Keeping the water circulating to help filter and prevent bacteria and algae growth. Checking the pool's chemical balance and pH levels. Shocking the pool to raise the free chlorine level and destroy bacteria and algae. Adding algaecide to slow down algae growth.
At California Pool Care this includes removing debris on the bottom of the pool, complete a chemical balance analysis which may require adding chlorine or other sanitizer to satisfy the pool requirements, test and adjust the chemical sanitizer levels, check the water level to be sure the pump is able to operate ...
A pool is an impressive feature of a home, but it can also be the most difficult and expensive to maintain. When it comes time to decide between DIY pool care and using a professional pool cleaning service, consider such tasks as maintaining the filter, surface skimming and chemical testing.
Pool Maintenance Cost
The average cost to maintain a pool is $80 to $150 monthly or about $960 to $1,800 yearly. For a first-time pool cleaning service, expect to spend $150 to $350 on average. The annual cost to own a pool is $3,000 to $5,000, which includes maintenance, repairs, electricity, and water.
This requires weekly to monthly maintenance, which entails detailed tasks such as scrubbing, skimming, and vacuuming, as well as checking filters, water levels, and pool chemicals. For pool owners, this type of work may require up to 2 hours to complete, especially if they lack experience or professional-grade tools.
Depending on the equipment used, cleaning a pool yourself can take up to one hour and a half and you'll need to do this weekly. However, on average most will spend 45 mins a week and a little bit of elbow grease to maintain their pool. This doesn't include replacing equipment or balancing chemicals.
Brushing thoroughly 1-2 times per week will prevent these materials from having the time to create a stain. Brush to Prevent Algae: Every pool can grow algae, but plaster, quartz, and aggregate finishes are more susceptible.
Resale Value
A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.
Is a salt water pool easier to maintain? Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and your pool's salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine.
How much does a pool cost to run? The average swimming pool will cost between $660 and $1,000 to run annually – consuming between 2,000 and 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. That's about $23 each week!
A commonly asked question amongst our customers is, “when should we clean our pool's filter cartridge?” Typically, we recommend that your cartridges inside your filter be cleaned every 3 months for longevity of your cartridges, as well as for better pool filtration and water flow.
Overall, the lessons learned today is you should run your pool pump an average 8 hours a day to properly circulate and clean your water. The pump should push your entire pool in gallons in this 8 hour period of time. Residential pool water only needs to be turned over once daily to have proper filtration.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
Chlorine pools are more traditional and are also cheaper than most saltwater pools. However, they can be more difficult to maintain over time. Because there is no generator making chlorine, you will need to add chlorine into the pool on your own.
For a family of 8 people, a pool size of 18 by 36 feet is adequate. Even if you all decide to swim at the same time, there will be enough space for everyone. A rectangular shape is the best choice for this size of the pool. If there are six or less in your family, a pool size of 16 by 32 feet will be sufficient.
It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.
Remember: vacuuming your pool regularly will help keep your pH balanced easier and more controlled. Skim your pool for debris, such as leaves, bugs, etc. and be sure to check your skimmer and empty that regularly as well.
What can happen if you go into a pool too soon after it's been shocked? There are a few potential issues. "Chlorine will react with water to produce an acid," Alan says. "The effects will be different depending on whether chlorine is inhaled or whether there is skin or eye contact."