How Important Is New Equipment, Really?
Oftentimes, pool equipment is treated like a car - getting as much use as possible, until just barely reaching the threshold of catastrophe, and finally, begrudgingly being dealt with at the last minute.
And honestly… that’s not that bad of an approach (in some cases).
While having brand new pool equipment is always the ideal case, it may not always be necessary.
But why are we saying this? Of course it’s easier for us to deal with newer equipment, but we also want what’s best for you. It’s important that you, as a homeowner, have all of the information you need to make good decisions about the hard-earned money you spend. And on top of that, we want you to know that we really, truly have your best interests in mind.
With that being said, there are of course circumstances where having new equipment is better than having that old, rickety stuff. Sometimes it’s an old pump, sometimes it’s a decrepit filter, but regardless, it typically becomes clear and begins impacting the operation of your pool.
Should this time ever come, you’ll likely see an impact on the quality of your water. You’ll see problems like
Harder to keep your water clean
Need more filter cleans, more frequently
Can’t maintain proper flow/suction
Etc.
But with all of these problems comes nuance, and with nuance comes the necessity for knowledge. So let’s look at the most common & basic requirements for pool equipment and each of their typical lifespans.
The typical lifespan of common equipment:
Pumps: A good pump will last you 5-7 years when properly maintained. If you treat it well and don’t overload it with unnecessarily-high RPMs year-round, and keep the cover closed, it will last into that later number. Things to replace in pumps are:
- Shaft Seals (1-2 Years)
- Impellers (As Needed)
- Motors (2-5 Years)
Filters: Good filters can last you a long time if they’re taken care of. They’ll get ugly, and prickly (when exposed to sunlight), but the internals of the filter can stay good for more than a decade. Things that may need to ne replaced are:
- O-Rings (2-5 Years)
- Band Clamps (5-10 Years)
- Bulk-Head Fittings (5-10 Years)
Valves: Valves, being comprised of hand-manipulated mechanical parts, are typically offenders when it comes to replacement. You typically don’t need to replace an entire valve, but oftentimes you can replace the internals once the faceplate is taken out. You may need to replace:
- O-Rings (1-3 Years)
- Handle (1-3 Years)
- Faceplate (As-Needed)
Timer/Controller: This one can vary, because there are so many types. Mechanical timer boxes like Intermatic (the most common) are well-built, but have many moving mechanical parts, whereas iAqualink and Intelliconnect are equally well-built, but have no moving parts except for their lid. You ideally won’t ever need to replace these, but typically you can expect a lifespan of:
- Intermatic (5-15 Years)
- iAqualink/Easy Touch(15-20 Years)
- Other (Depends, as some last decades)
As you can see, most of these last a fairly long time for what they are. Just like a car, if you keep on top of these things, they’ll treat you well and have good, long lifespans well past their expiration date. But it’s up to you as the homeowner to either grab that wrench or make that call when the time comes (shameless plug for our equipment replacement service).
All-in all, while new equipment is often better, it’s not always necessary. Many common equipment pieces last a long time when properly cared-for, and only require a tune-up every so often.
Hopefully this has been helpful, and we’re happy to share more to educate our customers and keep the money in your wallet (and you in the pool).
Happy Swimming!
