Helpful Facts New Pool Owners Should Know
Congratulations on your new pool! Time to enjoy… But first, we put together a few useful facts for first time pool owners, so you can learn more about what having a pool entails.
new pool owner
1. Your pool will lose a lot of water.
Many new pool owners are surprised to find out how often they need to add more water to their pools. Evaporation alone will cause you to lose over 25,000 gallons of water each year! Typically you will need to add two to four inches of water each week, although this can vary a bit based upon weather and usage. If you find yourself needing to add significant water to your pool frequently during the summer months, don’t worry, it is normal. Pools typically lose ¼ – ½ inches of water per day due to evaporation.
We recommend checking your water levels regularly to ensure it doesn’t drop below the skimmer box. If that happens, you might end up running your pump dry until it burns out. Also, when your pool water evaporates, you don’t only lose water; you lose the chemicals in the water as well! Conducting regular water tests will determine if things are still balanced.
2. Pool covers provide a multitude of benefits.
Pool covers prevent evaporation, which saves you money on water, salt and chemicals and energy! If you don’t have one already, your pool is probably costing more than it should.
Protecting your pool with a cover can help you prevent up to 99.84% of water loss from evaporation. A pool cover acts as a protective barrier from these elements, stopping your water from disappearing. This means you don’t have to fill it up as often, saving you on your water bill.
Pool covers also have these added benefits:
Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50%
prevents debris from falling into and building up in the pool when you’re not using it
Helps out your filter by making its job easier
Reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%–60%
helps keep your children and pets safe by preventing them from accidentally falling in.
Find out more about pool covers here.
3. Chlorine can kill bacteria, such as E. coli, in as little as one minute.
Chlorine is a mighty worker. It quickly dispatches harmful bacteria and keeps algae away. It’s also fast-acting, killing most bacteria in just a minute if the chlorine is kept at proper disinfection levels and your pool’s water conditions are ideal. But, it can’t kill all illness-causing germs that quickly. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 10 days for some other viruses and parasites to be eradicated. To avoid acquiring a recreational water illness, make sure to regularly check your chlorine and pH levels.
4. Failing to regulate your chlorine and pH can lead to a lot of problems.
What happens if your pool’s chlorine or pH gets out of whack? When this happens, bacteria may develop which can lead to some very unpleasant illnesses. Algae will also build up, which makes your pool look green and murky and creates an icky texture. Even worse, algae can also lead to skin conditions as well as other illnesses, and creates an unsafe slippery surface. Also, did you know too much algae can result in a cracked pool lining? The cost of letting algae develop in your pool really adds up, so we recommend new pool owners start their water testing routine right away!
5. Robotic pool cleaners may actually help you save money in the long run.
Designed to move around the water as they clean, robotic pool cleaners provide increased circulation to your pool’s water. This stops the risk of ‘dead spots’ appearing on your pool walls and floor. you definitely want these dead spots gone, since they lead to the development of algae. Using a robot can save you money that would otherwise be spent on additional chemicals to remove algae and other growths from the pool.
Your pool won’t only look cleaner–there will be less debris and dirt as well. Robotic pool cleaners are extremely thorough and clean all wall and floor surfaces of the pool. They also have their own filtration system, so the pool filter is used less often. This can make the pool’s filtration system less likely to clog up. Giving your pool filter more of a break will help reduce wear and tear. It will also reduce how often you need to replace the filter since it’ll collect less debris.
6. Consistently cleaning your filters will extend your pool pump’s life.
If your pump goes out because your filters get too clogged, it will need to be replaced, which will cost you more in the long run. Regularly cleaning your filter will help keep your filter and pump working optimally so you do not have to make as many replacements down the road.
Want some help keeping your filters clean and healthy, year-round? Check out the Poolwerx Filter Care Plus program! We’ll schedule out filter cleanings and inspections throughout the year, for easy, hands-free professional service.
7. Safety checks are important.
While pools are fun, they can still present some dangers. And we know that keeping your loved ones safe is always a priority. Regular maintenance, water tests, and safety checks are all necessary to ensure your pool stays happy and healthy. Read more to find out all the ins and outs of pool safety!
Welcome to your new pool!
Maybe you just moved into a house with a pool. Or you completed your dream pool project and have a built a new pool, but now you’re not sure how to care for it. Either way, Poolwerx has your back.
With our pool handover and training service, rest assured that you’ll learn all the basics of pool ownership from our expert technicians. Find out more about what our technicians offer here, or go ahead and request a service below!
Request a Quote or Enquire
Our experts at Poolwerx can help you clean and maintain your pool, hassle-free! Our professional technicians are dedicated to delivering top-quality service for a sparkling, well-maintained pool.
