Orlando’s Premier Pool Maintenance: Complete Service Guide

Owning a pool in Florida is a luxury, but it also requires determination and hard work to keep your swimming area clean and safe. Proper care and cleaning is essential to maintain your property’s value and livability, especially if you rent out the space to tenants.

Regular maintenance includes skimming and vacuuming the pool, testing water chemistry, and shocking the pool to prevent algae growth and maintain sanitation.

Water Testing

Keeping your pool water balanced properly helps prevent algae growth, maintain clarity and protects the integrity of the surface. Your expert pool service provider will regularly test and adjust your pool’s chemicals. This process may take up to 30 minutes per visit and includes adding necessary chemicals, including chlorine, shock, stabilizers, acids and cleaners. This is a critical step in maintaining your pool, and you can expect it to cost up to $30 a month for chemicals alone. Pool companies with a contractor’s license get a huge discount on these products, saving you money over buying them at the local store.

Other costs associated with your swimming pool maintenance include equipment repairs and replacements, which are a normal part of keeping your pool in good condition. This can include examining and cleaning your pump, heater, filter, automatic pool cleaners, timers and other equipment for malfunctions and signs of wear and tear. Inspecting the deck and surrounding area for uneven surfaces and safety hazards is also a standard part of pool maintenance.

When you choose a reliable pool service company, they should be willing to provide you with an honest and accurate quote for their services before beginning work. This allows you to know what to expect and will help you make an informed decision. A reputable company will also keep you updated with the status of your pool service. You can monitor their progress via tickets they leave at your property which detail the date of servicing, the conditions of your pool and any repairs or additional maintenance that is needed.

As an added benefit, some pool service providers offer monthly cleanings, weekly servicing and regular inspections to ensure your pool is clean and safe for you and your guests to enjoy. This is an excellent way to set yourself apart from your competition, and it will keep your renters happy and loyal to your brand. The COVID-19 outbreak and concerns over health and safety have kept many people at home and away from public pools, which means that owning a pool has become more popular than ever.

Algae Removal

Algae spores are everywhere and can get into your pool through rain, dirt, or contaminated swimwear. They can grow into an algae bloom in just a few hours when water conditions are perfect. Inadequate filtration, low chlorine levels, dirty filters, or poor water circulation are all ideal conditions for algae growth.

Green algae is the most common form of pool algae, and it is also the most difficult to remove once it takes hold. It has a thick protective layer that is hard to brush off and has strong roots that can penetrate the grout in your pool. It is resistant to chlorine and forms a slimy film on the surface of your pool.

Blue-green algae is another stubborn type of algae that grows in clumps and tends to stick to surfaces like your pool equipment and walls. It is difficult to brush off and can cause a foaming action on your pool water surface. This type of algae is resistant to chlorine and needs special treatment to get rid of it.

Yellow algae is a very different form of pool algae, typically growing in shaded areas of your pool. It is a very slimy type of algae that is resistant to chlorine. This type of algae can cling to your pool toys, cleaning equipment, or inside the filter.

Purple and black algae are very difficult to treat once they take hold in your pool, according to this orlando pool cleaning service. These types of algae are resistant to both chlorine and most algaecide treatments. These types of algae require a special procedure called “flocculating and shocking” to kill them. This process requires circulating the water and adding a flocculant for two hours. Then the pump should be shut off and the water left to sit overnight. Next, the proper algaecide should be added and brushed and vacuumed as directed on the label.

You can help prevent algae blooms by maintaining good water balance, running the pool daily, and cleaning your filter regularly. You should test your water and keep the pH balanced at 7.2 or below, the total alkalinity at 100 ppm, and the cyanuric acid at 30 to 50 ppm. You should also use a quality algaecide and sweep the floor of your pool weekly. Phosphate removers can also be helpful, as they cut off the nutrient source for algae. However, they don’t fix underlying problems with your water chemistry, such as low chlorine levels or improper pH balance.

Filter Cleaning

The filtration system is an integral part of a clean, inviting swimming pool. Regularly cleaning the filter helps to avoid clogging and other issues with the filtration process. It also extends the life of the filter and saves on repair costs. Keeping up with the proper filter cleaning procedures for your type of pool is the best way to ensure healthy, clear water all year long.

The primary types of pool filters are sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth (DE). Each requires different cleaning procedures, but all can be cleaned with the right tools and Poolife products. To begin, it is important to turn off the pump and remove the filter from the pool. Then, a garden hose should be used to rinse away any loose debris. If necessary, a soft brush can be used to dislodge stubborn debris. Finally, the filter can be soaked overnight in a solution of Poolife Filter Cleaner and water.

Sand and Cartridge filters should be backwashed regularly – every two to four weeks for sand and every week for cartridges. This is done by setting the multiport valve to the “backwash” position and triggering the pump until all of the dirty water has been discharged from the filter. Then, the filter should be rinsed thoroughly with a garden hose, and it should be recharged with fresh sand or DE powder based on the manufacturer’s guidelines.

DE filters require a more delicate cleaning process, as they are more likely to lose their effectiveness and can damage the filter. It is recommended to wash a DE filter twice during peak swimming season and to perform a full disassembly and cleaning of the grids at least once during the offseason.

A clean, well-maintained swimming pool is an asset to any property and can help attract high quality tenants. However, a neglected pool can be a safety hazard for residents and can cause health and sanitation issues. Working with a professional pool service provider is the best way to ensure that your Orlando rental properties have safe and clean pools. The experienced team of professionals at Pure and Simple Pool Care can handle everything from water chemistry to equipment replacement.

Pump Cleaning

While a beautiful, inviting pool is the dream of many homeowners, it can be challenging to manage all the tasks necessary to keep a pool clean and safe. Buying and adding chemicals, monitoring chlorine levels, vacuuming the bottom of the pool regularly, testing water chemistry, brushing the walls to remove algae, skimming the surface regularly, cleaning the filter trap and baskets, adjusting the water level, and winterizing equipment are just some of the tasks involved in proper pool care.

One of the most critical aspects of pool maintenance is the pump, which plays a key role in circulating water, filtering debris, and ensuring that chemicals are evenly distributed. A poorly-maintained pool pump can result in decreased circulation and an uneven distribution of chemicals, which can lead to algae buildup. Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent this problem by servicing your pump regularly.

Begin with a thorough cleaning of the area around your pump. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris to create a clear workspace. This can help ensure that your repair is performed correctly and efficiently. Next, inspect the pump lid and O-ring for signs of damage. Lubricating the O-ring helps maintain a tight seal, preventing air leaks that can reduce efficiency.

Once the lid is off, clean the inside of the pump housing and remove the strainer basket. Inspect and clean the basket for cracks, clogs, or damage, then replace it. Lastly, clean the impeller and apply lubrication to prevent friction and ensure smooth operation.

The type of pool and its location will also affect maintenance costs. For example, a pool located near trees will attract more leaves and other debris that need to be removed from the water. Also, a larger pool requires more chemicals than a smaller pool.

It’s essential to find a trustworthy and reliable pool company that offers affordable services. Checking online reviews is a great way to compare different companies and see what past customers have said about their service. Ideally, a pool company should offer one flat rate for all services and not charge extra for additional chemicals or parts.