Dealing with a swimming pool is never easy. Whether you are looking to build a new pool at home or need to have one repaired after it was damaged, going swimming pool buying guide will help you choose the right equipment and save you money.
Table of Contents
What Is A Hydrostatic Valve?
A hydrostatic valve is an essential part of the water circulation system in a swimming pool. It controls the flow of water in the system by using a built-in or external pressure source to either open or close the valve.
If you live in a place where the climate is cold, the water in your pool can form ice cubes during the winter months. To prevent this, you must open the hydrostatic valve so that the water can circulate and be heated by the surrounding air. Even when the valve is closed, there is always some slight flow of water because it is impossible for complete stoppage of the water flow in a swimming pool.
Why Do You Need To Replace A Hydrostatic Valve?
A hydrostatic valve that has been in service for a few years may require replacement due to either wear or tear. Alternatively, if there is an internal component that is damaged or broken, you will have to replace the entire valve.
Hydrostatic valves that are opened frequently will wear out quicker because the pressure applied to the valve will be greater. This is why frequent testing and cleaning of the valve is essential to ensure that it operates at its optimum capacity.
A damaged or malfunctioning hydrostatic valve can cause a number of issues in your pool. For example, if the valve is not capable of being fully opened or closed, this can lead to unnecessary spills or overflows from the pool. If the valve is opened too frequently or left open for too long, this can cause excessive wear and tear on both internal and external components of the valve. In addition, if the valve is damaged or malfunctioning the entire water circulation system in your pool will be affected and may require professional help to fix it.
How Do I Replace A Hydrostatic Valve?
If you are replacing a hydrostatic valve at home, you have two options. Either you can disassemble it yourself or have it installed by a professional.
The first step is to shut off the main supply of water to your pool. This may be done by turning off the main valve or shutting down the water pump. After the water has been turned off, you can either disassemble the valve or remove all the internal components so that they can be cleaned or replaced.
The second step is to turn on the main supply of water to your pool. Once the water is turned on, you can either disassemble or assemble the valve. You will need to turn on the valve manually because the automatic opening mechanism may be rendered inoperable once the water has been turned on. Make sure to turn the valve fully open and leave it in this position until all the water has been drained from the pool. You should leave about 10% of the total water volume remaining in the tank so that there is no risk of the pump cavitating (chilling).
Once the main valve has been opened and the pool has been drained, you can either disassemble or reassemble the valve. In most cases, the best approach is to disassemble the valve and then reassemble it after cleaning or replacing any worn or damaged parts. Make sure to follow all the necessary instructions that come with the new parts you will be using so that you can ensure the integrity of the entire system. Overlooking even the most insignificant step can have grave consequences especially if you are not an experienced technician. To avoid any mishaps, always take the time to study the instruction manual thoroughly before starting any operation.
What Is The Difference Between Hand Pump And Motor-Powered Equipment?
The first type of equipment that you will encounter when replacing a hydrostatic valve is a hand pump. A hand pump compresses air inside a plastic or metal cylinder and then releases the air through a nozzle. The air pressure generated by a hand pump is typically not very high, so it is best used for opening or closing the valve manually. It is advisable to have multiple hand pumps in case one of them fails.
The second type of equipment that you will encounter when replacing a hydrostatic valve is a motor-powered pump. A motor-powered pump is commonly found in automatic pool cleaners and water dispensers. In addition to being more resistant to wear and tear than a hand pump, a motor-powered pump can generate quite a bit of pressure. This makes it ideal for use in large or heavily populated pools. In order to ensure that you get the desired pressure you will have to regulate the speed at which the pump is rotating.
In most cases, the best approach is to use a hand pump to open the valve and then switch to a motor-powered pump to drain the pool. Once the pool has been drained, you can either disassemble or reassemble the valve.
As a rule of thumb, the capacity of a water tank will be determined by its height and width. Taller and wider pools will require larger capacity water tanks, while shorter and narrower pools will only need smaller tanks. One more thing to keep in mind is that you will need to have a place for the tank to be stored when it is not in use. This brings us to our next point.
Where Should I Store The Old Tank?
When replacing a hydrostatic valve at home, you will need to decide where to store the old tank. The first option is to remove it and throw it away since you will eventually have to install a new one. Throwing away the old tank will prevent any future contamination of the fresh water supply and ensure the safety of the family members and animals that use the pool. In most cases, it is advisable to remove the old tank and store it in a safe place until the end.
The second option is to leave the old tank where it is. In this case, you will need to remember to clean it at least once a month with the proper chemicals and water pressure. Leaving the old tank where it is may also require filling it periodically with water or cleaning the pool with the proper chemicals. Remember to take this step only if there is no risk of the pool water becoming contaminated with bacteria or other impurities.
When Should I Replace The Main Valve?
In most cases, the main valve of a hydropool should be replaced every three to five years. This is assuming that the water is not contaminated and there are no damages to the external or internal components of the valve. If any of these conditions are met, you will need to replace the main valve before the set time period in order to prevent any potential health problems from arising from poor sanitation.
If you have a small pool (less than ten feet by ten feet) that is used only for bathing or drinking then it may be sufficient to replace the main valve every year or so. However, if you use your pool for any type of aquatic fun then the valve should be changed more often.
Conclusion
Replacing a hydrostatic valve in a swimming pool is not as difficult as it might seem. With a bit of planning and research, you will be able to have the equipment you need and save you both time and money in the process. In addition, make sure to read all the instruction manuals thoroughly before starting any operation so that you can avoid any mistakes or mishaps. If you want to be sure of getting the desired results then you should hire a professional who is experienced in this kind of work and know how to do it safely and correctly the first time around.