Swimming pool maintenance in Phoenix, Arizona, has a unique set of challenges. Unlike many parts of the country, it never really gets that cold, which means algae can flourish. In addition, Phoenix is blessed with 340+ days of sunshine per year. Those burning rays can be harsh on the water in your pool, not to mention your equipment. Of course, that also means plenty of windy and dusty days as well — after all, this is a desert. When it does rain, the droplets soak up the dust and particles in the air sending them straight into your swimming pool. All of these factors and more mean you have to stay on top of the chemical balance in your pool. Negligence can be costly when your pool suddenly turns green or problems develop with the pool pump or filtration system.
While homeowners can check the level of chemicals by themselves for daily upkeep, a pool maintenance expert has the very best equipment and is prepared to handle all sorts of problems. For example, while you can purchase simple test kits for chlorine and PH and Alkilinity, the kit a pool maintenance specialist uses is around $100 and can test the water and chemical levels in much greater detail.
At Pool People, we check our customers’ pools for four things on a regular basis.
- Chlorine — added regularly, chlorine is a sanitizer which keeps your pool water safer from germs and bacteria.
- PH/Acidity/Alkalinity — these levels must be kept in balance to prevent skin irritation and to protect the mechanical equipment and pool filter.
- Stablizer – Sometimes called conditioner or cyanuric acid. This product is what helps hold the chlorine in the water. Yet another product to make sure has not been cut from your chemicals. Low stabalizer will result in excessive chlorine usage and potential cloudy water.
- Total Dissolved solids* – appropriate levels help prevent damage to the plaster walls, while high levels can cause calcium scaling. And while we are on the subject, did you know that your water can wear out? Every time you add chemicals to your pool, you are adding solids (like calcium) that make the water hard. That makes it harder for the water to absorb more chemicals. Eventually, at about 3,000 parts per million, your water just won’t absorb any more chemicals and your swimming pool must be drained and refilled. Typically, this happens every four to six years, but using chemicals with higher filler accelerates the process.
Located in Glendale, Arizona, Pool People provides regular pool and spa cleaning, pool and spa maintenance, pool remodeling, pool and spa repairs, as well as tile cleaning for residents of the Northwest Valley on Phoenix.