Facts recorded Oct 25, 2026 from the manufacturer sources linked below. Follow your model's manual; this site isn't a substitute for it, and it isn't legal advice.
Emergencies first
- You smell gas: Pentair's MasterTemp heater guide says don't try to light any appliance, don't touch electrical switches or use a phone in your building, call your gas supplier from a neighbor's phone, and call the fire department if you can't reach the supplier.
- Carbon monoxide symptoms near a gas heater (dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, sleepiness and others the guide lists): the same guide says to turn off the pool heater, leave the area, get into fresh air immediately, and have a gas professional test the heater before it runs again.
- Electric shock risk (a GFCI that trips by itself, damaged wiring): stop using the equipment and call a licensed electrician.
Source: Pentair MasterTemp Pool and Spa Heater Installation and User's Guide
Electrical: call a licensed electrician
- Before any maintenance, Pentair says to turn off the breaker for the pool pump and confirm the system isn't running before you open a pump. Keep it off while you work (lock or tag the breaker if you can).
- GFCI: Pentair's IntelliFlo3 guide says to connect the pump only to a GFCI-protected branch circuit, to contact a qualified electrician if you can't verify the circuit is GFCI-protected, and not to use the pump if the GFCI trips on its own, because that indicates a ground current is flowing and a possible shock hazard.
- Wiring, bonding and grounding are installer or electrician work. Hayward says proper salt-system installation includes proper grounding and bonding. We don't give wiring instructions.
- Robotic cleaner power supplies and motor units: don't open them; contact the manufacturer.
Source: Pentair: 7 Servicing Tips For Variable Speed Pumps; Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF guide; Hayward: salt chlorination questions
Drains and suction outlets: call a pool professional
Pentair's pump manual warns that the suction at a drain or outlet can cause entrapment (limbs, hair, body) when a drain cover is missing, broken, loose or too small for the pump. Any work on drains, drain covers or suction outlets is for a pool professional.
Source: Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF guide
Gas heaters: call a licensed gas / pool-heater professional
- Pentair says its MasterTemp heater "must be installed and serviced by a professional service technician, qualified in pool heater installation," and that some jurisdictions require licensed installers.
- Pentair warns the exhaust contains carbon monoxide, recommends CO detectors near the heater, and says never to use the heater indoors or in partly enclosed areas without the specified ventilation system.
- Hayward says converting between natural gas and propane needs a licensed or certified gas professional, and that a leaking heat exchanger needs a Hayward service company.
- Hayward says a replacement heater's size is limited by the existing gas supply pipe.
Source: Pentair MasterTemp guide; Hayward heaters FAQ; Hayward knowledge base
Where EvenParts stops: we cover sizing, shopping and owner-level checks (settings, flow, filter). We don't cover gas valves, burners, igniters, venting, gas lines or heat exchangers.
Chemicals: protective gear and the manufacturer's steps only
- Muriatic acid is for salt-cell cleaning only, and only under the maker's steps, with gloves, eye protection and ventilation. Always add acid to water. Pentair: a 4:1 water-to-acid solution, never undiluted, no more than 30 minutes, and no pressure washer or tools on the cell blades.
- Pentair says not to use trichlor or dichlor with a salt chlorine generator and never to use dry acid (sodium bisulfate) to adjust pH.
- Jandy says to use salt that's at least 99.8% pure sodium chloride and never add salt through the skimmer, main drain or surge tank.
- Never mix chemicals. We don't give shock or pH-correction instructions beyond what the manufacturer's manual says.
Source: Pentair IntelliChlor Plus & LT guide; Jandy AquaPure
Rules every EvenParts guide follows
- Every guide has a difficulty label and a "Should you DIY? / When to call a pro" box.
- No instructions to bypass or defeat safety devices: thermal cutoffs, pressure switches, GFCIs or flow switches.
- If you're unsure, stop and call a licensed professional. It's cheaper than an injury.