- Pool water must be tested every week. You need to make sure the water is safe to swim in. There is know way to visually look at a pool and see that it is safe.
- If you are adding chlorine tabs without testing the water, it could result in the pool becoming to acidic and too much stabilizer.
- The Florida Sun destroys the chlorine and adding a stabilizer will help protect the cholerine from the sun.
- If you use your pool everyday this will use up the chlorine quickly and the water will not have the proper amount of sanitizer and chlorine that will be safe for swimmers. Be sure to check regularly.
- If your chlorine level is low, has heavy use, high levels of nitrates and phosphates algae will form. Algae can be slippery in your pool, but not very dangerous it also shows there is a water problem.
- If you have a continuous problem with algae it usually indicates that your pool has high levels of nitrates and phosphates. This will result in algae growth. If you happen to use fertilizer near the pool, use reclaimed water to fill the pool, clean the pool deck with harsh chemicals, animals urinating by the pool are all sources of nitrates.
- Do not use reclaimed water to fill your pool. It is against the law in Florida to add to the pool water or fill a pool with reclaimed water. Reclaimed water also has high levels of nitrates and phosphates, both cause algae in your pool.
- You can test nitrates and phosphates. There are commercial products to remove them.
- Your pool pump should run 8 hours per day during the summer months and 6 hours per day during the winter months. If you have a saltwater pool this would be 10 hours in the summer and 8 hours for the winter months.
- Energy and efficient pumps and motors can reduce your electric bill as much $550.00 per year.
- Clean your pool filter monthly. Your filter should last at least a year.
- If you have a broken or a missing main drain grate in the pool or spa replace immediately. This is very dangerous and can be fatal. It can cause someone to become entrapped.
- Never drain your own pool. Have a professional drain it. If you try and drain your own pool you may cause it to “pop out” of the ground. If this happens it will be very expensive to fix.
Remember Pool Safety
In the state of Florida, you must have a fence or a safety wall, or a combination of both, that surrounds the pool. It must also be 4 feet tall.