If you are not heating your pool or don’t use your pool as much in the colder months, now is the best time of year for doing pool maintenance.
Chris Quam, owner of Arizona Pool Guy Inc., offers a maintenance timeline for pool owners.
Pool Maintenance Checklist
Yearly—clean cartridge filters and diatomaceous (DE) filter grids.
2 to 3 years—drain and refill pool with fresh water.
3 to 4 years—replace cartridge filters and DE filter grids.
5 to 7 years—complete sand replacement in sand filters.
10 to 15 years—refinish pool surface.
“If you live in the Alta Mesa neighborhoods, or any home built before 2000, your pool probably is due for refinishing,” Chris stated. “If you notice chips, puckers or staining on your pool surface, it’s time. Redo the plaster and tile surround for a clean, fresh look, or you can upgrade with one of the beautiful new pebble finishes. There are natural stone looks or combinations with colored glass beads or abalone shell pieces in all sorts of dramatic colors,” he continued. “While refinishing the pool, it’s also a good time to add a water feature or expand the decking.”
In addition, if you don’t have a heating system for your pool, why not add one now. “We have a winter special on an economical heat-pump system,” Chris said. He also suggests adding a spa, gazebo, fire pit, or the most popular of all these days, an outdoor kitchen. “Winter is such a great outdoor time here,” he added. “You want to make the most of your home’s outside areas. And, of course, we install new pools, and alternative chlorine systems, too.”
Because of Arizona’s heat and sun, it can be risky to empty your pool in the summer because it can damage the exposed plaster, so now is the best time to do it. “As pool water evaporates, it concentrates hard water mineral buildup on tile and chrome,” Chris said. “That, mixed with chemical and organic byproducts, will make your skin feel dry.”
If you’re buying a home with a pool, you definitely want to start out with fresh, clean water. “We use a quick turnaround to pump out the used water, quickly refill with fresh water, and set the chemical balance,” Chris explained.
If you have an older pool pump, replacing your existing pump with a variable speed pool pump can reduce your pool energy costs by up to 80 percent and save you up to $400 per year, according to the Arizona Public Service website. APS offers rebates of $150 for qualifying equipment, and Salt River Project offers $100. “We are certified variable speed pump installers, and provide the paperwork to get homeowners their rebates,” said Chris.
For information on any pool service, installation or repair, contact Chris Quam at (480) 699-0607. Voted Best of Mesa 2014 Best Pool Company, Arizona Pool Guy Inc. is licensed, bonded and insured, ROC #243628.