Michael has been taking care of Las Vegas pools since 1996. These are the two tips he gives every pool owner, with the reasons behind them.
Tip 01. Keep your filter clean
Filter cleaning is essential for a clean, clear pool. Your pump pushes water through the filter all day. The filter catches dirt, dust, debris and dead algae so the water comes back clear. When the filter is clogged, water moves through it more slowly, less of it gets cleaned, and the chlorine has to do all the work. In Las Vegas, with wind and monsoon dust blowing into the water, filters fill up faster than many people expect.
Signs your filter needs attention
- Filter pressure is up. Most filters have a pressure gauge. Note the reading when the filter is clean; when it climbs well above that, the filter needs cleaning.
- Weak flow from the returns. Less water coming back into the pool usually means a dirty filter.
- Cloudy water that will not clear, even with good chlorine levels.
- After a dust storm or a green-to-clean. Both load a filter up quickly.
How often a filter needs cleaning depends on the type of filter, how much the pool is used and what blows into it. If you are not sure, ask us, or let weekly pool service keep an eye on it for you. A filter that keeps clogging, leaks or loses pressure may need a repair.
Tip 02. Change your water every 3 years or less
Change your pool water every 3 years or less. Pool water ages. Every time it evaporates, the minerals stay behind. Every top-off with Las Vegas tap water, which is hard, adds more calcium. Every chemical added leaves something too. Over a few years the water fills up with dissolved solids, calcium and stabilizer, and it gets harder to keep balanced and clear no matter what you add.
Signs your water is due
- It has been about 3 years since the last water change, or you do not know when it was.
- Chemicals do not seem to work the way they used to.
- Scale builds up fast on the tile line after it is cleaned.
- The water looks dull or stays slightly cloudy.
When it is time, we can drain your pool for you. See pool drains for how it works, and consider an acid wash or tile cleaning while the pool is empty.
Not sure where your pool stands?
Call 702-366-3440 for a free diagnostic. We will take a look at your filter, your water and your equipment and tell you what we see.
