Poor Pool Maintenance Provides Potential for Disasters

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Pools are a great, enjoyable investment, especially with Florida’s hot summer weather. Unfortunately, your beautiful investment can quickly turn into an expensive mess without the correct maintenance and care. Here are some tips to help avoid disasters in and around your pool.

 

The most important step in preparing for and preventing pool-related disasters is proper maintenance of your pool equipment. Keeping your pool clean is imperative. It is not only essential for your pool water to be clean for the cleanliness of those swimming in it, but keeping your entire pool area clean is a vital component of protecting your pool equipment. In particular, keeping the pump, electric timers, and other equipment clean is crucial. A pool full of leaves not only contaminates your pool, but it also provides fuel for a fire. If your pump overheats while leaves surround it, a fire can quickly start and spread to your yard and potentially your house. Improper maintenance of your skimmers can also lead to your pump overheating as enough water cannot get in; this could lead to needing to replace your pump and could also potentially lead to a fire. Also, when cleaning or adjusting your electrical pool equipment, make sure your hands are dry. It can be easy to forget to grab a towel when you step out of the pool to make a quick adjustment on equipment such as a pump or heater, but this could have dire consequences. By cleaning your pool area and equipment properly, you can save money, time, and potentially your loved ones’ lives by preventing disasters in and around your pool.

 

Another aspect of your pool maintenance vital in avoiding disaster is ensuring proper drainage and liner alignment takes place. This is especially important for pools with vinyl liners. With improper drainage, the water can get too high, and if the liner is loose and water gets between the liner and the soil, it could potentially pull down the pool’s walls. Essentially, the liner will “float.” The liner can rise several inches above the ground due to the water getting underneath it. This causes the smooth surface beneath the liner to be damaged and the liner to be misshapen. Having a professional provide routine maintenance checks to ensure the liner is in place and fix minor liner adjustments could cost as little as fifty dollars. On the other hand, if a misaligned or loose liner goes untouched and develops a worse condition, it could lead to the whole pool requiring replacement which could cost thousands of dollars. To ensure proper draining, never drain a pool without professional instruction. Improper draining could cause the liner to pop out of the pool as the weight of the water decreases and the liner has less weight holding it in place. Ask a professional for help before you drain a pool yourself to avoid having to spend time and money to have a professional fix a mistake that could have been avoided if you had asked for assistance in the first place. Also, auto-fill and auto-drain devices are convenient ways to ensure proper drainage, especially during vacations. However, keep an eye on your utility bill while using these devices as a pool leak could go unnoticed with an auto-fill device and raise your bill.

 

Follow these tips to avoid potential pool disasters. With proper maintenance and care, your pool can be an enjoyable asset to your home. Do not be afraid to ask a professional for help, and have peace of mind that your pool area is a safe place for you and your family.

 

Jerry Baker

The Pool Guy

850-933-1863