If you have a pool at your home I’m sure you know what a pleasure it can be on a hot day—but as they say “there is no free lunch”. A pool is fun to be in and look at but if you don’t stay on top of maintaining it, it can be a chore and cost a lot of money to repair. Basically it comes down to some simple factors:

• Maintaining water quality. Have your pool water tested every week at a pool supply dealer and follow the recommendations. Keep the water Ph neutral between 7.2-7.6. If you need acid, add muriatic acid. If you need bicarbonate base, add baking soda. If you need descaler, add it. If you need chlorine tablets, add them. Drain your pool every 3 years to maintain water quality; you’ll use less chemicals and it will be cheaper to maintain. Did you know a gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds and that a cubic foot of water contains 7.48 gallons and weighs 62. 3 pounds?
• Keep your pool clean. Vacuum when it first needs it, not when you feel like it. Brush the floor, stairs and seats when they need it. In the surface water when it needs it. Clean the pool tiles when scale first shows up. If there is a big wind storm that carries dirt and debris into the pool, clean it up right away; if you don’t, it will affect your water quality.
• Keep an eye on your pump and filter. Depending on the type of filter you have, make sure the sand or cartridge is clean, check it every couple of weeks. If your filter is clean your pump will not have to work so hard and save you money on your electric and will prolong its life. There are also rebates available for variable speed pumps from APS. Run your pump so that your pool is filtered at least through 2 complete cycles in off hour’s energy consumption. Most people filter way too many times and have higher utility bills. Good water quality requires less filtration. Make sure that your filter parts are lubricated and have no vacuum leaks, this can cause your pump to work harder and cost more to operate.

EHR Estate makes sure your pool water is crystal clear and healthy and your pump/filter is working properly. If you have a pool maintenance service we will make sure they are doing what you pay for. Please feel free to call me regarding your pool maintenance situation.

Best Regards,

Thaumas P. Ehr