occur in a matter of hours.

Out of balance water is one factor in an algae bloom. Warm temperatures, sunlight, and the presence of nitrates, phosphates, and carbon dioxide in your pool can contribute to the ideal conditions for algae. A lack of proper circulation, filtration, and sanitation is also a contributing factor, and sometimes even the primary cause of pool algae.

Algae are living aquatic plants (usually) that can multiply rapidly on warm, sunny days. Algae get their color from chlorophyll and use photosynthesis to fuel their growth. Algae can grow in the shade or sun, but most pool algae strains need at least some light and warmth to grow.

Pool Pump Repairs

Just like the human body, swimming pools have an important circulatory system. At the heart of that system is the pool pump. The pool pump keeps water flowing through the filtration system, so if your pool pump has problems you will quickly see that reflected in the quality of your pool’s water. Depending on your system, the pump may also help water pass through a chlorinator—also critical for water sanitization—a heater, or other equipment. Pool pump repairs are critical to the health of your pool.

Some pump problems show up as plumbing leaks. If water is leaking from your pump, the pump either doesn’t have the proper pressure to keep water flowing or it is working overtime to keep water flowing, causing further damage to its interior components. Other pump problems may be less obvious, either because leaks are hidden in buried pipes or because the problems are internal.

Whatever problem your pump has, the key to diagnosing the pump is understanding its parts’ functions and what happens when a certain part is failing. Knowing what to look for isn’t always easy, but The Pool Butler is here to help.

Pool Pump Woes: Problems with your pool's pumping system could be complex to fix.
Video courtesy of Charlotte Home Inspector on YouTube.

Broken Pool Lights

Broken lights are a repair job you should never attempt yourself. This task can be extremely dangerous due to the live electricity and conductivity of the swimming pool. Professionals like The Pool Butler have the necessary knowledge and equipment to complete the job safely.

The most common type of pool light repair involves a simple light bulb and light gasket replacement. If the light bulb is replaced quickly, more extensive damage to the light fixture can often be prevented.

Our typical pool light repair takes 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The timing often depends on what area of the pool the light is located in and if we need to enter the water to remove the light fixture.

Another common problem is a failing lens gasket. A leak through the watertight front rubber gasket between the lens and the fixture can cause the light to short out.

After long periods of moisture exposure, the pool light fixture can become corroded and cause the light to fail permanently. When that happens, you need to replace the entire fixture, not just a bulb. Regular maintenance from the Pool Butler can help catch these issues early on and avoid more serious repairs.

When you’re looking for pool repair services, call (770) 439-2644 to speak with one of the helpful professionals at The Pool Butler. Regardless of the state of your pool, you should periodically inspect your pool’s equipment, including the pumps, filters, and heaters, or hire a professional to perform this maintenance for you.

Hiring The Right Pool Repair Company In Atlanta

A swimming pool is an excellent addition to any home, adding beauty to your landscape and offering countless hours of fun and relaxation. But, like anything of value, pools require maintenance and occasional repairs.

When residents throughout Atlanta need assistance with their pools, they turn to the pool repair experts at The Pool Butler. We’ve served Metro Atlanta for many years with exceptional service, and our company is the go-to for all of your swimming pool needs.