Guides & cross-reference notes
How these parts actually fail, and what replaces them.
Fitment guides, cross-reference charts and repair notes for Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, Sta-Rite and Zodiac equipment — written by the people who mould the parts, not by a copywriter.
- 01 · Worn lid O-ringCause: Dry run · Result: Leak
- 02 · Cracked lidCause: Over-tightening · Result: Cracks / leaks
- 03 · Impeller wearCause: Cavitation · Result: Low flow
- 42Technical guides
- 20Repair & service
- 22Sourcing & trade
- FactoryWritten by makers
42 guides
September 7, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Sample Before You Commit: How to Run a Fitment Validation on an Aftermarket Part
A sample tells you almost nothing if you only look at it. Here is the eight-step check that actually predicts whether a part will come back as a return.
September 4, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Seasonal Stocking for Pool Distributors: What to Buy in Q4 for the Spring Rush
Ocean freight and production lead times mean spring stock is a Q4 decision. Ordering in February is ordering for June.
September 2, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Why Some Aftermarket Parts Fail Early: Five Failure Modes and How to Screen for Them
Aftermarket parts that fail rarely fail randomly. Five patterns account for almost all of it, and four of the five are visible before you place a volume order.
August 31, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Factory Direct vs Trading Company: How to Tell Which One You Are Talking To
Almost every supplier claims to be a factory. Six questions separate the ones that mould parts from the ones that forward your email to someone who does.
August 28, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Sea vs Air for Pool Parts: Cost Per Unit, Lead Time and When Air Actually Pays
Air freight is the expensive fix for a planning failure, except in the cases where it is simply the right answer. Knowing which is which is arithmetic.
August 26, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Private-Label Pool Parts: What You Can and Cannot Put Your Brand On
Private label is mostly a packaging decision, not a manufacturing one. Knowing which of the two you are buying changes what you should pay for it.
August 24, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
When an Aftermarket Part Should NOT Be Used: Gas Trains, Safety Devices and Certification
There are parts we will not quote, and the reasons are worth understanding whoever you buy from. Certification boundaries do not care who made the part.
August 21, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
What MOQ Really Means in Pool Parts Sourcing — and How to Negotiate Mixed Cartons
The MOQ number a factory quotes is less important than what it is attached to. Per SKU, per order or per carton produces completely different working capital.
August 19, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 4 min read
The 80/20 of Pool Parts Inventory: Which SKUs Cover Most Service Calls
A small number of parts account for most of what a service company actually replaces. Identifying yours is a query you can run today, not a guess.
August 17, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Aftermarket vs OEM Pool Parts: What Actually Differs, and Where It Does Not
The honest answer is that it depends entirely on which part you are talking about. Here is where the difference is real, where it is marketing, and where aftermarket is simply better value.
August 14, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
Pool Heater Parts: The Category Most Distributors Under-Stock
Heater parts are the widest gap between what breaks and what is on the shelf. Gaskets and headers are the practical entry point, and electronic controls are the trap.
August 12, 2026 · Sourcing & trade · 5 min read
How to Vet an Aftermarket Pool Parts Manufacturer: A 12-Point Checklist
Most supplier problems are visible before the first order, if you ask the right twelve questions. Here is the checklist we would use on ourselves.