Summer is the peak season for residential pool owners. This is when you will discover if the maintenance tasks you performed during the previous months are worth it. The water is clean and clear and chemically balanced the way that you want it. It is ready for you, your family, and occasionally a few guests to cool off during the hot and humid summer months.
Maintenance is essential when it comes to pool ownership. A residential pool is a significant investment that can significantly increase your home’s value. You want to ensure that it’s safe to use, and that means avoiding mistakes that can affect the quality and overall safety of the water.
There are many common pool maintenance mistakes that you shouldn’t make as a pool owner. Here are a few you should particularly avoid if you want to spare yourself the expense of pool repairs in Atlanta this summer.
Not Cleaning Regularly
One of the most common pool maintenance mistakes is among the easiest to avoid. Brushing the pool walls and tile may appear obvious, but you may neglect to do it regularly. Failing to do it can cause calcium deposits to form, which can be difficult to remove once it hardens and will require a pool cleaning specialist to do the job. Scrubbing the walls and tiles should be done weekly. Don’t overlook the corners, ladders, and stairs.
Not Testing the Water
Pool water requires regular testing to ensure the pH level is safe for swimmers. If the pH level is high, the water contains too much acidity, meaning the water could irritate the skin. A low pH level could cause eye irritation. Your task as a pool owner is to ensure that the pH levels are optimal, and that means testing the saltwater or chlorine water once a week and adjusting the pH level if needed.
Not Shocking the Pool
The more often your pool is used, the greater the likelihood for contaminants in the water to build up over time. Bacteria, body oils, and other organic material can make your pool water cloudy and must be dealt with. Chlorinating your pool clears up the cloudiness, gets rid of the contaminants, and prevents the growth of algae and other living organisms without affecting the pH balance. You should apply the chlorine shock late in the evening or at night for best results. Ask an expert in swimming pool care in Atlanta about the best chlorine shock to use and how to use it.
Not Draining Every Few Years
It isn’t unusual to keep a pool filled with water year-round. Draining the pool completely and filling it with saltwater or chlorinated water can be pricey, but it is a necessary maintenance expense. Chemicals, organic materials, minerals, dirt, and debris will find their way into your pool and remain there despite your best cleaning and chlorination efforts. You should test regularly for dissolved solids to prevent clouding of the water and potential corrosion to lights, metal pipes, and ladders. Draining your pool every four or five years is an effective way to deal with the problem.
Regular maintenance is important to keep the pool at your home clean and safe to use. Avoid common maintenance mistakes and you can ensure calls for pool repairs in Atlanta will be minimal and that your pool will be inviting to your family and guests for years to come. Contact Sunrise Pool Services, reputable specialists in swimming pools in Atlanta, about maintenance advice and the right chemicals for the best results.