How long should I run my pool pump?
Swimming pool pumps should run long enough to circulate your entire pool volume of water in one day. Typically most pumps take 8 hours to circulate a entire pool. Small pools can operate for shorter periods because there is less water to filter. Failure to circulate your pool water completely can result in algae growth and unsanitary water. Pool professionals cannot maintain a pool properly without circulating the water long enough.
How much does it cost to run my pool pump?
There are many variables here, but on average it will cost roughly $50-$100 a month to run a pool pump 8 hours a day. If your Electric bill just spiked it is not because of your pool pump. The most common spike due to swimming pools is Gas, which your pool heater uses to heat the swimming pool and does get very costly!
I'm losing water and refilling my pool weekly, is this normal?
Typically pools will lose up to 3 inches per week due to evaporation and splash out. Anything above and beyond that the pool should be inspected for a leak. One easy way to find out is the bucket test. Fill a bucket up with water about half way and set it on the first step inside your pool. Now make a mark at the waterline of the water inside the bucket and the waterline outside the bucket marking the pool water line (they do not have to match up). Let it sit for a week and compare the water loss in the bucket to the pool. If they are the same, it's just evaporation. If the pool water level is much lower, it is a leak somewhere. Unless you can physically see a water leak at the pool equipment, it's best to hire a professional leak detection company to figure out where it is.
Do I need to maintain my pool water level?
Yes. Pool business insurance does not cover damage due to water overflow. Also, filling the pool while serviced once a week does not make much of a impact on the overall water level.
How often does my pool filter need cleaning?
Your pool filter should be cleaned 2 times per year, and sometimes more depending on your pools needs. Cleaning your pool filter is a crucial part of a balanced and safe pool. If you have pets that use the pool your filter may need to be cleaned more often.
Can dogs swim in my pool?
Of course the answer is yes, but be aware that a dog swimming is equivalent to about 50 people swimming. If your dog swims a lot it will impact the balance of the water and make it more difficult to maintain and additional chemical cost. I would suggest cleaning the filter at least twice a year if your dog uses the pool.
Are salt water pools chlorine free?
No. The salt cell generates chlorine to sanitize the pool water. The pool is still a "chlorine" pool. One common misconception that some salt cell manufacturers make is that you will never need to add chlorine. It is almost always necessary to still add chlorine to a salt water pool to maintain proper chemistry.
Do variable speed pumps really save money?
Yes they do. There is a catch though. The variable speed pumps save energy by running at lower RPM's, but by lowering the RPM rate it also decreases the suction. When the suction is reduced your bottom cleaner (pool vacuum) will not operate properly, and the amount of water the pump filters lowers as well. This can be somewhat compensated for by programming a portion of the pump schedule to run at a higher RPM, but this will only allow your bottom cleaner (pool vacuum) to vacuum during those programmed hours and leave your pool dirtier day to day. One fact that most homeowners do not understand about variable speed pumps is that you typically have to run the pump longer then your old one to compensate for the lower RPM, and when the pump runs at the higher RPM's it is not as energy efficient. That said, variable speed pumps will reduce your electricity cost and if programmed properly, can still maintain a clean swimming pool.
Is scale buildup normal on the tile line and spillways?
The short answer is yes. No matter how balanced your pool water is, how much brushing you do, or how much descale chemicals you put in the pool, calcium deposits will always show up at some point. Now that's not to say that this process can't be sped up... Years of poor water balance, not replenishing your pool water, and neglect will speed up the process for sure. But don't worry, we have specialized equipment to remove those calcium deposits!
