Replacing a Pop Up Head

[@InsuranceSchool4U]

Thank you! Great information. Now I need to practice holding my breath! I’ll be back!!

[@PoolSchooler]

😂. Hope you subscribed to my channel and that you’ll share it with others.

[@ThomasSommerville-j9c]

Very informative video Kenny explains it very well. Saved me a call to the pool company!

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for commenting. Hope you'll share my channel with your friends and family.

[@prs867]

Excellent explanation, thank you!

[@PoolSchooler]

Happy to help. thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you'll subscribe to and share my channel with others.

[@RonKaplan-y6l]

Very informative but most important Kenny tells us that the valves cary a lifetime warranty. GREAT JOB!

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to be of help. Thanks for commenting. Thanks for watching Hope. You’ll subscribe to my channel and share it with your friends.

[@PoolSchooler]

Just to clarify, the pop-up heads carry a lifetime warranty for the original owner of the pool. But remember some of those companies that make the pop-up heads could’ve gone out of business in which case they were either bought out by another company who sometimes choose to honor the warranty, but do not cover the cost to install/labor charge or they won’t honor the warranty at all.

[@edwinmartinez2646]

👍👍very good

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you. Hope you’ll subscribe to and share my channel.

[@margarethern3419]

Extremely informative thank you. I have a question. what is happening when there are black rings around the pop up.

[@PoolSchooler]

If you have black algae around the pop-up ring, it’s still an algae problem in which case you would treat it like typical black algae. Don’t forget to use phosphate remover because that will stop the food source for the algae. But a lot of times the area around the pop-up pad where it’s inserted into the pool is rough and that creates a very, porous surface for the algae to grow on attached to but treated the same way you would black algae and you should be fine

[@Michael-nr8ur]

Hey Kenny! what Pentair RPM should the popups have to work properly?

[@PoolSchooler]

Typically at least 3000 rpm. But you may want to refer to their user manual for their recommendation.

[@casetafabens9885]

Can you remove the head out and flash the pipes out and replace the head?

[@PoolSchooler]

Sorry, that's not in my wheel house. So I really couldn't comment or advise.

[@goodlife916]

My pop up popped out of it’s socket. I bought a new pop up and the tool and put it back in, 3 times now, but it keeps popping back out every morning when the pop ups start their cleaning cycle. Not sure if im doing something wrong or if the in floor socket for the pop up is broken and need to be replaced. It’s only happening to that one pop up. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@goodlife916 you’re right on track with what you’re thinking. Either you are not getting it fully aged in the sleeve that it goes into or the sleeve that it fits into is indeed worn out, and that requires a little bit more work. Typically, they have to drain the pool and then go in and reinstall a new sleeve, which usually requires some excavation of the old one.

[@goodlife916]

@@PoolSchooler Thank you for responding. I was afraid of that. I finally dove in with googles to better evaluate it and turns out there a small pebble lodged pretty tight in there. Used a screw driver to scape and dislodged it and now it fit in perfectly. No more popping out. Thanks. I gave you a follow. Learning so much from your posts.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@goodlife916 whew that’s good to hear. I’m happy that it wasn’t anything worse. Thank you for your kind comments and encouraging words.

[@billscoltock5346]

I have a caretaker 99 head that keeps popping out what can I do to make it stay in. I have bought a on and off connector

[@PoolSchooler]

It could be that the locking tabs on the head are compromised or broken or that the sleep it locks into is busted. Check the head first for cracks etc and then look into the socket it fits into, if that's broken then I'd suggest calling caretaker rep to come out and replace that socket.

[@billscoltock5346]

@@PoolSchooler thanks for the advice

[@bertneumaier8636]

Very helpful!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and share it with everyone you know who owns a pool.

[@dinodominguez1571]

Do you work in Phx AZ? Are you taking new clients?

