The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Texas Pool Owners
How to Take Care of Your Pool: DIY Style
There is no doubt that self-maintenance is an excellent way to save money and gain a deeper understanding of your pool at the same time. This guide will provide you with some handy tips on how to clean your Dallas pool to keep it sparkling all year long.
Sanitizing
Household bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite, can remove stains from grout which contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite).
Shocking a pool can be done with bleach. Basically, shocking your pool is just superchlorinating it. This means it raises the chlorine level to a level that kills bacteria and algae found in the water.
Adjusting the pH Balance
Baking soda is one of the most inexpensive DIY pool cleaning tips. Mix it with water to clean swimming pool tiles, grout, concrete, or stone. If your pool’s pH is imbalanced, add 1.5 lbs. of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water to raise alkalinity by about 10 ppm.
You can use muriatic acid to lower the pH of your pool by using it as a concrete and gunite acid wash. Wear gloves and boots that are acid-resistant, eye protection, and clothing that covers your skin when working with muriatic acid.
Stain & Scaling Removal
Due to its ascorbic acid composition, crushed vitamin C tablets are an excellent option for removing stains and rust on your pool wall and fixtures.
For scaling issues, a high pH level or calcium hardness can cause chalky pool wall stains. Therefore, you can treat tougher stains by applying vinegar and water 1:1 or citric acid to a brush for even deeper stains.
The Three C’s of Pool Cleaning
There are three C’s to maintaining a pool: Circulation, Cleaning, and Chemistry. An enjoyable and safe swimming experience can be made possible by following the three C’s:
Circulation
To ensure the safety and cleanliness of a pool, adequate water circulation is crucial. Cloudy water or algae growth are less likely to occur in a pool with proper circulation. It is important to run your pool pump and filter system every day to guarantee maximum circulation of water. Pumps should run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ideally. As an alternative, aim for at least 10 to 12 hours a day to provide a consistent turnover of water and to keep it clean.
Cleaning
Net skimmers, pool brushes, and vacuums are essential pool cleaning equipment. A weekly skim, brush, and vacuum will keep your pool clean and free of debris. Brush delicate surfaces with baking soda paste, which acts as a gentle scouring cleaner. Consider using an automatic pool cleaner to help reduce cleaning time and spend more time relaxing. As a general rule, it is advisable to clean or replace the pool filter on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s instructions due to the fact that a dirty or clogged filter can prevent the proper flow of water through your pool.
Chemistry
A balanced chemical balance is important for swimmer safety and water quality in general. Monitoring pH levels, chlorine levels, alkalinity levels, and calcium hardness levels in the pool water should be done using a reliable testing kit.
Ideally, your pool should have a pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 to be maintained. Adjust these levels as needed.
The three C’s should be followed regularly, as well as regular inspections and maintenance of your pool equipment.
Is it Expensive to Own a Pool in Texas?
Although a pool is an investment, it can be worth it to beat the Texas summer heat. Here are some reasons why a pool will be worthwhile:
- Your neighborhood or social circle will most likely be thrilled to have you install a pool. Particularly if you are the only person with one. With a pool, you can host your family, friends, and other guests.
- It will give your family a place to swim in the summer, if you have an outdoor pool, or all year, if you have an indoor pool.
- It’s convenient and private and no one else has access to it.
It is estimated that adding a pool to your home can increase its value by 5% to 8%. In a warm state like Texas, and if it is perfectly positioned within your yard, you can expect this to be even higher. Sounds like a win to us!
Pool Safety for Your Texas Pool
The safety of anyone on your property may be your responsibility as a homeowner, regardless of whether you have given them permission to be there. In the event of a slip and fall, you might be held liable for the person’s medical expenses, and even worse, you could be sued.
Pool Safety Laws
If you reside in Texas, you need to be sure to follow the state’s laws on pool safety. There is a requirement that the gate must be a minimum of 48 inches tall, and it must meet the same height requirements for fences as well. In addition, the gates need to be self-closing and self-latching, as well as having the latch located on the inside of the gate in order to meet the requirement.
Supervising Children
It doesn’t take long for a tragedy to occur. Appoint a responsible adult to supervise the pool, who will maintain constant monitoring of children while they are in or near the water. Despite being at home and enjoying your pool, it is critical that you keep an eye on children in order to prevent any injuries or death.
Learn CPR
During an emergency, every second counts, and CPR can save a life. Children are not the only ones at risk of drowning. Keep yourself prepared and be mindful of your surroundings at all times.
Prepare yourself by getting CPR certified. Here are a few places in Dallas that you can check out:
By searching online, you can find other locations that offer CPR certifications near you.
Troubleshooting Common Pool Issues
| Issues | Signs | Reason | Solution |
| Odor in the chlorine |
|
| Correct the pH balance by pool shocking |
| Cloudy water |
|
| Inspect the pool Pool shocking |
| Algae |
|
| Adjust pH |
Dealing with these pool issues can be a hassle. Hiring a professional pool cleaner can help relieve stress. When these symptoms become out of your control, contact a Dallas pool company you can rely on.
How a Professional Pool Cleaning Company Can Help
Many people who own pools only have a certain level of knowledge when it comes to properly taking care of them. However, the hassle of making repairs on your own can be stressful. Rather than doing this yourself, you should hire an expert pool cleaning company. A deeper look is performed when you hire a technician, such as checking the pumps and filters to make sure nothing has burned out. Additionally, professionals are trained to spot small issues that might eventually lead to bigger problems.
What is Expected During a Pool Cleaning Service?
A pool cleaning service will depend on your pool’s needs and the condition it’s in. For example, if you have a green pool, that will need more time and care. Typically, however, you can expect the following from a basic pool cleaning service:
- Water testing
- Equipment checks
- Skimming
- Vacuuming
- Brushing
- Emptying baskets
With the help of our licensed professionals, you can rest assured that the job will be done right the first time. If you are looking to experience all the benefits of our pool and spa maintenance approach, with easy, safe, and effortless results, contact us today.
Pool Upgrades That Will Make Your Pool Stand Out
Owning a pool is great, but what’s even better? Making it better. Your Dallas pool can have all the luxury features you desire.
Here are just a few ideas to upgrade your Texas pool:
- Adding pool automation: Automating your pool can let you set schedules, adjust settings, and monitor your spa from anywhere.
- Installing a variable speed pump: Using variable speed pumps, pool owners don’t need to worry about a pump that’s constantly consuming power.
- A range of speed settings enables the system to handle everything from light overnight circulation to heavy duty algae removal.
- Investing in a salt water chlorine generator: A gentler, higher quality salt-based chlorine balances your chlorine levels automatically without producing harsh chemicals.
- An automatic pool cleaner: With these robotic pool cleaners, you can cut the time it takes to maintain your pool by a huge margin. There is nothing better than saving money and saving time.
- Adding LED lighting: With LEDs, you can upgrade your pool easily and effectively. You can easily adjust the mood of your swimming pool with LED pool lights, from an elegant glow to a colorful display.
Make those upgrades today to get the most out of your pool experience!
Your Dallas Pool Service Experts at Patriot Pool & Spa
Patriot Pool & Spa treats business as if it were personal. You should feel comfortable knowing who is in your yard. Therefore, all of our candidates are background checked. We only put people in your yard that we would feel comfortable inviting into our own home. Contact us today for all your pool service needs. We can’t wait to help!
FASTEST GROWING POOL COMPANY IN THE US FOR THREE STRAIGHT YEARS ACCORDING TO THE INC. 5000
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