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An in-the-ground, older spa spent the winter unused
because of light bulb, tiling and caulking repairs. In May, the heater was
eagerly flipped on. The gas jets ignited promisingly, but wouldn't stay lit.
The problem? Spiders. They love the smell of natural gas. Drawn to
inactive, back yard swimming pool and spa heaters, the insects nest in the
jets, clogging them. A common problem, solved by a new burner tray.
But the problem could have avoided it altogether. By turning on the
heater, five minutes twice a month, while running the filter pump. Much of
pool and spa maintenance is like that, say maintenance experts.
Maintenance is Key:
 | Simple routines based on the calendar, weather in your part of the
country, bathing load and accepted pool/spa practices in your region ensure
years of sparkling trouble-free water. |
| "Preventative maintenance of the system is the key to operating a pool or
spa. |
In summer, with hot weather and pool parties, homeowners need to up their
maintenance routines to account for:
| Higher Bathing Loads: A back yard pool is not designed as a public
pool. Cloudy water results when homeowners throw pool parties, yet follow
maintenance routines designed for fewer bathers. Hot, sweaty
lotion-wearing swimmers and those in jeans and cotton T-shirts use up
chlorine fast. Chlorine breaks down organic material, including fabrics. |
| Algae: Forget conditioner, also called a stabilizer, and you waste
chlorine. Conditioners retard the break-down of chlorine, which is
extremely unstable and dissipates rapidly. The end result in your pool is
yellow and green algae, or stubborn black algae from even longer neglect. |
| Water Testing: Testing reveals the state of your water so you can
restore it to neutral with chlorine, bromine, acid or stabilizers. It is
recommended to use test strips instead of the common, two-liquid kit. You
can also bring water samples to a pool supply store for a more extensive
check of metals, total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorine, alkalinity,
calcium hardness and cyanuric acid. |
More Summertime Tips:
Other tips for summer include:
| Allowing only polyester suits in the water. |
| Informing your pool service beforehand about parties, so adjustments
can be made. |
| Running your filter longer and adding chlorine after parties. Filters
may need to be washed afterward. |
| Operating filters at least two hours daily. |
| Removing organic debris regularly. |
| Testing water at least three times weekly. Spas require more testing
because of hot temperatures and less water. |
Maintenance for All Seasons:
| But your work doesn't end when temperatures start to dip after Labor Day.
Pool maintenance is a year-round proposition. Below you'll find a checklist
of things to do each season to keep your pool healthy. |
In The Fall:
In The Winter:
| Maintenance depends on climate and ground conditions. If
you live in a cold-weather area, drain your pool to prevent damage from
freezing water. In more moderate climates, where the temperature drops only
occasionally below freezing, you can get by without draining. Add antifreeze
and run the filter to keep the water moving. |
| However, in warm-weather states, it's best to check the maintenance
practices in your area. Draining a pool or spa where there's soft terrain
can push the pool or spa 2 feet above ground. |
In The Spring you'll want to ensure that your pool is ready for
summer. You should check the:
| Water levels and pH. Add water and conditioners, if necessary. |
| Filters. Wash them out, if necessary. |
| Skimmer baskets and hoses on automatic cleaners. Replace all worn
hoses. |
| Pilot light and heater. |
| Rubberized seal between the pool decking and pool. If it's cracked and
separating, remove and replace it. |
| Underwater lights. Replace burned-out bulbs. |
| Bolts on diving boards, slides, handrails and pool ladders for
corrosion. Tighten or replace them, if needed. |
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