 | I'm often asked if I provide bi-weekly service, or if I come less in the winter for a lower rate and my answer is always no. When you have been around pools as long as I have, you know better. Arizona Monsoon season is July-September. However, wind storms and rain storms are not limited to these months alone. In the example illustrated on the left, there were city owned trees next to the property on the other side of a retaining wall. I had to take a picture of the amount of plant debris I pulled out of the strainer basket, because it was as full as it could possible be after a storm...in January. |
| Baskets that are full of debris restrict water flow, which in turn does not cool the motor, or filter enough water from the pool. Excessive heat can cause a lot of unwanted and expensive problems, which can easily be avoided with weekly maintenance. Through out the year, I find dead birds, rodents and even reptiles getting into the skimmer. In the image to the right, I found a small rabbit stuck in the intake of this Vac-Mate. The rabbit was starting to decay and had plugged the intake hole. The water flow was restricted, the pump was running hot and there was no filter pressure. |  |
 Tile with hard water build up |  Salt cell with hard water buildup |
Arizona has very hard water and calcium build up is unfortunately a common site around the valley. It is very important to keep the pH between 7.2 and 7.8 consistently. Copper elements in pool heaters can become crusted with scale buildup when the water is too hard, restricting water flow and ruining the heater. Hard water scale build up will increase on tile with a high pH and build up on salt cells, restricting water flow and reducing the life if the cell. Chlorine is more effective as a sanitizer if the pH is kept balanced. In hind site to having a high pH, if the pH is too low, the water is acidic. When the water is acidic, it will leach calcium from the plaster and the grout between tiles, eventually ruining the pool surface and loosening tile. Acidic water can damage copper heating elements in heaters too.
Bottom line? It's important to keep checking on your pools equipment and the water chemistry consistently through out the year. Reduce unwanted problems and damage to the pool and pool equipment, by dedicating 15-30 minutes each week. It is never a good idea to neglect your investment over the winter months simply because its too cold to swim.
Tired of your pool guy? Give me a try!
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