Owning a pool in the Southwest often means three-digit summer temperatures that usually render citizens powerless on their couch, bowl of ice cream in hand. However, the scorching summer heat can sometimes bring a little more than just some sunburn and sweat. As other pool pros in the Southwest know, drought can be problematic for us and our customers. For example, unresolved equipment leaks or pool leaks can result in high water bills and, more importantly, a reduction in precious water reserves.
As a pool service provider in Dallas, Texas, we at Sterling Pool Service have had our fair share of experiences with panicked customers during drought seasons. While some problems may require your professional help, below are a few things you can tell your customers to aid in keeping their pool up and running during the drought:
How to Check for Leaks
Normal evaporation is one inch per week. If your customer is unsure they have a pool leak, ask them to do the bucket test as follows:
1.Make sure the pool is filled halfway up the tile, which is the proper water level.
2.Fill a container with water and place it on your top or second step, level with the pool water.
3.Mark the water level on the outside of the bucket with tape or a marker.
4.Run the system 24 hours.
5.If the water level in the pool is lower than the bucket, they may have a leak. Normal evaporation will occur in the bucket, but it won’t lose water.
6.If the water level in the pool dropped, make a note of how far. If it drops ½ inch or more in 24 hours, they may have an underground leak.
7.Refill the pool to the proper water level and maintain it so the system doesn’t “run dry” and burn up the equipment.
8.If the bucket has lost more water than the pool, you may be in need of leak detection.
Possible Leak Locations
If you think you're dealing with a leak, start by looking for equipment leaks at the backwash valve, filter band clamp and or other fittings, any of which can cause the pool to loose water. Leak detections should be done when there are no aboveground leaks and the bucket test indicates higher than normal water loss. During summer drought, detecting leaks ASAP is important in saving water and keeping the pool running properly, as well as saving your client time, money, and frustration.
Maintenance Matters
Proper pool maintenance is especially vital during high temperatures. As a service provider for over 26 years, we've seen a rainbow of colors in our clients' pools — all of which are avoidable. Proper chemical balance is crucial to healthy water — if the system goes down, a pool should never turn green. The pool can be safely shocked by broadcasting 8 to 10 lbs. of granular chlorine, then brushing the sides and bottom for circulation.
The pool will be cloudy for 2 to 3 hours, and the process may have to be repeated. It’s imported to note that this should not be done with a saltwater pool or on a pool with colored plaster.
And don’t forget the filter. Regular filter cleans and routine backwashing are crucial as the filter grids collect pollen, dirt, and debris, and will cake to the grids over time. This leads to poor water circulation, algae, high pressure and chemical imbalance, making pools unusable and even dangerous for swimmers.
These are just a few tips you pass onto your customers during the drought season. With the recent water restrictions, it's important to provide your customers with valuable information to help keep their pools running in peak performance.