[@PoolSchooler]

Unfortunately I'm not taking on any more clients. Sorry

[@Meche697]

How do you set the pressure/flow for a pool?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@Meche697 i’m not sure what you’re asking. Do you mean the return Flo to the returns?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@Meche697 this video might help. Pool Plumbing: Understanding the Return Side of Your Pool kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmLGm6qio92ppZo

[@Meche697]

@@PoolSchooler set the pressure for the pool pop-ups to operate correctly, at the lowest flow for energy savings. The ones on the steps need less pressure than the deep end...deep end has all the head pressure.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@Meche697 typically you don’t try to set the pressure nor can you set the pressure to vary at each area. When it comes to your pop-up system, you want the majority of your return flow to go to the pop-ups. And if you have a variable speed pump you need the pump to run at least at 3000 to 3200 RPM to provide enough pressure for them to work adequately.

[@estebangarcia7918]

3 of my popup heads wont go all the way down like the rest. So water keeps running thru them. They still move freely and rotate when it's their turn. What do you think could be the problem? Should I replace the heads?

[@PoolSchooler]

There could be a couple reasons for that. My first thought in the process is that the heads need to be replaced. So that’s a good starting point. Secondly, it’s possible that your pop-up system actuator is not closing completely on that section which is why the heads are staying up. You might want to check the actuator flaps for each section to see if they are closing completely.

[@Valadezfamila]

How can I contact you to service my pool?

[@PoolSchooler]

Email me at [e-mail] let me know what city you’re in in the nearest cross streets and I can let you know if I service that area.

[@daryltalley8242]

Thank you for advice!

[@PoolSchooler]

They are. Every time they drop they usually turn slightly so that after several "cycles" they have made a full 360°. You can tell if they're not by simply looking for the spray pattern (or missed areas of dirt around the pop up. Hope you'll subscribe and share my channel and please check out my membership website poolschooler.com

[@jacksepticgirltaylor4939]

Help I have a pop up head that is hanging out but it won’t come out

[@PoolSchooler]

You may have to swim down and remove it by hand. Or it's possible the bottom of the head has broken off and it's stuck in the fitting on the bottom of the pool. In this case I may consider calling a pro to come out and take care of it. OR if your system is under warranty you may be able to get them to take care of it. But this is yet another reason I'm not a fan of pop up systems.

[@noahtheark]

So just bought a house with a pool there is no pop up heads just sockets everything looks good and water pumps thru. So how do I identify what type of pop-up heads I need to get.

[@PoolSchooler]

Best way to do it is take a picture of the actuator for the pop-up heads and one of the empty sockets in the pool. And take it to a local pool supply and they should be able to tell you. What kind you you have. Two words of caution. First, if all the pop up heads are missing and there’s just Halls. There is a possibility that the sleeves inside the holes that are notched in such a way as to hold the pop up heads in place under pressure might be worn out or broken in which case you may not be able to get any papa pads to stay in there. But you won’t know until you install the heads and run it under pressure. And secondly, you’re going to have to figure out if the actuator that basically opens up each section of the pop-up heads for that they can clean is functioning properly. If the heads stay in and the actuator is good, you should be fine.

[@bdkbdk8005]

@Pool School Thank you so much for this content!! Really helpful and much appreciated!

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for the comment and please do subscribe to and share my channel.

[@GankMamaElite]

I know this is a stretch, but do they sell heads to cover a converted pop up system? They're just water returns now. And it's ugly just having all these empty holes in the pool.

[@PoolSchooler]

I wish they did, makes total sense but I’ve looked for something like that and have not found them. You would think they would at least sell some type of click in cap that would just cover the hole but I have not seen anything like that. but I agree with you 100%

[@gabrieltobar1868]

This is a very well explained video Thank you!

[@PoolSchooler]

Gabriel Tobar I am glad you found it helpful. Thank you for your kind comment. And please do subscribe to and share my channel.

[@lanetteramey3586]

Do you have a video for troubleshooting common issues? Seems like if you start having issues, could be cleaning pump, actuator, or heads. How do you start determining source of issue?

