It’s that time of year again – time to get the pool in shape for the summer season! Below are some quick tips to help ensure that your swim season gets off to a great start.
- Look around and check for signs of leaks in the plumbing, wetness around the pump motor or on the concrete pad.
- Make sure you have good circulation of water in your pump basket – it should be filled with water.
- Test your water for the level of total dissolved solids (TDS), such as calcium, in the water to determine whether you need to drain and refill your pool. Arizona’s water is so “hard” (laden with calcium and minerals) that the buildup can prevent your pool chemicals from doing their job. In some cases, the TDS levels are so high that a pool needs draining and refilling with clean water that will respond to the chemicals in appropriate amounts. Pools usually need to be drained every three to five years, as TDS levels get high over time.
- If your pool is salt-chlorinated, check salt levels and clean the cells regularly, especially if the salt system stops producing when the weather cools off (most stop automatically at about 55 degrees). Raise the chlorine level above 5.0. The shock will oxidize “dead” material that the chlorine has killed, such as bacteria and algae.
Once you have checked your pool for leaks and have the chemicals in order, it’s just as important to maintain its upkeep.
- If you don’t have a pool service, devote time every week to a thorough cleaning of the pool, which involves netting out the debris, vacuuming, brushing the pool down, emptying the skimmer and pump baskets, and chemically treating the water. A great helper is an automatic pool cleaner.
- Most likely your pool pump runs all year, so maintenance on it should be ongoing.
- Inspect the strainer basket regularly for cracks, which can let debris pass through.
- It is also important to maintain the chemical balance in addition to cleaning filters every few months depending on the filter size and environmental surroundings.
- Finally, have the tile cleaned of the heavy calcium build up every few years. Algae sometimes grows underneath the scale and can cause problems in the pool.
The best things to do to solve the majority of problems are:
- Keep fresh water in the pool.
- Make sure filters are clean.
- Make sure there is good water circulation in the pool.
- Make sure chemicals are balanced.
- Run the filter for a long period of time at higher speed if you have a variable or dual speed motor.
Read other blog posts about home maintenance tips:
- Refresh Your Window Screens
- Floor Cleaning & Maintenance – Recommendations
- 10 Ways to Go Green in Tucson
- Replacing Natural Grass with Artificial Grass
- Saving Water (and Your Sanity) with a Shower Manager for Your Kids
- Do Ceiling Fans Cool Your Room?
- Repairing an AC Unit During a Tucson Heatwave
- How to Unclog Your Shower Head
- Termites in Tucson are Common but Treatable
- Maintaining Fascia & Wood Surfaces
Stephen has made real estate his full-time career and passion since 2008, primarily specializing in the Foothills & the Northwest Tucson areas of Oro Valley and Marana. He is a multi-million dollar producer, representing both sellers & buyers. Stephen has tremendous experience in new home sales, listing & selling primary residences, listing & selling vacant land, listing & selling luxury homes, investment properties, rentals, and real estate development parcels.
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