Swimming Pools

[Riley]

I look after the plumbing maintenance for a group of about seven really posh houses that each have swimming pools. The owners have become rather disillusioned with the pool maintenance guy and have been so pleased with my work that they're asking me if I could take on the maintenance of the swimming pools as well. Now I have zero experience of working on pools but obviously understand that circulation and filtration and chemicals are a necessity. Other than faults and replacing parts if they should fail is there much more to it ??

 

[Chalked]

The heating side is quite simple on domestic pools. Normally a boiler that will feed a series of heat exchangers. Pool water, spa water and one inside the air handling unit. Some have one unit with everthing in .
With good knowledge of heating and plumbing you could maintain that side.
Be wary of the pool water side though. Unless you have experience you can cause an expensive mistake.
It's not just about keeping the water at a contact level for chlorination. There is also the matter of keeping the PH levels correct. Back washing the filters and replacing the filter matter when needed. Some have sand, some have limestone. It depends on the type of water. Get this wrong and you can stain the tiles, destroy the render, or scale up the tiles. Get the chlorine wrong and you can corrode anything metal in the building (including copper) or even burn the customer if it's over done!.
If your happy to do it and have the knowledge, make sure you tell your public liability insurers.

 

[Riley]

Thanks mate I really was just enquiring as I have literally no experience on it. That's fine I'm not afraid to pass on it cheers for taking time to come back though

 

[mfgs]

Thanks mate I really was just enquiring as I have literally no experience on it. That's fine I'm not afraid to pass on it cheers for taking time to come back though

If you potentially have a bit of future work from this maybe it would be worthwhile taking it on and doing a course on it? If you start looking after these then you could get more recommendations and it could open up a whole other side to your business. Obviously depends how much you can charge and how much the course would cost etc.

 

[Riley]

I did just try googling it mate can't seem to find anything in the way of a sensible course I understand that there may not necessarily be a proper qualification that goes with it but from the chemicals perspective and a maintenance perspective I can totally understand there being a need for training

 

[turnpin]

Refreshing when after making proper enquiries that you admit to your limit's.....more to this subject than meet's the eye methink's........regards Turnpin:smile5:

 

[rpm]

If you take it on I suggest you research for people who repair the pumps in advance, look for signs of ptfe tape or sealant being used on the cap joint above the strainer basket (these unscrew to enable cleaning of the basket and are from memory sealed with an O ring).

Look for any signs of past leakage around the area where the mechanical seal is and take a look at the wiring connections on the motor for signs of past scorching where the terminals have come loose, lastly I would note if the pump is still available or what the direct replacement is, from where and how much then you are ready and organised for a quick repair / replacement when it`s 90 degrees and the customer wants to use their pool. lol

 

[Riley]

I'm no mug. I'm on a cracking earner with these people looking after the rest of their properties I am certainly not going to shoot myself in the foot by ballsing up their swimming pools it was really if there were simple processes and rules to follow then I might have considered it.

 

[tomplumb83]

It cant be that difficult!
Granted youll have to do a lot of research but I would look into it if you can be done with the hassle.
Somebody is making money from it so why not you - Its only a giant Jacuzzi!