10 Common Pool Emergencies: What to Do

A pool problem can go from a small mess to a big one pretty quickly. Start with the people around the pool, then deal with the equipment. Only use controls you recognize and can reach from a dry, safe spot. Leave unfamiliar valves and damaged equipment alone.

If you suspect electrical shock, fire, a gas leak or an immediate threat to someone, move away and call 911. Stay out of potentially electrified water and away from wet electrical equipment. See the CPSC’s pool electrical safety guidance.

1. My pool is overfilling

Heavy rain or a stuck auto-fill may be the cause. If you know where the auto-fill’s manual water shut-off is and can reach it safely, stop the incoming water. Keep people away from standing water near the equipment and call your pool technician.

2. A pipe broke and water is flooding the yard

Stop the affected equipment at its normal control if you can do so safely. A running pump can make the leak worse. Water may keep flowing by gravity after the pump stops, especially when equipment sits below the pool. Let a technician handle unfamiliar valves and damaged electrical equipment.

3. My pump stopped working

Check the normal display for a schedule change or error message. Write down the model and error code without opening the equipment. If a breaker or GFCI trips, repeatedly resetting it will not fix the fault. Burning, smoke, unusual heat or wet electrical equipment means keep clear and get qualified help.

4. My pool water is very low

If the pump is pulling air or running dry, stop it safely. Tell your technician how quickly the water dropped, whether the auto-fill is running and where you see water. Avoid draining the pool further while the cause is being checked.

5. My pool cover is flooded

Keep everyone off the cover and do not try to open it with water sitting on top. Follow the cover manufacturer’s water-removal instructions and use the recommended equipment. If a pump, cord or outlet is damaged, or reaching it means stepping into standing water, stop and call for help.

6. My chlorine reading is too high

Keep swimmers out. Check the reading with a suitable test kit and follow its instructions; very high chlorine can interfere with some tests. Stop additional dosing through the normal controls where appropriate. Before adding a reducer or draining water, ask your pool professional to review the reading, pool volume, stabilizer and product label.

7. My spa is overfilling

A blocked return path or a valve problem may be involved. From outside the water, look for loose surface debris and note whether the system is in pool or spa mode. Do not remove drain covers, suction fittings or safety grates. Stop the affected circulation safely if needed and have the flow path checked.

8. My spa drained into the pool

A check valve or control problem may be the cause. Stop the pump safely if it is pulling air or running dry. Photos of the control display and visible valve positions can help your technician. Avoid moving valves you do not recognize; that can leave equipment without water.

9. My cover is stuck

Do not pull or force it. Keep the pool secured against unsupervised access, particularly if the cover is stuck open. Note any sound or error message and arrange cover service. Repeatedly running a stalled mechanism can make the repair bigger.

10. A water feature is flooding the cover

Stop the water feature at its normal control if safe. Keep people off the loaded cover and follow its water-removal instructions. Have a technician review the water-feature schedule and freeze protection together. Turning off freeze protection without a plan can leave plumbing exposed to damage.

Tell us what you are seeing

Your location, when the problem started, an error code and a few photos from a safe spot give us a useful head start. We serve St. George, Washington, Ivins and Santa Clara. Call (435) 287-5086 during business hours or request pool repair service.