Pool Care 101: A Guide for First-Time Texas Pool Owners
How to Take Care of Your Pool
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 Pool Care 101 guide will provide you with some handy tips on how to clean your Dallas pool to keep it sparkling all year long.
Use Your Pool Pump Every Day
Your pool pump is an unsung hero. It circulates the water to keep it fresh, inviting, and pristine. Running your pool pump daily isn’t just a recommendation but a cornerstone of proper pool care. Especially in the Texas mid-summer heat where stagnation can lead to algae before you blink, operating your pool pump daily is absolutely essential.
Aim to circulate the water for about 8–10 hours a day during peak usage and in the summer (4–6 should be fine for cooler temperatures and lower usage). Your pump will help remove debris as water passes through the filter and will help ensure chemicals are evenly distributed. With routine pool pump usage, your pool will always be crystal clear and ready for a splash whenever family and friends need some relief from the Texas sun.
Pro pool tip: If you’re not concerned about the electric bill, consider investing in a variable-speed pump. By reducing the RPMs of the pump when you don’t need it, you can save 75 percent or more on your electric bill.
Keep Your Pool Chemicals Balanced
Balancing your pool’s chemicals can be a challenge, but with some attention, precision, and care, you can get the science down. Here are some ideal levels to keep your pool water safe and sparkling:
- pH: 7.4–7.6
- Alkalinity: 100–150 ppm (parts per million)
- Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
You’ll want to test your water at least once a week to stay ahead of any imbalances that could turn your pool into a breeding ground for bacteria or an irritant for the skin and eyes. Adjusting levels gradually and keeping a close eye on the effect of your tweaks will ensure your pool remains a haven of relaxation all season long.
Maintain a Pool Cleaning Schedule
A consistent, regular cleaning schedule is essential for your pool’s health. Especially in Texas, where the sun is relentless and pool use is high, you’ll want to make sure you set aside to skim, brush, and vacuum your pool every single week — and more with heavy usage.
- Skimming removes leaves and other debris that collect and that may not filter well.
- Brushing prevents algae buildup and other residues from accumulating on walls and tiles.
- Vacuuming captures dirt that has settled at the bottom of the pool and that won’t be easily filtered out.
Checking and cleaning your filter system regularly ensures that it continues to work efficiently and helps you minimize the amount of manual labor needed to maintain your pool. Regular cleaning and maintenance keep your pool looking great and save you costly repairs down the line!
Pick the Right Pool Heater & Filter
Selecting the right pool heater and filter for your Texas pool is crucial for ensuring comfort, cleanliness, and safety. The heater you choose should align with your usage and budget.
- Gas heaters have a lot of heating power but can prove costly to operate.
- Electric heat pumps are efficient and have lower operating costs but heat the pool more slowly.
- Solar heaters require upfront investment but can over savings over time, especially in sunny Texas.
For filters, the three most common types are sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE).
- Sand filters are low maintenance but least effective in trapping small particles.
- Cartridge filters capture more debris and are easier to maintain than DE filters.
- Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are more difficult to maintain but also provide the best filtration.
Like the chemicals, it’s all something to balance: weigh your needs and budget against your desired outcome and choose the heater and filter that’s right for your situation. Remember, though, that a pool isn’t just an outdoor feature but a backyard oasis that will help you and your loved ones make cherished memories for years to come.
The Three C’s for a Clean Pool
We mentioned some of these at the outset of this guide, but they’re so important we thought we’d hit them again — just from a different angle this time. If you take anything away from our Pool 101 advice it should be the three C’s: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry.
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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