[@PoolSchooler]

I currently don't have a video on that as it pertains to the pop up cleaning systems. But I can certainly do one. Videos like that are tricky since to be somewhat comprehensive they can end up being really long (which people won't stay and watch) or, in the interest of brevity I omit something that could be a part or the whole problem. But I will definitely put it on my list of videos. Make sure you subscribe and turn on your notifications for my channel so that when I do that video and post it you won't miss it.

[@rogerxcohn]

I have the 2 prong type. I purchased the expensive metal removal tool. Worth it. But the valves are stuck. they won't turn. After 1 hour and blisters on my hands I got 2 of the pop up heads out. Any suggestions on how to get them out easier when stuck. I have the pump off while doing this

[@PoolSchooler]

One good way is to run motor so when the flow goes to that head, the pressure will pop it out (providing you "unlocked it")

[@rogerxcohn]

@@PoolSchooler That's the problem...unlocking the heads. They just won't turn. Probably because I never removed them since the pool was built 15 years ago. Thanks anyway

[@PoolSchooler]

@@rogerxcohn Or they could have been cemented or bonded in. I had a client who had just bought a house and the previous owner had glued the pop up heads into the holes. We had to drain the pool and break them out. Then we patched the holes with plaster filler.

[@descendantoffools9767]

When they've been in for years they can be hard to remove. Not sure what system you have, there are many manufacturers, but with most it helps if you can push down hard while turning. And move it slightly in one direction, then back like you're trying to tighten it. What happens is grit is in there and as the head is turning the grit has no where to go and it makes it even tighter. So if you turn it back in the other direction whatever grit broke loose can clear out.

[@rogerxcohn]

@@PoolSchooler I don't think they were cemented in. I've gotten 3 out now. Just takes a lot of effort. I'm using gloves so I don't get more blisters. Ha. Just no shortcut. I guess have to keep at it. thanks to all suggestions

[@SuperGreenSamurai]

My pop up heads are very old and stuck, I'm having trouble getting them out with the tool. Any suggestions?

[@PoolSchooler]

You may have to pry them out (which may mean you'd have to drain your pool to get to them). Or, have you considered converting your pool to a suction side vacuum. I did a video on it. Heres' the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYTJk4GsadiJla8

[@draylewis1929]

Would you lose water in your spa if the pop up got stuck in the up position and didn't go back down?

[@PoolSchooler]

You shouldn't as long as you have a functioning check valve.

[@lukeking8363]

Hi @Pool School, Quick question: my pool has 4 zones of heads. Recently water flow returning to the pool comes out only from one zone. Can you please tell what could be the cause and how to fix the issue? Thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

Sounds like you have a bad actuator. It might be something you would want to call a pro on the actuator is basically the distribution center for the return flow to your pop-ups. And very often the plastic gears get jammed up or wear out think like an old mechanical clock. They make rebuild kits for those that replaces all the gears and typically that’s why your pop-ups are getting stuck on one station before you do that see if there is a “pause“ toggle or feature for your pop of actuators sometimes that pause lever is engage and I could stop it as well. If you send me via email a video of your pop up system an actuator I might be able to help you further

[@lisacrockett5302]

@@PoolSchoolerI am having the same issue! But when I turn on my waterfall for a couple of minutes then turn the waterfall off, the pool cycles through all of the zones, then stays on that one zone again. Thoughts?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@lisacrockett5302 sounds like something is going wrong with your actuator. It’s the distribution station for all of the pop-up head sections. You could have a gear that has a tooth that’s gone bad so it gets stuck, but there’s definitely something wrong and I would start with the actuator. Maybe just replacing the guts of it would help.

[@lisacrockett5302]

@@PoolSchooler thanks!! Appreciate the response.

