How to save on the maintenance of your pool

Basic maintenance for a swimming pool

If we want our pool to be in good condition, we must carry out certain maintenance tasks. Many people prefer to hire professional people in this area or companies that deal with swimming pools so that they do not have to be pending all the time.

Basic maintenance tasks for a swimming pool include:

• Clean the pool glass (floor and sides or walls)
• Monitor and maintain the quality of the water. Quality is maintained through the use of chemicals, including: anti-algae and flocculants, chlorine, lesser e increasing pH.
• Maintain water quality through purification systems for control, disinfection and regulation.
• Ensure that the cleaning and maintenance of the entire purification system is carried out properly.

The time invested in maintaining a pool is not the same for all, since this is determined by the size of the pool (the capacity in m³), the type of pool and the type of lining that the pool has.

What influences the cost of maintaining a swimming pool?

If we want to enjoy a pool with water in the best conditions, its cleaning and maintenance must be done in the correct way, always taking into account the type of pool to obtain better results. Depending on the different components of the pool, the price of maintenance can vary. These are the factors that influence the cost of pool maintenance:

1. The construction material of the pool glass
2. The type of liner used to build the pool basin
3. The shape of the pool glass, as well as its depth
4. The filter system to use (sand, cartridge, diatoms, among others)
5. The type of water disinfection process, since, among others, it can be:

a) with addition of chemicals

b) by means of dosing equipment

c) through the use of control equipment

1. The cleaning mechanism, which can be, among others:

1. Automatic
2. Hydrocleaning
3. Manual
4. Intelligent cleaning system

These aspects will determine the cost of pool maintenance during the year, as they will have a direct impact. Depending on them, they will require a greater or lesser effort of maintenance and cleaning work, since not all pools have the same characteristics.

But, in addition, the environment in which the pool is installed also influences the water quality, because external agents (rainwater, insects, leaves, plants, pollen, dust, water) fall into the pool and they can deteriorate it.

Just as it is necessary to constantly use chemical agents that are responsible for maintaining the quality of the water in good condition, it is also necessary to keep clean all the parts that make up the pool of the pool (floor and walls), in addition to other components, including the pump, the filtration system, etc.

How can we save on pool maintenance?

By following these few tips, maintenance tasks will be less difficult.

1. Cover the pool with a cover or tarp whenever the pool is not in use. By covering the pool, you prevent the water from getting dirty with leaves, insects, and dust, and you avoid water loss due to evaporation. These covers can also prevent temperature loss, as some are made to function as thermal insulators.
2. It should be disinfected and cleaned with a certain frequency, not forgetting to check the jets and nozzles, to avoid clogging. Don't forget to clean the filter, which you can do by combining water and air.
3. Installing a salt chlorination disinfection system is a good investment. This system consists of a chlorinator and common salt. This is a more natural disinfection system and your investment pays for itself in 5-6 years, by reducing the purchase of disinfectant chemicals and chlorine tablets. In addition, the salt is reused.
4. It is advisable to install efficient consumption pumps. In this way you can save electricity when the water moves between the treatment plant and the pool.

The installation of pumping equipment with a frequency inverter allows us to vary the revolutions of the motor according to our needs, without there being any reduction in the quality of the water.

1. Use the automatic pool cleaner. Automatic pool cleaners have been shown to have a water saving efficiency of up to 20%.

1. Take advantage of rainwater. Install a tank where you can store rainwater and then use it.
2. Remember to check the installation from time to time. In this way, it can be discovered in time if there is a leak and can be repaired in time. Likewise, if you constantly check the facilities, new maintenance is avoided.
3. Use timer. This allows you to control how long the pump is running. In this way you avoid having to supervise the pool maintenance process all the time.
4. You should not empty the pool, even if you are not going to use it for some time. It is more practical to cover it with a tarp or suitable cover and keep checking it. In this way you will have a saving on your bill.
5. It uses LED bulbs.
6. If you have a heated pool, remember to lower the temperature when it is not in use.
7. Currently you have the option of solar pool heaters. They work with solar energy and can raise the temperature between 3º to 6º C.

Maintenance according to type

It is possible to speak of swimming pools with mosaic tiles and fiberglass swimming pools. Due to the differences between the materials with which they have been built, there will also be some differences between the energy and the time it will take for the respective maintenance.

The constant action of chemicals in a pool can cause some type of deterioration in its lining. For this reason, a pool that needs less maintenance or less use of chemical products can last a longer time, with a good appearance, and we can enjoy it for much longer.

1. Tiled pools

In pools built with tile, it is more difficult to clean the joints in the pool glass, and even so, over time the tile can end up coming off. These joints, due to their porosity, can contribute to the formation of fungi and bacteria, and over time they take on a dark color.

2. Fiberglass pools

In pools built with fiberglass, the gel coat coating will facilitate the cleaning of the floor and walls, since this coating is not porous. This type of material prevents the formation of fungi and bacteria. 

In case of having a rounded shape, it will be even easier to clean it.

The pools made of fiberglass and with a gel coat coating have a stabilizing agent for ultraviolet rays, as well as a high resistance to chemical products. This will generate less maintenance, which in turn saves time and money.

These types of pools are also going to be easier to maintain, which also means saving chemicals.

Both pools made of tile and those made of fiberglass can be improved with the installation of intelligent self-cleaning systems. The advantages of these systems are:

• They attract all the dirt to the sump, avoiding hoses on the surface.
• They also maintain the temperature of the water. In case of having a heat pump, there will be energy savings.
• The costs of the products to be used for the maintenance of the pool are reduced, since it is possible to make better use of the chemical agents by diluting them equally on the surface and the bottom.

Advantages of a salty pool

Currently this type of pool represents a natural alternative. When installing salt chlorinators, common salt generates chlorine.

These devices are integrated with the filtering system and take advantage of the salt water. When the water passes through the electrodes it becomes sodium hypochlorite, at the same time that organic matters that may be present in the water are eliminated. After this process it is transformed back into salt.

Among the advantages of saltwater pools we have:

• There is a saving in the consumption of chemical products, since, after the process of conversion of salt into sodium hypochlorite, these levels remain stable, thus reducing the consumption of chemical products. At the same time, by automating the process, hours of work can be saved.
• Salt water is much healthier than chlorinated water. It does not redden the eyes, it does not damage the hair, it is less aggressive on the skin. Promotes a more natural tan.
• It prevents us from running out of chlorine stock at some point

Provisions to be taken before starting to use the pool

• If you have left your pool with a cover, and rainwater has accumulated on it for some time, you must be careful that it does not mix with the pool water. To remove that rainwater you can use a vacuum cleaner or a pump.
• When removing the cover, check the tiles for stains and some calcium flakes. You can use a household tile cleaner, or better yet, baking soda and a brush. If any stain persists despite everything, a pumice stone can be used.
• Check the expiration date on the chemical bottles.
• It is convenient that you turn on the pool filter before using the pool, 12 to 24 hours in advance, before adding chemical products.
• It is advisable to carry out an analysis of the water, with an analysis test or send a sample to a professional.

For any questions or queries, please contact contact with us and to see the complete category of pools click here, and remember that we are also experts in accessories pe100, misting for irrigation, water pipes and in drip irrigation system.