You’re new to swimming pool ownership so you are probably wondering what will a swimming pool service contractor do for my pool? You can certainly Google it or watch YouTube videos or ask your friends and family what their pool contractor does. The swimming pool service contractors from Seahorse Pools & Spas are happy to explain what a service contractor will do.
Swimming pool water doesn’t stay magically clean, clear and bacteria-free. To keep pool water clear and swimmable it requires pool pump and filtering equipment as well as cleaning and the addition of chemicals. Not only is cleaning and adding pool chemicals to the water a way to keep the water safe for swimming it is also a way to help assure algae doesn’t bloom in the water.
There are two ways to assure your pool is working correctly and that the water is safe for use:
- Do it yourself
- Hire a swimming pool service professional
What will a swimming pool service contractor do for my pool?
The do-it-yourselfer pool owners take great joy in testing the water chemistry, cleaning the pool, running the pump and filter, brushing the walls, vacuuming the pool and caring for the filter. They have time on their hands and simply love tackling those kind of tasks. Still other pool owners have limited free time and the little time they have they want to spend in the pool, not working on the pool. Regardless of the camp you fall in you can hire a pool contractor for full time cleaning or one for part time cleaning.
If you’ve decided you do want to clean the pool and take on all maintenance tasks, but aren’t sure where to begin, ask us for a “lesson” in pool cleaning. You can also buy your pool chemicals from us and call upon us for occasional cleanings or your pool opening and closing needs.
If you know from the beginning of your pool ownership time that you want to hire a pool pro, here are some of the things a pool service pro will do for you. If you are going to clean and maintain the pool on your own, here, too is a list of items you will need to take care of.
- Test the water chemicals. Buy a test kit and strips and understand what the readings mean
- Add chemicals
- Perform pool opening, pool closing
- Backwashing the filter
- Scrub the pool walls and sides and behind the ladder
- Vacuum the pool
- Inspect pool equipment and plumbing to make certain it’s operating efficiently
- Inspect pool accessories
The cost for cleaning and servicing a swimming pool varies based on many items — from the size of your pool, its depth, frequency of cleaning, the amount of use it sees, and other factors. Plan to spend about $125+ per month. If you’re caring for the pool on your own you will need to invest in all of the pool chemicals and cleaning equipment and have a safe place to store the equipment and chemicals, too.
Ask a potential swimming pool service contractor these questions prior to signing a service contract:
- What is included in the price
- How often will visits be scheduled for the price
- Is he licensed and insured
- If signing a contract for the summer offers a price break
- Ask for names and contact information for his current and former clients that you can connect with
- Does he offer emergency service repairs and at what cost?
- Do you get a break on the cost of a pool opening or pool closing
If you run into trouble with your pool maintenance, call a pool professional as soon as possible to assure there is no damage to the pool or its equipment.