1 Mistake 1: Forgetting to call the experts at Aqua Touch Pool Care, LLC.

Contact us at (623) 850-2924 for an estimate for our Top Quality Weekly Pool Service. We take all the guess work out of owning a pool so that you can enjoy a fun and safe swimming season!

2 Mistake 2: Not hiring a professional

So you just got your pool balanced and clear – great job! But the work doesn’t stop there. Keeping your pool sparkling clean and free of algae and unbalanced chemicals is by no means easy, especially when you have so many other things demanding your time and attention. And that is exactly the problem. In order to maintain a clean and safe pool, it is essential that a weekly maintenance schedule is maintained. Without a firm schedule, algae grows, filters become clogged, corroded pipes begin leaking…all because no one remembered to clean out the filter basket. Running automatic cleaners and vacuums can help, but nothing can replicate the use of a pool brush by a trained pool care specialist. This not only helps to prevent algae growth, but also ensures that your pool will continue to run smoothly without much effort or worry on your part. And remember: until pool cleaning robots take over the world, call the professionals at Aqua Touch Pool Care for all your pool cleaning needs.

3  Mistake 3: Unbalanced pool water

Unbalanced water will only lead from one headache to another.  One of the biggest issues I encounter is the misinformed pool owner who has not kept to the weekly balancing schedule for their pool water. The biggest misconception with swimming pools is that clear water is good water. Excuse me while I get technical, but a pool with a pH level of 6.5 will more than likely be clear because with a pH level that low, algae struggles to bloom. However, with a pH of 6.5, the water is considered corrosive and will do damage to many parts of a pool, not to mention what it will do to the skin! Plus, water that is not regularly balanced tends to take much longer and cost much more to fix after the problem is identified and the water is analyzed. Regularly testing and balancing the water will not only guarantee cleaner water for a longer period of time, but it will minimize the amount of money spent on pool chemicals as well.

4  Mistake 4: Avoiding a regular cleaning schedule

A very common mistake for pool owners of all ages is forgetting cleaning skimmer baskets, pool cleaner bags, leaf catchers, pump baskets and filters often enough.  All of these elements should be emptied at least once each week.  Even with a weekly pool service, pool owners should still check these areas between service visits, especially within 24 hours after a storm. Brushing the walls and tile down is just as important. If you suspect your circulation system isn’t doing its duty, brushing down the walls will help keep algae infestations at bay until the problem can be addressed. This is especially important in regards to the different pool shapes. Some pool shapes are easier to clean than others. The filter should also be cleaned on a regular basis. Left unattended, a filter will cease to function properly.  In a “worse-case-scenario,” the pump may become damaged or even destroyed and the filter elements may collapse, making them unusable.

5  Mistake 5: Neglecting to run equipment for the proper amount of time

It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to save electricity by skimping on the daily pool filter run time. However, whatever money might be saved in the short term is nothing compared to the long term cost of the pool problems that can occur as a result of not running the equipment in the first place. Especially in the hot summer months, all of the water must be filtered at least once a day. If run time is not long enough and all of the pool water does not get filtered each day, it’s more likely that algae and other problems will occur. Adequate run time of the equipment is critical to the operation of just about everything, so why would your pool be any different? The automatic pool cleaner, chlorine generator and heater will not work unless all equipment is operating efficiently and for the proper amount of time.

6  Mistake 6: Forgetting to track changes in water level

If the pool does not have a water auto-fill feature that keeps the water at a constant level, it is likely that, by evaporation or through a leak, the water level will drop near to or below the skimmer intake. When this happens, the pump begins to draw air (instead of water) into the circulating system. This causes the filter pump to lose its “prime.” When it loses prime, water is no longer moving through the circulation system and therefore none of the equipment is working.

CAUTION: The water inside the pump housing can reach over 200 degrees if it runs for an extended period of time without a “prime.” The heat and steam created can melt piping, fittings and the pump itself. If you open the pump strainer, SCALDING WATER VAPOR CAN SPRAY OUT WITH DISASTROUS RESULTS!!  Never open the strainer housing on your pump if you think that your pump has been running without a “prime.” Contact a professional as soon as possible to deal with the situation.

7  Mistake 7: Not recognizing  or ignoring a pool leak

Due to fears of torn up concrete and huge repair bills, some home owners have confided that they would put off leak detection even though it is possible that the leak in question will be completely painless to fix. Leak detection service itself costs around $200-300 in addition to the cost of fixing the leak. Sometimes the fix is just a new fitting and silicone; it’s not always a big deal. Even so, if you notice that you are beginning to lose water, think of how the leaking water in the soil could be impacting your pool or even your home’s foundation. What if it causes displacement of your pool or pool decking? Waiting will only make the problem worse. Better to call a leak detection service or your pool service company and find out what’s going on as soon as you notice an issue.

8  Mistake 8: Safety as an afterthought

You’ve heard the horror stories – a swimmer dives off their diving board only to injure themselves on the bottom of the pool. As strange as it may seem that someone would do this, the person involved in the accident is often completely unaware of the dangers. For this reason, it is especially important that we address a common concern throughout the pool industry: safety has been an afterthought for far too long. The pool industry as a whole has pushed for stronger safety regulations, and at Aqua Touch Pool Care, LLC. we stress safe swimming above all else. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and evaluate your swimming pool and backyard to be sure there are no safety hazards: establish safety rules such as no running or horseplay and ALWAYS supervise children.

If you are unsure of how to evaluate the safety of your backyard and swimming pool area, request a consultation with a local pool expert, such as Aqua Touch Pool Care. A consultation can be critical in identifying several often unrecognized dangers. For instance, broken child safety fencing, a broken lock or gate, loose coping, cracks in the concrete, drains that are not up to code and outdated electrical systems can all be dangers around a pool. Most of these items are inexpensive to fix and can help keep your pool safe and fun all summer long!

9  Mistake 9: Not replacing worn out equipment

Keeping a pool cleaner for too long or continually repairing an older model can be harmful to your entire pool system. We all hope to get a long life out of our pool equipment, but at some point it’s time to retire it. Many pool owners have rebuilt their old pool cleaners so many times that by the time the old model finally dies, it would have been much cheaper to purchase a brand new updated model. It’s important to remember that, when purchasing new pool equipment, you don’t necessarily have to buy the most expensive model. Models in the $400 to $500 range are very effective and will usually last at least 5 years in most average sized pools. It is important to have a good pool cleaner to keep the pool clean between service visits and not to ignore any unusual signs, no matter how small. Odd noises from the equipment can be a sign of trouble ahead. Even if everything seems to be working fine right now, it is always better to consult a professional and find out for sure.