POOL HEATERS, repair tips and troubleshooting

Swimming pool heaters can be the more complicated of pool equipment on you pool equipment pad. Making repairs to pool heaters should be performed by qualified personnel. Gas pool heaters using natural gas or LP (Propane) gas can be hazardous with combustion or exhaust of the pool heater. Hayward pool equipment has created the Pool heater FAQ below to help the pool owner with pool heater repairs and pool heater troubleshooting. Poolcenter.com has all of your swimming pool heater parts for your Anthony, Purex, Coates, Hayward, Comfortzone, Jandy, Pentair, Raypak, Teledyne Laars/ Jandy, or Sta-Rite heater.

My heater will not ignite

Is the system switch on?
Is the thermostat up to temperature?
Is the pump running with a clean filter less than or equal to 16 psi on pressure gauge?
Is the gas valve in the on position?
Is the pilot lit?
Is the gas supply valve open?
Are all plumbing and filter valves open?
If a bypass is installed, is it properly adjusted?
Contact a qualified technician if you still cannot find the problem.

The pilot won't light?

This could be due to low gas pressure, inadequate air supply, or improper venting. Make sure gas is turned on; with propane, make sure the tank has fuel. Also check for water run-off from roof or sprinklers. Check to make sure the heater pilot tubing is intact and not clogged.

Heater won't reach the desired temperature?

The thermostat may be set too low. If the heat loss is greater than the heater input - the heater may be too small, outside air temperature is too low, or your heater may have inadequate gas supply. You may want to install a solar cover to slow heat loss. All heaters have high limit switches to prevent overheating. A faulty high limit switch could shut off the heater, or the problem could be that the heater is truly overheating, perhaps from improper exhaust.

The heater cycles on and off before it reaches the desired temperature?

Your heater may have inadequate water flow due to a dirty filter, closed valve, external bypass, reversed water connections, or pressure switch out of adjustment. It is also possible that your thermostat is out of calibration or needs replacing.

Why do I need to frequently relight my pilot?

See previous two questions for additional information. Also check for water run off from above or sprinklers directed at heater. A high wind stack may be needed due to heater location. Millivolt models have a thermocouple or pilot generator that may be faulty or weak. Loose or rusty connections of the thermocouple to the gas valve or loose coil connection, or short in these wires can shut off a pilot.

I hear "clicking" or "sparking," but my heater will not ignite.....

Review to the pool heater owner's manual. If you do not find your answer, turn the heater off and contact a qualified service company. Make sure that the gas valves are all in the on position, and if LP (Propane), check the gauge on the tank.

The heater is leaking water.....

The pool heater heat exchanger may be leaking because of chemical or sanitizer damage. The damage may be from winter freeze - usually leaking upon spring start-up. There could be a gasket leaking, or a loose connection to the pressure switch.

The heater appears to leak only when the burner is lit.....

This may be caused by condensation (occurring when heating very cold water); a missing or damaged bypass; or excessive water flow through the heater from an oversized pump. Check the heat exchanger for sooting, and make sure the internal bypass is working. Install an external pool heater bypass if necessary.

Heater top blackened and/or emitting dark exhaust?

Either low gas pressure and/or inadequate air supply and venting, review the installation requirements in the pool heater Owner's Manual. Both conditions may need to be evaluated by a qualified service technician. This is called sooting and could lead to other problems.

The heater has damage due to excessive heat. Why?

One, or a combination of the following: low gas pressure, down-drafting, air supply, and venting. The heater may need a high wind stack, if installed near a vertical wall or windy area. Make sure that the heater is installed with proper clearances all around the outside. Pool Heaters can catch adjacent structures on fire.

I have rust returned into my pool?

Sanitizers or chemical imbalance can deteriorate protective coatings on heater components and create rust. Re-balance chemicals and replace damaged components. Make sure any chemical feeders are installed after the heater, and place a check valve between the two to prevent backflow.

copyrighted information provided courtesy of haywardnet.com

Continued I 1 I 2 I Next

ORDER STATUS I LIVE CHAT I CLEARANCE I GUARANTEE / RETURNS I PRIVACY / SECURITY I SHIPPING I INTERNATIONAL I TESTIMONIALS I VIEW BASKET