Gary's Pool Supplies › Guides › Repair
Most heater problems are a part, not the whole heater. Age and the heat exchanger decide when replacing is the smarter money.
A heater that won't fire is one of the most common calls we get in the fall, right when people want the spa back. Most of the time the heater itself is fine and something around it has stopped cooperating.
Low water flow. A dirty filter, a closed valve, or a clogged basket drops the flow below what the heater needs, and its pressure switch won't let it light. Clean the filter first; it fixes more heaters than any part.
Igniter or flame sensor. Both wear out and both are replaceable parts.
High-limit or other safety switches. These shut the heater down to protect it. Sometimes the switch has failed; sometimes it is doing its job and the real problem is flow or scale.
Gas supply. A valve off, a meter too small for the heater, or a regulator problem.
The heat exchanger is the expensive part. Hard water leaves scale inside it, and low pH corrodes it. When a heater is past 10 to 12 years and the heat exchanger or burner tray is failing, a repair often buys a season and then something else goes. That is usually the point to replace.
We diagnose first and tell you which situation you're in. If it's a replace, we size the new heater to the pool and spa, pull permits where required, and install it.