A swimming pool is a great way to spend time with family and friends. It offers the ideal conditions to cool off during the hot summers. Swimming is also a great form of low-impact exercise that can help you get into shape. However, owning a swimming pool requires maintenance on a regular basis to prevent problems before they occur.

Signs of Swimming Pool Leaks

How do you know if you have a swimming pool leak? If you are losing more than two inches of water each week, then you need to have a professional plumbing company to check out your pool. There are common problems associated with pool leaks. You or a plumbing professional should check your pool for the following:

  • Vinyl liner pools may have separations or tears around the skimmers or fittings.
  • Check the pump, pipe valves and heater at the equipment site.
  • Look for wet areas in the soils that surround the pool.

A professional plumbing company has experience with underground water pipes and pool problems. Sometimes, the ground shifts and causes underground pipes to burst. The only way to tell what is really going on with your pool is to contact a professional. A swimming pool cost a lot of money to maintain properly. Keep this in mind when purchasing a home that has a swimming pool.

Because the average swimming pool contains over 20,000 gallons of water, a slow leak may be hard to detect. Most of the pool leaks occur outside of the pool in the plumbing circuit. That is why it is important to contact a plumber instead of a pool tech. A slow leak will result in you spending more money on water bills than necessary. The fact that your pool is losing water may not be due to a leak. Evaporation rates vary according to the temperature, humidity and climate where you live.

Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips

A clean pool keeps the chemicals balanced and the equipment functioning properly. A regular maintenance program for your pool should not take more than a few minutes each week. If you have ever hired a pool tech to clean your pool, then you likely were amazed at how fast he worked. The pool also had a beautiful blue color and looked crystal clear. You can accomplish the same results as a pool tech with proper knowledge of pool care. Filter and pump maintenance are easy to maintain if you get to know your system.

There are three basic types of pool filters:

  • Diatomaceous
  • Cartridge
  • Sand

Diatomaceous filters require you to add it to the skimmer. The pump circulates the diatomaceous throughout the pool. Backwashing is then required once the pressure gauge falls below eight pounds. You only need to add new diatomaceous once or twice each year.

Cartridge pool filters is easier to maintain than diatomaceous filters. Rinse off the cartridge with clean water every three to five years. Cartridge filters cause less back-pressure on the pump than sand resulting in a faster flow throughout the system.

Sand filters are made of fiberglass, metal or concrete tanks that contain a special grade of sand. The filter cleans the water through its filter inlet and outlets. Watch the pressure gauges to determine when to backwash the filter. Sand only needs to be changed every five years. It is best that you contact a professional to change the filter. A swimming pool can give you and your family hours of family fun. A regular maintenance program will ensure that your pool looks clear and ready for swimming most of the time.

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