Your pool has been acting strange. You think you’re doing everything right, yet with each passing day, you start to wonder if you need pool maintenance services.
Pools are just like any other feature on your property. You can do your best to keep up with maintenance needs, but things happen. Still, it’s good to know the difference between small blips and major concerns. Here are ten examples of what experts consider red flags that indicate a pool needs repairs.
1. You Have Green Pool Water
Pool water should be one color: crystal-clear blue. If you wake up to see it green, that means your pool chemicals aren’t pulling their weight.
The green color comes from algae. Algae can grow rapidly if there isn’t enough chlorine in the water. Fortunately, this problem can be resolved in a few different ways, some of which you can do yourself.
The first is to test the water, see where the chemical levels are, and adjust them. You’ll also want to buy algaecide and pool shock to ensure that you eliminate every last inch of algae.
However, algae growth could mean there are problems with your pool’s cleaning system. You might have enough chemicals, but the pump isn’t distributing them throughout the pool evenly. This is why calling professionals is ideal; they’ll clean your pool and diagnose any issues with the equipment.
2. You Have a Pool Heater Malfunction
Pool heaters are essential for a comfortable swim experience. But if yours isn’t reaching the desired temperature, that means you need professional eyes on the issue.
Damaged pool heaters aren’t always a significant problem if you don’t mind a cold plunge and a 30-minute adjustment period. The real issue comes from how expensive they are to run when they’re unoptimized.
You might be spending a fortune heating your pool a measly few degrees. But when you call in the professionals for pool maintenance services, you save money on heating your pool, and it will actually reach the proper temperatures. That’s important — you should get what you pay for!
3. You Notice Cracks in the Pool
While noticing cracks on the swimming pool walls or deck isn’t always an emergency, cracks are a clear sign that it’s time to call for assistance.
Surface cracking is mostly just aesthetically displeasing. But that doesn’t mean it can’t turn into a problem long-term. Additionally, most homeowners won’t know the difference between surface and structural cracking. The latter is much more threatening to your pool’s well-being and likely means there could be a pool leak. It’s best to call for professional pool maintenance services the minute you notice a crack.
4. You Have Cloudy Water or Low Water Quality
What’s the only acceptable color for pool water? Crystal-clear blue. So if yours is a murky or cloudy blue, that’s a sign that something’s amiss.
Cloudy water usually means your pump is failing. A broken pump leads to dirty water being spit back out into your pool instead of going through the filter. The result is bacteria and eventually algae growth.
However, cloudy water could also mean you have cracking or leaking in the pool wall. And there’s a third culprit: too much chlorine in the water. The only thing you can completely rule out yourself is the chlorine, so it’s worth testing the levels before you call. If you think your water quality is low, call BlueHaven POTG today.
5. You Notice High Energy Bills
Your heater isn’t the only part of your pool that can cause your energy bills to soar. Any malfunctioning part of your pool can tip the scales. If you see a noticeable increase in your energy bills and you aren’t sure why, the answer could be a broken pool.
Broken parts can still mostly work — they will just cost you an arm and a leg. They’ll work harder than they need to, and you’ll get mediocre or even worse results for a higher price. Call a professional if you’ve seen an increase in energy expenses and you think your pool might be part of the problem.
6. You Hear Strange Noises From the Equipment
This is a catch-all recommendation for all home maintenance: if you hear strange noises from your appliances, it’s time to call a professional. Most pool equipment should barely make noise. Once you start hearing banging or clunking, you likely have a mechanical problem on your hands with faulty equipment.
7. You Notice Loose or Damaged Tiles
Loose or cracked tiles don’t look great, but that’s far from the only reason you should address them. Seeing damaged tiles often means there are underlying issues within your pool.
For example, missing tiles could mean the entire pool structure is stressed or shifting. Damaged tiles could also mean there’s water somewhere between the walls and tiles. Either way, you should hire professionals to replace the tiles and see if there’s anything more sinister beneath the surface.
8. Your Pool Is Leaking
Pool owners who find themselves refilling the pool more than usual might have a leak. Leaks are troublesome for many reasons. In the short term, they waste a ton of water. But long-term, they cause structural damage.
Monitor your water loss over a few weeks and keep track of your findings. Any significant drops mean that there’s a leak somewhere in your pool, and you should contact a professional right away.
9. You Have a Feeling Something Is Wrong
The problem with pool issues is that many don’t necessarily need repairs. But the only way to be certain of that is to have a professional come and assess the situation.
If an issue is enough to drive you to seek answers, it probably warrants an expert eye. Call a pool service professional and at least discuss your issue to help fast-track yourself to a solution and keep costs down. DIY pool repair can end up costing you more if you are unfamiliar with pools.
10. You Have Damaged Pool Equipment
Sometimes, the problem is obvious. If you have clear, noticeable damage to your pool equipment, you need to call for a fix.
Schedule Your Pool Maintenance Services With Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf
Do you recognize your pool in any of these warning signs? We’re here to help. Contact BlueHaven Pools on the Gulf today to get your pool back to its former glory.