Start a Weekly Pool Cleaning Routine

It is so easy and tempting to forgo cleaning your pool, especially in the hot summer months when you are most anxious to enjoy it. However, a dirty pool is not only unsightly but also potentially hazardous to your health. Like most household chores that we find unpleasant, if we simply make the effort to maintain a level of cleanliness on a regular basis, it gets done quicker and with the last amount of effort.

If done weekly, you can have a pool cleaning routine that takes a very minimal amount of time. Skim all floating debris from the surface of the pool and empty the skimmer basket. Vacuum the bottom of the pool moving in overlapping lanes; do only half of the pool at a time if it is too wide for one sweeping lane. With the pool brush attached to the vacuum pole, remove any algae off the sides of the pool. While this may seem like a never-ending process, the average time to vacuum a pool really only takes about thirty minutes.

You should also test the pool chemistry weekly, correcting the pH and chlorine levels as needed. If you are uncomfortable with this process, have your local professional pool service company instruct you on maintaining proper chemical levels in your pool. Next, you’ll want to turn the filter valve to backwash in order to redirect the dirty water into the waste line; empty the filter bag if you have one. After shutting off the system and closing the skimmer valve in front of the pump, clean out the hair and lint catcher by unscrewing the trap’s cover and removing the basket. Finally, refill the pool with water if the level is less than half way up the well of the skimmer’s mouth. Now, happy swimming!

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools LLC

Common Pool Maintenance Mistakes

Maintaining a pool isn’t difficult but many homeowners do not realize that regular pool maintenance is necessary to keep their pools sparkling clean.  Here are the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to caring for their pools.

  •  Not checking the chemicals often enough.  It is important that you check your pool’s chemistry frequently during the season of use.  The chemistry changes over time and often needs small adjustments rather than waiting for a major adjustment.
  • Not replacing or repairing missing or broken parts.  Missing drains can become a hazard as well as fences or gates that need repaired.  Gate locks that do not work properly also need to be replaced.
  • Not cleaning the pool pump often enough.  When debris and hair or lint get trapped in the pump, they can prevent it from functioning correctly.
  • Allowing the pH to get too high.  It should always stay below 8.0 for the best effectiveness.  The correct pH allows the chlorine to work to its full potential.
  • Not keeping the alkalinity at the right level.  It should stay between 80 and 140 PPM.  When it gets to the wrong level, it can keep your sanitizer from performing.
  • Not removing debris from the pool quickly.  Whether it is leaves or other natural items or things left behind by swimmers that end up in the pool, it is important to remove them from the pool as soon as possible.  Certain items can prove to be a swimming hazard and all of them can alter your pool’s chemical balance.

You can hire a pool service company to clean and maintain the pool for you.  They can schedule the pool cleaning and maintenance according to your needs so that you  your only job is to enjoy the pool!

Make the Most of Your Pool with Pool Service

If you are the owner of a property with a pool, whether it is for personal use in the home or as a public facility within a hotel or residential building, and do not currently use a pool service you may not be getting the most benefits out of it.

A pool is a great and luxurious addition to many properties but proper pool cleaning and maintenance can be a burden.  Not only is it important to keep the water clean and clear but there is also a lot of equipment such as pumps and filters that require regular maintenance in order to keep in good condition. Neglecting a pool can lead to problems such as leakages and poor water condition can lead to health issues. Ultimately if you fail to take good care of your pool, the costs will be high in the long run.

Part of the premise of having a pool in your home is that it is a feature that will provide you with a comfortable place to sit and relax in the evenings or cool off on a hot weekends. Maybe you want to be able to share the area with friends or have some fun with family, either way in order to do so, the pool needs be in fully working order with clean and properly balanced water. This can be a headache of owning a pool but with the use of a pool service you have the confidence that the pool is properly maintained all year round, so you can sit back and enjoy your pool rather than have to worry about it.

Why You Need to Hire a Pool Service

A swimming pool can be a very relaxing and refreshing treatment after a long, hard day at work. However, no one wants to maintain their pool. In many instances, it causes more of a migraine than your boss did at work that day. Therefore, a pool service professional may be just what you need.

By hiring a pool service company to handle the cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool, you can rest assured that your pool will be regularly maintained all year. Your pool can be checked regularly for the right amount of chemicals and can be shocked whenever necessary by someone who is knowledgeable in performing such treatments. A pool service company will keep all the bugs and leaves out of your pool while ensuring that all the pool and filters remain clean at all times.

Without regular preventative maintenance on your pool, you could run into a multitude of problems. Not only can your pool become damaged, but the pool equipment – such as the pump – can become damaged and fail as well. In addition, with a pool service professional checking on your pool regularly, he can spot any irregularities or malfunctions so that they can be fixed immediately before any further damage can be done.

When it comes to keeping your pool water crystal clear and sparkling clean, the best thing you can do is hire a pool service company. A pool service professional knows exactly what needs to be done to keep your water clear, clean and ready to use. If you do not have time to handle the upkeep of your pool maintenance or just simply do not want to mess with the headache of it, give your local pool service company a call.

Automatic Swimming Pool Fillers

Your swimming pool can lose several inches of water every week through evaporation and even more during periods of heavy pool usage.  It is very important to keep your pool filled to the proper level.  If the pool water level falls below the skimmer, your pump will no longer be able to draw water from the pool.  Not only will the skimmer and filter not be able to function properly, but your pump may be damaged due to cavitation caused by air entering the pump.

It is also important that the pool water level not be too high.  The water level should fall in the middle of the skimmer.  If the water level is too high, the skimmer will not be able to trap leaves, pine needles, and other floating debris.  Keeping you pool water at the right level can be a hassle, especially when you are busy with other concerns or if you will be away from home for more than a few days.

Many pools have automatic filling devices that add water when the level drops too low.  These systems relieve pool owners from the task of adding water every few days make pool cleaning and maintenance easier.  If your pool is not equipped with an automatic filling device, your pool service may add water as part of their service calls.  However, many pool services do not add water because of liability concerns.  Even your pool service adds water, they may not schedule service calls often enough to ensure proper water levels.

An excellent solution is an automatic pool filler (also called pool minders or water levelers) that rests on the edge of the pool.  These automatic pool fillers can be purchased at most pool supply stores for about $100. Simply connect a standard garden hose and attach the automatic pool filler to the edge of the pool.  The device will automatically add water whenever your pool falls below a preset level.