About this episode
You’re having a smooth route, then you open a gate and everything is wrong: no surface movement, debris sitting still, and water that looks like it hasn’t circulated in days. We break down how we troubleshoot a pool that’s not running without spiraling into guesswork, starting with the fastest visual clues and moving step-by-step through the equipment pad. If you service pools for a living, this is the kind of real-world diagnostic process that saves time, protects gear, and helps you explain the “why” to a customer on the spot. We start with water level and skimmer behavior, including why newer skimmers with float diverter valves can hide the real story. From there we get hands-on with common pump startup failures: the classic hum-then-click that often points to a bad start or run capacitor, what to look for on the pump, and why carrying common capacitors can turn a disaster stop into a quick win. Then we shift into pool electrical troubleshooting that actually works in the field: using a simple voltage tester, checking the equipment subpanel, flipping breakers that look “on” but are partially tripped, and tracking down a main panel that might be unlabeled, locked, or tucked inside a garage. We also cover why breakers trip in the first place, how failing bearings and overheating motors. Finally, we get into the sneaky problems that fool even experienced techs: customers hitting the stop button on a variable speed pump, shutting the system off to save money, suction leaks from worn pump lid o-rings, heat-damaged threaded fittings, and even old-school kill switches that override the timer. • spotting low water and skimmer problems fast• understanding float diverter valves and why surfaces can mislead• recognizing the hum-and-click pattern of a bad capacitor• swapping a matching capacitor safely and quickly• using a simple voltage tester to confirm power• checking subpanels and main panels for partial breaker trips• catching customer-caused shutdowns like VS pump stop buttons• diagnosing lost prime from lid o-rings and suctioSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits