Though it may be freezing cold now, pool season will be here before long. It’s not too early to consider those maintenance tasks that will keep your pool equipment in good condition. Pool maintenance also makes using the pool fun and safe. A lot of that maintenance means making sure that the chemicals in your water are balanced and that the water has the right pH. Here are some things that can happen when your pool’s maintenance is neglected.
Filters and Pumps Don’t Work as Well
Filters, pumps, suction lines, pipes, and other swimming pool components don’t work well when the water is dirty or unbalanced. Debris in pump baskets can stop the inflow of water and keep pump impellers from rotating. Eventually, the components break down and need to be replaced or repaired at cost.
Irritation of Skin and Eyes
When your skin and eyes become irritated after a swim, it’s usually due to chloramines. Chloramines happen when chlorine mixes with the inevitable waste, such as suntan lotion, sweat or dead skin, left in a pool. It gives the water that chlorine smell. This happens when the water’s pH, which should be around 7.2, is out of balance. Irritation can also happen when the water is over-chlorinated.
Calcium Crust on Surfaces
The two types of calcium build-up are calcium carbonate and calcium silicate. The first flakes off fairly easily, but the second is harder and tougher to remove. If calcium is allowed to build up in your pool, it can lead to crusting on the walls, steps and tiles. The water becomes cloudy and can irritate eyes and skin. Eventually, calcium buildup starts to clog your pool’s filters and pipes. This causes them to work harder, which raises your energy costs. Eventually, this equipment fails sooner than it should and will need to be replaced. Calcium deposits are also good places to harbor bacteria and algae.
Algae, Pathogens and Pests in the Pool
If you neglect your pool’s water, it becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of undesirable organisms. Algae will bloom, bacteria will proliferate, and pests such as mosquitoes will breed. The water itself turns green, turbid and repulsive. Swimming in it becomes a health hazard.
Corroded or Slippery Surfaces
Water with an unbalanced pH not only irritates skin and eyes but corrodes plaster, fiberglass and metal. This encompasses everything from ladders to the pool’s shell and vinyl liners. Algae found around the edges of the pool are a slip and fall hazard.
Keeping the water clean and well-balanced helps to support the longevity of your pool and its components. If you need pool service, get in touch with our professionals at Galati Pools and Spas of Newburgh, New York.
