Pool maintenance is more than just chemicals.
When you think about pool upkeep, what do you think of? Is it chemicals, or machinery you have no clue about, or is it breaking your back over the water, using a ridiculously long net to remove leaves?
There are many aspects to pool maintenance beyond the water. Aloha Pools and Spas helps customers with this maintenance throughout their entire pool ownership life cycle and has proudly done so since 1969. We strive to make maintenance clear and easy for you- never leaving you to drown in the logistics.
This article will break down the non-chemical aspects of pool maintenance, from filters to circulation to the incredible pool robots who’ll make it all easier. First, let’s look at the main types of maintenance.
Pool Maintenance Types
There are a few maintenance categories to keep an eye on in your pool:
Filter and circulation upkeep
Your pump acts as the heart of the pool. It keeps water circulating, much like a heart keeps blood circulating. This helps continuously remove debris and other unwanted junk from the pool. Running the pump for 8-12 hours a day is standard.
Cleaning or backwashing the filter
Sand filters need backwashing at least monthly, plus a deep clean at the start and end of the season. It is also recommended to backwash the filter cleaner monthly, especially if you have lots of swimmers!
To do this, you’ll
- Turn off your pump and switch your sand filter’s multiport to the “backwash” setting.
- Turn the pump on and run it until the water in the sight glass (a small clear bubble on the filter) runs clear.
Note: the water will first come out clear, then turn dirty, then go back to clear; when that happens, turn the pump off.
- Switch to “rinse”
- Turn the pump on and run it for 10 to 15 seconds to remove dirty water from the top and reseat your sand.
- Turn the pump off, switch to filter, turn it on, and your sand is now clean.
Your filter reverses the flow of water, cleaning debris collected in the sand. Connect a waste hose to the filter, and the dirty water will flow out into your yard.
Monitoring water level and circulation
Keep your water level around the ¾ mark up the skimmer to ensure your pool operates correctly. If the water level gets too low, the pump draws in air. If it’s too high, the skimmer can’t draw in dirt as well as it should.
How much time does pool maintenance take?
Once your routine is established, pool maintenance shouldn’t be super time-consuming. In fact, most people can add chemicals, clean skimmers, and brush their walls in about an hour a week. This, of course, can change if your pool has issues like algae or cloudiness.
Occasional deep cleaning, such as monthly backwashing and filter care, will add to this routine.
Nailing down your routine with a water care specialist will cut down your weekly maintenance and help you avoid mishaps down the road.
How much does pool maintenance cost?
Pool maintenance costs come from a few different places: chemicals, electricity, occasional service, and replacement parts.
Pool chemical costs
Chemicals and water treatment products can cost you anywhere from $50 to $200 monthly, depending on water quality and pool size.
Electricity costs
Electricity can run as low as $70 per month, but for the average pool owner, it often lands closer to $150 per month.
Costs depend on whether you have:
- a pool heater
- a salt system
- pool lighting
- an automatic pool cover
Professional pool maintenance service
If this is all too overwhelming for you and you’d rather leave it to the professionals, weekly maintenance services typically cost between $45 and $150 per visit.
Replacement parts
Replacement parts are an expected maintenance cost every few years as well. For a breakdown of long-term costs, click here.
Ways to make pool maintenance easier
If you want to spend less time doing pool chores and more time actually floating around in your pool like backyard royalty, there are a few upgrades worth knowing about.
Robotic pool cleaners
Think of your robotic pool cleaner as your personal robot pool boy.
They wheel through your pool to clean the walls and floors and skim the surface, making weekly maintenance much quicker. Some newer robotic cleaners also have app-based mapping for your pool, keeping the robotic cleaner from going rogue in your backyard.
While we don’t recommend this be your only weekly cleaning, a robotic cleaner helps clean the pool tremendously.
Automatic pool covers
Automatic pool covers are a game-changer for inground pool owners. When you’re not using your pool, you can put the cover on to keep out leaves and debris. It also helps reduce evaporation and chemical loss, saving you money and time on chemicals.
Automatic pool covers are expensive upfront, but they reduce your pool’s chemical costs over time.
Saltwater systems
A salt system works by running salt water through its system, converting large quantities of salt into chlorine for your pool.
Several bags of salt are added at the beginning of the season. This creates a high enough salt level for the system to work without making your water taste salty or burn your eyes. From there, your pool pump (required for all pools) circulates the salt water through the salt system cell, which splits salt molecules to produce natural chlorine.
So, even though the process differs from adding chemicals directly to the pool, as you would with a traditional chlorine system, a salt pool still uses chlorine to keep your water clean.
With a salt system, there is no need for chlorine tabs; many pool owners prefer the simplicity, convenience, and the water’s soft, smooth feel.
So, is pool maintenance worth it?
For many buyers, the memories made and fun had in a pool outweigh the pains of pool maintenance.
Understanding the commitment and finding the right maintenance routine make ownership easier. In-store water testing and water specialist guidance take the guesswork out for new and existing owners. Aloha offers free water testing and a cold beverage while you are getting your water analyzed. For a clearer path to easier pool ownership, start with Aloha’s water testing and guidance.
If you’re ready to begin your backyard pool adventure or have more questions about swimming pool maintenance, visit one of Aloha’s five locations or contact a sales representative below.
Happy swimming!
