Search results

  1. M

    Help - 4 tiles and a chunk of mortar just came off!

    I've done a lot of tile repair on my own pool in Michigan where we get extreme expansion and contraction over the winters. All you really need is "Megalite" thinset by custom building products usually at home depot. It's rated for swimming pool use. The key is removing all the old thinset.
  2. M

    Concrete deck expansion joint repair

    The best material I've ever used is "Dow 790" It's pure silicone and I've seen it last 15+ years in expansion joints around pools. It will stay flexible indefinitely. You will have to tool it as it's not self leveling but you'll never have to touch it again. Over time most of the other caulks...
  3. M

    Aqualink rs blown

    I once lost an Aqualink Transformer to an animal eating throu the Jandy Actuator cable. The Actuator survived but the transformer died.
  4. M

    Toy fell into attached SPA floor drain, advice requested!

    Another Option is trying to use a shop vac and sucking it back out from the spa side while temporarily capping the other drain pipes.
  5. M

    Pool deck repairs

    I wouldn't use polyurethane caulk. It won't match well with the existing grout and will be a mess to remove if you want to do a better repair later. you can look at what's called "Siliconized Sanded Caulk". It will have a little more grit to match your existing grout and comes in a tube to make...
  6. M

    Inground pool coping separating, lifting from pool

    It's a shame when they installed the pavers they didn't put an expansion joint between the coping and pavers. I can't say 100% that caused the problem but if theirs any movement in the pavers it doesn't have anywhere to go. The good news is if the tiles are in good shape those bricks can be...
  7. expansion_Joint_Scaled_cmyk-2.jpg

    expansion_Joint_Scaled_cmyk-2.jpg

  8. M

    Inground pool coping separating, lifting from pool

    I think moisture is getting under the coping and popping them over the winter. Do you use a solid pool cover during the winter that sits on top of the water? The good news is it looks like a clean break. If you knock on the tiles in that area do they sound hollow? Any cracking in the grout...
  9. M

    Instapark Betta Automatic Pool Skimmer

    Dschmick98 thanks for you detailed response. If you get several cloudy or rainy days does the battery seem to last several days if it doesn't have a sunny day?
  10. M

    Fixing or replacing older Raypak heater controller

    I can't speak to replacing the board but 14 years from a Raypak I'd say you got your money's worth. Even if you replace the board at some point other components are going to fail so I'm not sure throwing $700 to fix it when you could put that money towards another that will probably last another...
  11. M

    Raypak heaters lack efficiency?

    I'd look at the Raypak ASME version. You will probably find them easier and they build that version with cast iron headers and a heavier duty exchanger.
  12. M

    Raypak heaters lack efficiency?

    Also remember that the heaters that are +84% efficiency usually have a fan motor to reach that efficiency and when eventually the fan fails their usually $500+ to replace. The Raypaks don't have an expensive fan assembly. The design is simpler and maybe slightly less efficient but it makes up...
  13. M

    Tiles fell off - How to repair?

    It's safe to let the water evap down below the tiles. Just make sure you close off your skimmers at the point where they will run out of water. You don't want your pump running dry. Some skimmers are set low enough so they still have enough water to run right below the water line. You'll have to...
  14. M

    Instapark Betta Automatic Pool Skimmer

    Ok I'll check out getting a weir door and see how that goes.. thanks
  15. M

    Tiles fell off - How to repair?

    If you have a main drain valve and a skimmer valve you can run your pump just on the main drain suction. As a matter of fact I'm repair tile right now and I have my pump just using the main drain with the water drained below my skimmers. Your system doesn't need to be down and you can still...
  16. M

    Tiles fell off - How to repair?

    This is what I do.. I use Custom Megalite thinset from Home Depot. I also use it as grout but mix it a little creamier. You have to apply it as grout and wipe it off fairly quickly as it sets pretty fast. Working time is around 20 minutes but can get a little more time with very cold water...
  17. M

    Instapark Betta Automatic Pool Skimmer

    I have two skimmers and they work pretty well. They don't have a weir door. Sometimes we get a lot of debris because we have trees close by and the regular skimmer don't pickup cottonwood and finer particles that well. I was thinking the skimmers paired with an automatic skimmer would be the...
  18. M

    Instapark Betta Automatic Pool Skimmer

    Is there a more proven unit that runs on Lithium ion batteries and around that price range?
  19. M

    Instapark Betta Automatic Pool Skimmer

    Has anyone tested the "Instapark Betta" Automatic skimmer robot? Reviews so far on Amazon look good. Does anyone know if you can recharge with a wall-outlet or is solar the only option?
  20. M

    Rust in Raypak Heater

    I think you have several years left if you do some maintenance on it.. In Michigan your only running it 6 months of the year and I've had the raypaks last as long as 15 years. Your wiring looks in good condition and there's several safety switches built-in to the raypaks to prevent a fire. The...
  21. M

    Polaris 380 not moving (very sluggish)

    I'd check the nozzles for small rocks. Theirs a nozzle under the turbine and two where the debris bag attaches. I've had small rocks lodge in the openings keeping the water pressure from driving the wheels several times.
  22. M

    Looking to replace 9 inch Bullnose Coping...Need Advice Please

    If you have an expansion joint between the coping and deck you won’t need to use a concrete saw. To do it right you’d have to empty the pool of water. If you want all the brick level and a nice grout line at the tile line it’s best to set the brick from within the pool. With water in the pool...
  23. M

    Pool Heater Replacement

    Raypak is for sure the way to go. Had one for over 15 years. Replaced it a few years ago. It has the least moving parts. While the MasterTemp is also good, it has a blower motor which probably will need replacement at some point. The Raypak requires no blower motor unless you need the LOW NOx...
  24. M

    Pool Heater Shopping

    I've found the Raypak's to have the least amount of parts you need to replace. It's a simple design. Theirs no expensive fan's you need to replace and holds up well in winter environments.
  25. M

    Circupool SI+ vs Hayward Aquarite

    I’m debating between a CircuPool SI-45+ vs a Hayward Aquarite 40K. What’s leaning me toward the Hayward is the abundance of support and parts from many suppliers. Does the limited parts/warranty channel concern anyone with the CircuPool? It looks like Discountsaltpool is the only...