Equipment Run Time Central/South Florida
Equipment run time, as a general rule, more in the summer and less in the winter. Periods of a lot of rain and higher bather load, should increase the equipment run time following. Summer 10-12 hours, Spring and Fall 8 hours, Winter 6 hours, in central Florida. Running the circulation pump during the peak time the sun is on the pool, provides an even mix of chemical, water temperature, adding additional chlorine.
Routine Maintenance Central/South Florida
- Pool filters should be serviced and filter/DE powder replaced, every 6 months to 1 year.
- Algae treatment should be performed at minimum May 1st through October 31st. This service not only protects everyone’s health but saves money on medical expenses, pool and pool equipment repairs. (Basic pool resurfacing $5,000 to $10,000)
- Full replacement of pool/spa water should be done every 3 to 5 years, or Half replacement of pool/spa water every 2 to 4 years. To remove build up of dissolved soils and minerals, which can damage the pool/spa surface and equipment.
- Salt Cell acid wash should be done every 3 to 6 months.
- Cartridge filters should be cleaned every 1 to 3 months, when the filter pressure gauge rises 7 psi above clean reading.
- Pool/Spa resurfacing 10 years. Without proper routine maintenance the Pool/Spa surface, can be permanently stained or etched destroyed in less than 5 years. I have seen properly maintained Pools/Spas last +15 to +20 years. Proper maintenance is the above, as well as the below.
Weekly Maintenance –
- Skim debris off pool/spa surface and bottom.
- Clean out skimmer and pump basket, check for basket damage.
- Brush pool/spa walls and bottoms.
- Check filter pressure, clean filter when pressure increase is over 7 psi.
- Vacuum pool/spa as needed for debris.
- Check equipment for leaks, and check equipment readings are within recommendations.
- Water balancing; Chlorine (Total & Free), PH, Alkalinity, Stabilizer, and Hardness
Mother Nature and Leaks
Mother Nature provides challenges beyond our control, intense heat and sunlight, periods or rain or drought. These simply need additional equipment run time, add or let out water. One of the most common issues is equipment leaks, usually from the temperature changes, causing expansion and contraction. Normally needing only disassembling and reassembling, with or with out gaskets.
Unwanted Chemicals
The worst challenges are from the people providing pressure washing, lawn mowing service, lawn treatment services. (Fertilizing/Weed Killer) How much Round Up/weed killer, stripper or fertilizer do you want in your pool? Solutions include chemical treatment to drain and replace the pool and spa water.
Algae, Bacteria, Mold, Fungi…
Algae, Bacteria, Mold, Fungi… not only are serious health concerns for people, your pool/spa and pool/spa equipment. Algae Treatments save money in; medical expenses, pool/spa resurfacing from permanent damage and staining, and pool/spa equipment damage. A Typical pool/spa resurfacing begin in the $5,000 to $10,000.
Black Algae may not be removable through chemical treatments, resurfacing the pool/spa, and all of the pool equipment. Not only do you have the costs, but you have the reduced property value to the home.
If you have concerns of Algae in your pool, there are Algae preventive treatment services available. A pool service provider simply provides the weekly pool maintenance. When they leave, it is the property owners equipment that filters the water, adds chlorine… If the equipment fails the property owner has the problem. The costs to the property owner may simply be a “Green Pool” service charge ranging from $150 to $500. In the worst case scenario with Black Algae, it could require removing the old pool/spa and all equipment and install an new pool.
Pool Spots,discoloring and surface pitting
There are different treatments, that can remove different types of spots while the pool/spa is full of water. Depending on the condition of the pool/spa (surface pitting/cracks…) , an Acid Wash maybe an option, along with resurfacing. The pool/spa are drained in both options. The average life of the pool/spa surface is 10 years. May last less than 5 years if not properly maintained, then I have seen well maintained pools/spas last 15 to 20 years.