Top 5 Most Common Mistakes Pool Owners Make~5 min read

When the weather heats up there is no better place to cool off and relax than your own swimming pool and the memories created with you, your children, and eventually your grandchildren are certainly priceless. Just as most things in life that are valuable and enjoyable, ownership comes with a price and a responsibility. Today, however, with a properly designed and outfitted pool, the seemingly endless tasks of old have long been eliminated by technology that has automated many processes. We employ all that are available and they are included in our basic package, but still there are items beyond our control. If you are not inclined to do these or don’t have the time, we do offer weekly service and we can ensure that all the following are tended to: 

#1. Not running your pump long enough.

The operation of your pump is critical to the operation of just about everything else related to your pool your filter, heater, automatic pool cleaner, and chlorinator will not work unless your pump is operating efficiently. The basic pump that we install and the one that is mandatory in many states today is a “Variable-Speed” pump. We highly recommend operating your pump year-round, 24 hrs. per day. Variable speed pumps allow you to set the rpm’s (revolutions per minute) from the pumps top speed of 3,450 rpm’s to less than half of that. This reduces the Amperage required to operate your pump and consequently the utility costs. Savings of 75% are common with the added benefit of constant filtration and chlorination. If you have a pool that does not have a variable-speed pump, purchasing one will return your full investment in a very short period of time.

#2. Not maintaining the proper water level in your pool.

When the water level in your pool is at or near the bottom of your tile line, the pump begins to draw air (instead of water) into your circulating system through your pool “Skimmers” (most pools have 2, ours always do). This causes your pump to lose its “prime.” When the pump loses its prime, water is no longer moving through the circulating system and none of your equipment is working.

CAUTION: The water inside of your pump housing can reach over 200 degrees if your pump runs for an extended period of time without a “prime.” The heat and the steam created can melt piping, fittings, and your pump. If you open the pump strainer, SCALDING WATER CAN SPRAY OUT WITH DISASTEROUS RESULTS!!! Never open the strainer housing on your pump if you even think that this condition might exist. Turn the pump off and wait for the water to cool before opening the pump strainer housing. All of the pools that we have installed in the last few years are equipped with automatic fill devices. Again, if you do not have an Autofill device, this will save you much time, aggravation, and trouble.

#3. Not adding pH adjustment chemicals to your pool water.

Salt chlorination raises the pH of your water. If you don’t add enough muriatic acid to your pool water on weekly basis, YOU WILL DEVELOP SCALE. Scale will appear as white streaks and encrustations on your pool plaster. This will be especially troublesome on colored plaster pools. Tablet Chlorine, on the other hand, reduces the pH, making your water acidic. This is worse, in our opinion, which is one of the main reasons why for 30 years now we have used Salt-Water Chlorinating Systems. Acid water will burn your eyes, bleach your hair, dry out your skin, and it will, in time, dissolve everything it comes in contact with.

#4. Not Cleaning Your Filter and/or Strainer Baskets.

As your filter gets dirtier, the pressure gauge on the top of your filter will register a higher and higher pressure (make sure that your gauge is operational and accurate). The filter should be cleaned before the gauge registers ten pounds higher than the “start-up” or “clean” filter pressure. As your filter gets dirtier, the flow to your pool is decreased, and it gets harder for your pump to push water through. The result is higher operating cost, due to the increased resistance to flow that your pump experiences, and reduced filtration efficiency. In addition, less chlorine is added to your pool, there is less dispersion of chemicals, and less skimming action. Left unattended, your filter will cease to function.

Sand filters, after two or three years, should have the media visually inspected. It is normal to have the sand removed and replaced due to being saturated with oils that are not removed by backwashing. Cartridge filters (the elements) should also be inspected and cleaned at least every 3 months, and, like sand filters, will get contaminated with body oils and should be replaced at least every 4-5 years.

Your pump strainer basket, skimmer baskets, and your salt cell should be changed on a regular basis. Neglecting these items will also cause serious consequences. Just as the filter being clogged and dirty impedes the flow of water and the efficiency of the whole system, so too is the same effect if these items are not maintained.

#5. Not testing your water.

This is one of the “golden rules” of pool ownership – you CANNOT determine the condition of your pool water simply by looking at it. Of course, if your water is cloudy or green, it certainly needs attention. But did you know that your water can be hazardous to your health, even if it “looks” good? Weekly testing of your water, followed up by monthly testing by your local pool chemical store, is the only way to keep your water up. A little time and money spent on adjustment chemicals can save you lots of money in the long run.

Basic testing of Chlorine levels and pH is important, but just as important is testing the level of your pool stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid), Total Alkalinity, Total Dissolved Solids, your “Free chlorine” levels and to detect the build-up of any metals in the water such as iron and copper. Your local pool store is the best way to have these levels tested professionally. If you stick to the basics, you won’t need any exotic products such as algaecides and water clarifiers.