Last Updated on August 11, 2020
Swimming pools and hot tubs are among the big investments any homeowner can make. Due to this, you would want to ensure that your hefty purchases last long enough. However, most people make simple mistakes that can significantly reduce the longevity of their hot tubs and swimming pool. If you are in this fold, the following steps can help you protect these investments and extend their lifespan.
Tips to Extend the Life of Your Swimming Pool
Test Pool and Tub Water Frequently
The first and most basic tip is to test your water regularly. This involves maintaining a good swimming pool chemistry. Maintaining a perfect chemical balance is key to keeping your pool clean and protecting its finish from discoloration and equipment damage. Ensuring that you maintain a perfect water balance in your swimming pool and hot tub is a sure way of ensuring a longer life.
Inspecting the Swimming Pool
Before checking your swimming pool chemistry, begin by inspecting the site. This will help you to identify any visible damage to the pool that could be preventing proper water circulation or necessitate additional treatment. Always ensure that you vacuum any debris from the pool and water surface. You should as well have sanding pads to confirm the smoothness of the swimming pool finish. As you may know, the pool finish should always be smooth to touch.
You should as well inspect the swimming pools’ interior surface. Check for algae and the presence of metal stains. If there are cracks in the finish, consult professional repair experts to assess the severity of the cracks. If you are satisfied with the inspection, you can then proceed with determining the swimming pool water chemistry levels.
Testing the Water
The source water used significantly determines the chemical levels of your pool water. Therefore, it is prudent to test your source water before testing your pool water. You should know the accurate volume of your pool to determine the exact amount of chemicals that should be used. Chemical imbalances can affect the pool finish and make it rough. Test the waters’ PH levels, alkalinity levels, salt levels, and calcium hardness. Swimming pool water should be tested at least three times every week for optimal swimming conditions. When doing this, ensure that your pool has the following chemical balances:
- Chlorine levels of 1 to 3ppm
- Bromine levels of 3 to 5ppm
- PH level of 7.4 to 7.6
- Alkalinity level of 90 to 110
That aside, there are two important things to know when studying the chemistry of your swimming pool water. First, a clear swimming pool water doesn’t always imply that it is good water. Whereas clear water can indicate safe water, it can also be a telltale sign of excessive chlorine levels of highly acidic water. Appropriate chlorine levels eliminate pool growth and make the water safe to swim in. Excessive levels, on the other hand, can lead to wear and tear of pool equipment, including the pump, pool ladder, and heater.
Secondly, cloudy pool water is never good water. This is a sign of low chlorine or bromine levels. This indicates basic water, which forms scales on any pool surface. Scales can build up on heater coils, salt cells, hot tub jets and plumbing causing more problems. This is why frequent chemistry tests on your pool water are essential.
Repair Loud Pumps
With continuous use, pool and hot tub pumps start becoming louder. This noise commonly originates when water sips into the motor. With continuous use, the rubber seal that separates the pump and motor degrades t it allowing water to sip into the motor. This causes rust on the shaft, increasing friction, which is the source of the loud noise. If ignored, the rust and resultant friction increase, ultimately causing a total breakdown of the pump.
Clean Clogged Filters
Dirty pool and hot tub filters limit water entry. This means that the pump will have to use extra energy to force water, reducing its lifespan. Routine cleaning of the filters is the best way to ensure seamless operations of the pumps. For hot tubs, rinse them twice every week. For pools, regular backwashing comes in handy.
The Bottom Line
With proper maintenance, swimming pools and hot tubs should last two decades. However, without proper maintenance, they can break down in a few years. Whereas it can be costly to undertake these frequent maintenance practices, the cost of replacement outweighs the cost of maintenance. Following the above-mentioned tips can assure an extended life to your swimming pool and hot tub.
