Even the best-built gunite pool with top-of-the-line equipment will eventually face an unexpected breakdown. A pump motor burns out. A power outage knocks your system offline for days. A storm rolls through Baton Rouge, and suddenly your filter isn’t running. It happens — and when it does, the clock starts ticking.
Stagnant water in a gunite pool doesn’t just get dirty. It creates the conditions for algae to bloom, chlorine to burn off, and surfaces to stain. These problems are far more expensive to fix than the original equipment issue. The good news is that a few proactive steps can keep your pool in manageable shape until repairs are complete.
Here’s exactly what to do.
Step 1: Remove Debris Immediately
This is the most time-sensitive step, and it’s the one most people skip. Organic debris — tree leaves, sticks, plant fragments, and insects — can quickly wipe out your sanitizer level. It can even cause stains on your pool surface. (Leslie’s Pool)
For a gunite pool with a plaster, quartz, or pebble finish, this matters even more. Organic material sitting on your pool surface without circulation can cause tannin staining that’s difficult and costly to remove. Get a leaf rake or skimmer net in the water as soon as you know the equipment is down. Stay on top of it daily until the system is back online.
Step 2: Keep Chlorine Levels Higher Than Normal
Without a running pump, chlorine can’t distribute itself evenly through the water. It also burns off faster in stagnant conditions. A typical free available chlorine level is recommended at 1–3 parts per million (ppm). But without the pump or filter running, you should maintain somewhere in the 3–4 ppm range to prevent algae and other problems. (Rutherford Source)
The key is using the right form of chlorine. Since you don’t have the pump moving the water, use a fast-dissolving chlorine for more even distribution. Walk the perimeter as you add it, rather than dumping it in one spot.
One important note for gunite pool owners: avoid adding balancing chemicals until your circulation system is back up and running. Adding them too early can cause serious damage to pool surfaces. Focus on chlorine levels first. Save pH, alkalinity, and calcium adjustments for when the pump is running again and can distribute them properly.
Step 3: Prevent Algae From Taking Hold
If the pump fails during the warm, sticky, humid summer months, heat-loving algae won’t take long to bloom. Once algae begins to grow, it takes over rapidly. In Baton Rouge’s climate, summer water temperatures stay high for months, so this window is even shorter than in cooler regions.
Add a dose of algaecide as a preventive measure as soon as you know the equipment is down. Don’t wait until you see green. It’s far easier to prevent an algae bloom than to treat one. Treating one in a gunite pool without a running pump is a serious project.
Step 4: Keep the Water Moving
Circulation is your biggest challenge when equipment goes down. Without the pump running, water sits — and sitting water is where every problem starts. Your options depend on your situation.
If you have power:
- A robotic pool cleaner is your best option. It circulates water as it moves around the pool, and its onboard filters help maintain water quality until your filtration system is back up.
- A submersible pump is another solid option. Place it at one end of the pool, then use a clean garden hose to direct the outlet water to the opposite end. It won’t replace your filtration system, but it keeps water moving. It also helps chlorine distribute more evenly. Leslie’s Pool
If you’ve lost power:
Get in the water with a pool brush. Thoroughly scrubbing all pool surfaces prevents staining and algae growth. It also agitates the water, which aids circulation. For a gunite pool, regular brushing during an outage protects your interior finish too — plaster and pebble surfaces are far more vulnerable to algae and staining when water is stagnant. (In the Swim)
Plan to brush at least once a day. Brush more often if the outage extends beyond 48 hours.
Step 5: Don’t Let It Go Too Long
There’s a limit to how long manual maintenance can hold a pool. After a few days without proper circulation and filtration, water chemistry deteriorates in ways that become harder to correct. This is especially true in a gunite pool, where the interior finish is a significant investment.
If your equipment has been down for more than two or three days, or if you’re seeing early signs of cloudiness or algae, shift your priority. Focus on getting the equipment repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. Trying to chemical-dose your way through a week-long outage in a Louisiana summer is a losing battle.
Common Causes of Pool Equipment Failure
Understanding why equipment fails helps you catch problems earlier. Some of the most common culprits include:
Pump issues: Clogged impellers, worn bearings, failed motor seals, or running dry due to low water levels. Low pool pump efficiency can throw the entire system out of balance. This can lead to murky water, clogged filters, and even damage to other equipment. (Star Water Systems)
Filter issues: A clogged or dirty filter, closed return valves, broken filter parts, or lime buildup in the heater can all cause pressure and flow problems. For gunite pools, a neglected filter also means contaminants circulate directly against your plaster or pebble finish. This accelerates surface wear over time. (Leslie’s Pool)
Leaks: Hissing or gurgling sounds from pool equipment, wet spots or puddles around the pump area, or a sudden drop in water level can all point to a leak. Leaks on a gunite pool’s buried plumbing are especially serious. Left unaddressed, they can undermine the surrounding soil and eventually affect the shell itself.
The Best Strategy Is a Good Maintenance Routine
The most effective way to handle equipment failure is to catch the early warning signs before they become a full breakdown. Your wall skimmer plays a vital role here. Clean out the skimmer basket at least a couple of times each week. Check it more often after stormy weather, or if you have a lot of trees or leafy plants in your yard.
Keep an eye on your pump pressure gauge readings. Listen for unusual sounds from your equipment pad, and don’t ignore small leaks. In a custom gunite pool, the cost of reactive repairs almost always exceeds the cost of staying on top of routine maintenance.
PEC Builds Pools — and We’re Here When Things Go Wrong
At Pinnacle Exterior Construction, we build custom gunite pools throughout Baton Rouge and the surrounding area. When something goes wrong with your pool equipment, our team can help diagnose the issue, recommend the right fix, and get your system back up and running. That way, a temporary problem doesn’t become a costly one.
Contact PEC today to schedule a service call, or explore our pool resources for more maintenance guidance.