I run a Handyman business in a very busy town. Everybody and their brother has a pool. I ask a lot of questions and I get a lot of negatives on Pentair with their customer service. Is this the norm or a Covid/lack of skilled employee thing. Hear good things on Jandi and so so on Hayward.
Pentair Problems
- Thread starter almostakeeper
- Start date
There is bound to be problems and warranty issues with anything. Every last one of us in the country cringes anytime we have to call 1-800 anything. That being said, Myself and oodles of other people have had great experiences with both Pentair equipment and their service.
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
My experience with all 3 brands over 7 years is they all work. Most pool components are very similar design across the brands. Many parts such as electric motors, heater internals, and others are not made by any of these brands. Only place I see big differences is automation where Pentair is the leader in my opinion and experience.
Chris
Chris
BowserB
Silver Supporter
- Jul 29, 2018
- 785
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Three things to consider, I think. Reliability/longevity, company technical support, local installation and warranty repairs. Here in Texas, about the only residential equipment with comparable complexity that runs as many hours per day and days per year, is air conditioning. And with swimming pool equipment, it is both outdoors in the Texas sun and subject to the destructive effects of chlorine and sometimes salt. My point? Normal wear and tear is significant with pool equipment. I have all Pentair, because that's what my pool builder uses. Another PB I considered used Hayward. Still another used a mix.
After just over two years, I can't really speak to longevity, and so far nothing has broken. As to tech support, I've gotten quick answers whenever I've had a question. There used to be a guy in North Carolina, Brian Boothe, Engineering Manager, who was exceptional in my opinion. If I called or emailed him, I got good info that went above and beyond what was required. In fact, he told me how to do things that the pool builder didn't know and had done wrong in his installation. For warranty, I suspect that is highly variable and dependent on the local authorized warranty repair people, who are going to be dealer-installers. With Pentair, any authorized warranty station can handle warranty repairs, but I imagine that you're going to get the best service from the people who sell and install the equipment, since they want your future business.
My experience is with Pentair and has been good. Check back in ten years for more info. For now, I have read many issues here with Pentair salt water chlorine generators and Pentair natural gas heaters. It seems like a lot anyway. Is that because Pentair is unreliable or because Pentair sells the most SWCG and heater equipment? If you investigated standby generators, you'd find that the overwhelming majority of problems are with Generac...but then Generac has 80% of the market. Unlike refrigerators, washing machine, or automobiles, there is no large statistical information source like Consumer Reports for pool equipment. Real bottom line in my opinion is the dealer/installer/authorized warranty repair company, if you use a major manufacturer's products. New Braunfels and the nearby Canyon Lake area probably have a lot of pools, plus you're right next door to San Antonio. I think you should have a number of full service dealers around for all major brands, and if you find one who installs more than one, they might be a good place to get more info.
After just over two years, I can't really speak to longevity, and so far nothing has broken. As to tech support, I've gotten quick answers whenever I've had a question. There used to be a guy in North Carolina, Brian Boothe, Engineering Manager, who was exceptional in my opinion. If I called or emailed him, I got good info that went above and beyond what was required. In fact, he told me how to do things that the pool builder didn't know and had done wrong in his installation. For warranty, I suspect that is highly variable and dependent on the local authorized warranty repair people, who are going to be dealer-installers. With Pentair, any authorized warranty station can handle warranty repairs, but I imagine that you're going to get the best service from the people who sell and install the equipment, since they want your future business.
My experience is with Pentair and has been good. Check back in ten years for more info. For now, I have read many issues here with Pentair salt water chlorine generators and Pentair natural gas heaters. It seems like a lot anyway. Is that because Pentair is unreliable or because Pentair sells the most SWCG and heater equipment? If you investigated standby generators, you'd find that the overwhelming majority of problems are with Generac...but then Generac has 80% of the market. Unlike refrigerators, washing machine, or automobiles, there is no large statistical information source like Consumer Reports for pool equipment. Real bottom line in my opinion is the dealer/installer/authorized warranty repair company, if you use a major manufacturer's products. New Braunfels and the nearby Canyon Lake area probably have a lot of pools, plus you're right next door to San Antonio. I think you should have a number of full service dealers around for all major brands, and if you find one who installs more than one, they might be a good place to get more info.