A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Pool

Who among us, in our infinite wisdom, has said; “Screw it, I’ll add chemicals to my pool next week”? Of course, when next week comes, the pool has turned an interesting shade of yellow or green, causing you to cringe in embarrassment. These are the times to reflect on the value of checking and balancing pool chemicals on a weekly basis.

Over the years, I have seen pools that have not been serviced for weeks, months, or years. Some can be turned around by adding chemicals, while others have to be drained in order to start fresh.

In Southern Florida, if a pool hasn’t been serviced for two or three weeks, you would be surprised how quickly it goes bad, especially during the summer. I have seen tadpoles, frogs, mosquitoes and an assortment of bugs enjoying the swamp
like setting of a neglected pool in less than two weeks time. What is equally astounding is how quickly these critters disappear once chlorine is added and chemicals are properly balanced. Tadpoles literally dissolve when exposed to chlorine (don’t let your kids see this, it’s disgusting!)

After the Florida hurricanes of 2004, some pools along the Intercoastal Waterway in
Brevard County were flooded when water rose over the safety embankments into the
pool. This also caused water damage to the filter system as well. Within weeks, these
pools had developed their own eco systems which included fish, crabs, reeds, shells and a variety of water life and plants. Pelicans and seagulls floated happily on the waters’ surface and established nests in the trees because they now had a private wildlife sanctuary. Pools along the ocean were filled with sand, some up to four feet deep, which played havoc on the filtration system!

So, if you have neglected your pool for a few weeks, take heart in the fact that you will probably be able to turn it around with proper chemical treatments recommended by your pool store. If your pool has been subjected to extreme weather conditions or storms and you do have to drain your pool, heed this warning: Some areas of the country have a low water table and if you drain the water from your pool, it could literally pop the pool out of the ground... not a pretty sight!

To me, a swimming pool is the ultimate relaxation escape to be savored in the privacy of your own home. But let’s be honest, life gets busy, you get stressed, and it is easy to blow off spending 10 - 15 minutes on your pool once a week. That is why it is so important to develop a positive outlook that taking care of your pool is “Relaxing Time” instead of a”Chore”. With this attitude, you may be surprised at how therapeutic brushing, netting and maintaining proper chemical balance can be. Look ahead to the weekend when you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and float happily in your pool, hopefully with little, or no cares in the world.

The information in the upcoming chapters are intended to give you basic guidance and
a simplistic understanding of how to balance chemicals and service your swimming pool. It is based solely on what I have learned the past five years while servicing over 150 pools.

As a result of my success with keeping pools in tip-top shape, I have developed basic strategies that will help you understand how easy it is to keep your pool sparkling clean and clear.

Some industry professionals may have a different opinion, so I encourage you to read
other manuals or books if you don’t understand what I have written. If you prefer the
technical aspect of chemistry, there are numerous publications that give you much more in-depth information.

As you learn about balancing the chemicals in your pool, visit your local pool store with samples of water in hand and have them tell you how well your chemicals are balanced.

With the information gained from your pool store employees and from what you learn
in this book, you can plan a simple maintenance schedule that should only take 10 - 15 minutes of your time every week (some pools may only require your attention every two weeks, although once a week is ideal).

Keep track of the days and weeks you service your pool by using the maintenance
schedule on page 127. You will then see patterns that help you understand the simplicity of chemical balance. Don’t hesitate to work closely with your pool store until you find that you have a clear understanding of chemistry balance.