[@karlfreienmuth6320]

In the 20+ years I've had a popup system, the head has never blown out of the socket, that was correctly inserted. Just an observation. Sure the head wears out and will not rotate correctly, but a restricted water pressure will prevent head from turning as well. If the heads at the deeper end have been loosened and wont come out, turn on the pump and it will blow the heads out. Again, a original owner of a popup system, and yes, if your NOT the original owner, parts are crazy expensive. Gold is what they think there selling. Thank you for the info...

[@PoolSchooler]

Good comment and suggestion. Thanks for the comment.

[@CRNFLK77]

Most of mine have popped out already. Just cuz it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it NEVER happens

[@gilbertbenavidez3890]

When removing do I leave the pump on or off?

[@PoolSchooler]

Absolutely turn the pump off.

[@ralphpalomino]

How often should I replace pop head. What’s the life span of pop ups

[@PoolSchooler]

The life of the head really depends. If you're the original owner of the pool then they should be covered for life.

[@kokob793]

Can I use a jandy cl580 to replace a pcc 130 the only major difference is the height by less than an inch.

[@billdehr9978]

Hey Pool School. Quick question. I have 3 zones of heads in my pool. 2 of the zones are working perfectly, the third zone, the heads only pop up about 3/4 of the way. If I nudge one a little, then all of that zone pop up the rest of the way. Doesn't seem to matter which of the ones I nudge. Do you think I need to replace them or do you think it might be something else? Thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

Probably could be due to two different reasons. One could be there’s not enough return pressure going to your pop-up system. So try dedicating more return pressure or water flow to your pop-up system. If that doesn’t work you might need to replace those heads in that zone. I might guess that the zone you’re having issue with has more heads on it than the other two zones am I correct

[@billdehr9978]

@@PoolSchooler yep, you were correct. This zone has 5 heads vs 4 heads in the other 2 zones. I increased the pump RPM by 10% (2750 to 3000) and all is well. Thanks!

[@douglasbailey9055]

thanks. replaced one it wentbeasy , but the second oneI'm trying to remove Is stuck solid. I broke the removal prongs. any other ideas?

[@douglasbailey9055]

debris in the slot that takes the 2 prong. it took swim goggles and a pair of needlenose plyers. junk removed . worked fine. thanks

[@DrBillRamsayDrTerrorEyes]

Looking for brand of popup head in your hand in video.

[@PoolSchooler]

I believe that is a MagnaSweep pop up head made by A&A

[@marioa9350]

How do replace a broken pop up head?

[@PoolSchooler]

If the head alone is broken, then it’s the same way I described in the video you use the tool to pop it out twisting it and it should come out if the hole and the flange that it fits into is broken that’s a whole different situation. You have to basically replace the fitting and that’s pretty involved. I suggest hiring a professional to do that.

[@marioa9350]

@Pool School I appreciate the response. I applied the tool and the plastic is falling apart as I attempt to make the quarter turn. I'm assuming these are the original heads with many years on them

[@PoolSchooler]

@@marioa9350 but it’s just the head not the sleeve that it inserts into? If it’s just a head, you should be able to pull the pieces out with the needle nose pliers. As long as the sleeve is intact you should be OK to replace it with a new one.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@marioa9350 but it’s just the head not the sleeve that it inserts into? If it’s just a head, you should be able to pull the pieces out with the needle nose pliers. As long as the sleeve is intact you should be OK to replace it with a new one.

[@LuisRodriguez-py4un]

How many different types of heads are there? What you were just working with did not appear as the Caretaker type, which uses a similar but different tool.

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm actually not sure how many types there are.

[@79SteelyMatt]

No such thing as a lifetime warranty on pool accessories good luck getting anybody to come out for free most places that installed them are gone or will not fix for free-the system doesn’t work after about ten years and the heads are really expensive and most pool stores don’t even know what you are talking about-SCP or Superior or PEP would be the only places that would know or have them

[@PoolSchooler]

You are 100% correct.

[@andrewdillard5961]

Very cool. Been servicing pools for awhile and had no idea about the rotation part of it. Thx for the video!