Pools are the ultimate summer backyard getaway. However, a pool does require a lot of labor, and you might be thinking that it’s something you can do all on your own. However, a trusted pool professional can make a big difference between a blue pool or a green disaster.
Pool Servicing
The process of pool servicing can be labor intensive. Every few days a pool must be skimmed for debris. A pool must also be vacuumed and scrubbed regularly to keep it clean and free of stains. The pool pH balance must be checked regularly as well in order to maintain the proper alkalinity, in order to keep algae and bacteria from building up. A pool’s circulation system and filters must also be checked regularly to ensure that they remain in good working order. You must be able to devote 2-4 hours a month to the cleaning, plus an additional 2 hours a month to chemical maintenance. A busy summer schedule can make it difficult to find the time to perform this critical maintenance and care.
Seasonal pool maintenance can also be a hassle. Every winter, a pool must be thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed, drained partway, and covered to ensure that it lasts many seasons and years. A professional can ensure these steps are taken and properly done, to maximize the longevity of your investment. After all, a new in-ground pool can cost upwards of $70,000 to install, and then the electricity and water costs can really add up over time.
Risks of Improper Pool Servicing
All of these things are important. If proper servicing isn’t performed, the pool’s lifespan can be cut in half—or even more! Up to 75% of a pool’s longevity can be destroyed by bad maintenance. Leaks must be patched, filters and filtration systems need to be replaced and repaired, and proper chemical balance MUST be maintained.
The chemical balance is more important than all the rest! The high alkalinity of a pool ensures that bacteria and algae do not bloom and turn your pool a toxic green. Algae is a hassle, but the real danger lies in the bacteria that can live in a green pool. E. coli, salmonella, shigella (which causes dysentery) and norovirus (which causes diarrhea).
Green pools require quite a process to fix. First the pH of the water must be lowered. A super shock chlorine must be added. a high-potency flocculent must be used to loosen algae from the pool walls so it can be vacuumed, and then an algaecide must be added to kill off any remaining algae. Proper pool maintenance can prevent the pool from going green in the first place.
Seasonal and Weather-related Maintenance
Seasonal pool servicing can be complicated. In the summer, chlorine reacts to the sunlight and dissipates, leaving your pool vulnerable to algae blooms and bacteria. Checking the pH every few days and adjusting as needed will save you time and money. It is also important to remember to increase the alkalinity of the pool—most commonly done with baking soda.
In the winter, there’s a whole process of things that must be done to prepare your pool for the cold weather. The water must be balanced, the fittings, ladders and fixtures must be removed, the water level lowered (but not emptied) and the pool must be thoroughly cleaned. The plumbing must be winterized, algaecides must be added, and the pool must be covered to prevent debris entering the water.
If you live in a warmer climate where there is sunshine all year round, you may find that your weekly maintenance is actually easier. The cooler temperatures of winter mean that water levels stay regular, and chlorine doesn’t break down as readily. However, the winter in warmer climates often means heavy rains, so make sure to keep your pool area free of dirt and debris, and maintain the chemical levels in your pool very carefully, as rains can wash in harmful bacteria like E. coli.
Leaks
Another reason it’s important to get your pool serviced regularly is to prevent leaks. Evaporation is normal in a huge body of water like a pool, however if you think you might be losing more water than could be caused by normal evaporation, there are several ways to tell if you have a leak.
The easiest way to check is to take a bucket, fill it partway with water and weigh it down with rocks or bricks. Mark inside the bucket where the water level reaches. Set the bucket on the pool step so that the water levels on the inside and outside are the same. Wait 24-48 hours, and if the water levels are the same, then your water loss is due to evaporation. If they are drastically different, you have a leak.
You can try to patch a leak yourself depending on where the leak is and the severity. Check the equipment pad for wet spots, the ground for moisture or eroding areas, or look for sinking spots. All of these can indicate a leak. If your pool has a vinyl liner, check the liner for cracks or tears around the fittings and lights. Once you’ve ascertained that you have a leak, the next step is to find out where it is. turn off the filtration system and see where the water level stops falling. If it’s around the filtration system, then that’s probably where your leak is. Drop some dye test solution or your pH test reagent near where you think the leak is, making sure that the water is still and the filtration system is off. See if the dye is sucked into the crack.
Protecting Your Investment
Regular professional pool servicing can seem like a rather daunting expense, and finding a good local serviceperson can seem like trouble that you don’t need to go to. But a pool is a big expense, and a professional can help you ensure that you get the best performance and lifespan out of your investment.
