Relaxing in your pool during a hot summer day, playing water sports with the kids, and inviting friends over for pool parties are just a few of the fun activities your pool provides each year. If you’ve already had your pool a few seasons, you know it’s important to maintain regular swimming pool service and keep up with the pool cleaning each year.

However, you might be making some mistakes that are aging your pool too fast and making it more likely you’ll require unexpected pool repairs. With the right care, your pool will last decades, but not if you make the following common mistakes.

Not running the pool pump enough

There’s no denying that a backyard swimming pool will increase the cost of your utilities, but there are a variety of ways to reduce your electricity and water costs when you have a pool. However, some pool owners take this idea a little too far and don’t run the swimming pool pump enough.

You might find that your pool is growing more algae than usual. Not running your swimming pool pump as a way to save money could actually result in an increase in the need for pool chemicals. Run your pump the right amount of time per day for a clean pool, and call Las Vegas Valley Pool Services if you find your pump isn’t cleaning the pool even when you run it.

Population in the pool is too high

Inviting the neighborhood kids over for the afternoon creates a fun and boisterous atmosphere in the backyard, but your pool probably can’t handle big pool parties every day. With each extra swimmer in your pool, you need to use more chemicals to keep the water balanced and clear.

If you’re enjoying your swimming pool with friends this season, consider letting your pool service know. He or she can help you get the level of chemicals in your pool at the correct level for optimum clarity. 

Improper use of chemicals

If your pool develops a chemical imbalance and you find you need to use an algaecide to clear the water, you’ll need to adjust your chlorine levels to compensate. A good rule of thumb is to increase the chlorine level prior to adding the algaecide so as to maintain enough chlorine post-application.

Pool care mistakes are common because they’re not immediately obvious to the average pool owner. You’ve budgeted the cost of your backyard pool, but don’t forget to budget time to learn about caring for it, too. Las Vegas Valley Pool Services can help you. Call or submit an online request for a free consultation.

• Make sure your side gate and any gate to the pool is self-closing.
• Protect children against access to pool or spa equipment. Turning a valve, touching electrical wires or a hot pool motor can cause serious injury or worse. Keep kids clear of the pool equipment.
• Always turn off electrical circuits at the panel before repairing or servicing any pool equipment.
• Always have a good working pressure gauge on your pool filter tank. Every pool system is different, so this is no standard reading for every pool system. High pressure is dangerous.
• Check your pool equipment for air leaks. Air bubbles being discharged through the return fittings is a sign of air leaking into the system. Air accumulating in the filter system could cause serious injury or damage if not relieved properly. Leaks only get worse.
• During high winds empty your skimmer baskets. A lot of stuff blows in pools including plastic bags, which can break a skimmer basket and cause blockage to the pool pump.
• Be sure your actuator valves (directs the water where to go) is at the correct positions to get the optimal flow to and from the pool and spa.
• Keep your pool filters maintained properly. Dirty pool filters can cause havoc and damage your pool system.