Bob, a good job in replacing the pool pump. Won't Liane assist you in lifting things? I replaced our Hayward 'smart-pump' before COVID, this time, instead of just buying one from Pinch-a-Penny (pool supplies, if people don't know) at a cost well-above $1K, I bought it online for about $400 less. It was a same-size/model (but 'updated,' whatever they do, probably jack-up the chassis and slip-in a higher pricetag) so the swap-out went easily, I also like and use unions. Some people don't like 'em, I buy quality fittings, ensure all surfaces are clean, and they don't cause me issues.
The Hayward has what I believe to be a ceramic bearing/seal, the old 'smart-pump' had that eventually leak, and it messed-up the motor. The strainer basket was OK, but in taking it apart, one of the brass inserts in the strainer basket parted-company with the PVC, so it all went to recycling/trash. I suppose that if I kept a better eye on the ceramic bearing/seal, I could replace it once I saw it begin to fail. However, to see that, you need to separate the motor from the pump. Maybe just deciding to replace it in say, 5 years, would be a part of preventative maintenance. I asked at Pinch-a-Penny about the replacement cost, parts/labor, and it was about 1/4 the cost of the pump/motor purchased online. That seemed excessive. Oh well, it's working fine, I think it's about 1-1/2 years old now, I'll keep an eye on it and see if I spot any issues develop.
We also this year purchased a new pool robot, I bought a replacement Hayward Navigator, which I think does OK. We tried a Great White, but the vibration from it could be heard/felt throughout the entire house. It was like being a block-away from someone running a 100-lb pneumatic jackhammer, if you had the Great White in the pool. No thanks!
The old Hayward Navigator pool cleaning robot, I'd replaced various parts in it, and when the body developed a long crack, I decided to replace it. I think it lasted about 10 years. I suspect I spent about 1/2 the cost of a new one during that time on replacement parts, but things like the 'wings' and the rubber, silicone or whatever they are, 'feet,' are wear items. The paired bearings on levers which articulate the moving side 'pods' to walk the robot across the pool seem to last maybe a year and a half.
The pool I believe to be ~17,000 gallons, I buy the pool chlorine 60 gal. at a time, and the pool needs more attention/chemicals in the rainy season. Our local grandkids love the pool, and the 3 y.o. has become a decent swimmer, to our relief. Dusk sends any mosquitos into a feeding frenzy, so be out by then.
We have some of the SS can lights on the front and the side of our home, I like 'em, and the silicone ribbed ('for your pleasure!' oh, wait...) gaskets do keep rain and bugs out, the roof soffit keeps them dry. I use 'daylight' wavelength bulbs, and with illumination from the top and bottom, it's an attractive architectural appearance. At the pool deck, we have nautical-look SS lamps, the kind with wire cages, the glass looks like a football missing the pointed ends. They get the same bulbs.
The pool is great for relief from working in the yard.
That was a fortunate find on the proper screw thread for the grease fitting on your valving for the sprinklers. We have two Ace Hardware stores within two miles, so a run to the hardware store isn't too-bad, and Big Orange is < 3 miles.
