Leaking Heater

[PoolDoc]

I have a Laars Pool/Spa heater that is leaking water and has possibly turned the water in my pool blue and stained the pool walls blue.

Could the heater be damaged due to poorly maintained chemical balance

Almost certainly, due to low pH. This may be pool wide, or you may have been running chlorine tabs (acid!) in the skimmer, and also using a timer, which results in a low pH / high chlorine 'hot shot' hitting the heater, ever time the pump kicks on, after being off for a few hours.

Raise your pH with borax to above 7.4; do NOT use skimmer tabs IF you use a timer.

To fix the stains, you'll need a K2006 test kit (see link to test kit page in blue signature block).

Try to avoid 'shocking' the pool, which can result in ALL the copper remaining in your pool water suddenly taking up residence as even more stains. Reading this thread will explain more: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...acid-treatment

BUT, don't start on that treatment process, till you've gotten a handle on testing and managing basic pool chemistry YOURSELF.

[Bsqrd]

Thanks for the info. I was paying a Pool Service to maintain the pool and think they have dropped the ball which will result in me paying a large sum to replace the heater. I will be looking for another service. Very frustrating.

[PoolDoc]

Sorry.

Pool services aren't a bad idea, if they fit your budget -- but learning to test your own pool is essential. Too many in the pool biz are either predatory (mostly, pool chem mfgs) or ignorant (everybody else).

Buy a K2006 . . . and LEARN TO USE IT before you hire your pool service. Then, check your pool monthly.