Owning a pool can be a lot of work, and if you don’t care of it properly, problems will inevitably arise. Though it’s unlikely that even routine maintenance will eliminate all potential pool problems, regular attention and inspection go a long way toward ensuring your pool remains fully functional and safe. Below, the experts at Royal Pool & Spa have outlined four of the most common residential pool problems and what you can do to prevent them from occurring or growing worse.
A Sluggish Pool Filter
A dirty, clogged filter is a working filter, which is good. However, if you fail to regularly clean your pool filter, you’re forcing it to work on overdrive to attempt to clean the water. Eventually, an overworked pool filter will break down, but with routine cleaning, a filter cartridge should last around 2,000 hours. To avoid premature pool filter repair or replacement, either clean the filter on a weekly basis or hire an experienced pool maintenance technician to perform the job for you.
Mineral Buildup
Mineral buildup, more commonly referred to as scaling, is super common in residential pools because scaling is the result of calcium buildup. Because calcium is added to pool water to help balance its alkalinity, if you fail to regularly test the water and adjust the mineral balance accordingly, calcium levels can quickly get out of control.
Scaling isn’t just unsightly; excess calcium content can cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers, which makes it critical that you maintain an appropriate pH balance. To avoid mineral buildup, aim for a calcium level of approximately 200-400 ppm — the higher the number, the more likely that scaling will occur. If you don’t have the appropriate water testing equipment or minerals and chemicals to balance your pool water, opting for professional pool maintenance will ensure pH levels remain consistent.
Cloudy Water
Pool water that looks dirty can indicate several issues. Sometimes, cloudy pool water alerts you to a pH imbalance; other times, dirty water is the inevitable result of poor pool maintenance. If you recently noticed cloudy water after attempting to clean your own pool or shock the water, you probably added chemicals in inappropriate ratios. To bring the water back into balance, it’s always a good idea to contact a pool professional who can test the water and give you advice on how to properly add chemicals to your pool.
Skin Irritation
In most cases, skin irritation is the result of overly acidic or alkaline pool water; however, in rarer cases, bacteria in the water can trigger rashes, redness, and itchiness. If you don’t clean your pool regularly and you’ve noticed you feel uncomfortable after swimming, consider scheduling weekly maintenance appointments with your local pool professionals.
If you do have your pool regularly cleaned, though, you probably have a simple chemical imbalance, which is relatively easy to correct. You can either test and adjust the water yourself, or seek the expertise of a trained professional.
Schedule Pool Maintenance With Royal Pool & Spa
If you’re ready to get the most out of your backyard pool, our team at Royal Pool & Spa is ready to help you do it. We specialize in pool cleaning, maintenance, repair, and renovations for homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro, so give us a call today at 651-779-7606 to learn more about what we can do for your pool. You can also get in touch with us by filling out the form on our contact page, and a member of our team will be in contact with you promptly.