Guide to swimming pool maintenance in the Algarve

This guide to swimming pool maintenance has been written specifically for you who want to swim towards joy, not despair! And for you who have already realized that the task of taking care of these square meters of pure delight can be as mysterious as the bottom of the ocean!

Fortunately, we’re going to unveil all the secrets of the wet universe of swimming pool maintenance in the Algarve.

If you read on, you’ll learn about the stages of this regular work, the products and equipment used and you’ll also learn how to delegate it to a trusted partner… or learn how to balance chemicals and make magic potions to keep the water clean and crystal clear, at your own risk!

Benefits of pool maintenance in the Algarve

Proper maintenance of swimming pools in the Algarve – or in any other region of the country – offers a number of benefits for owners and users, including

Cleaning

Swimming pool maintenance in the Algarve ensures that the water always remains clean, crystal clear and safe for users’ health. It also helps to prevent the growth of algae, bacteria and other organisms that can make the water unhealthy.

On the other hand, water that is not treated regularly can cause health problems such as ear and eye infections and skin rashes.

Security

An up-to-date pool maintenance is a safer pool because this service includes checking materials (such as loose tiles) and repairing any problems (such as a faulty filtration system).

Durability

Pool maintenance ensures a long service life because it includes cleaning and preserving materials such as linings, tiles and filtration systems.

Economy

It’s easier and cheaper to maintain than to repair, in other words, preventive maintenance is cheaper than swimming pool repair in the Algarve.

Don’t forget that keeping the water pH-balanced helps prolong the life of equipment such as pumps and filters.

Comfort

A well-maintained pool is more appealing and pleasant. The clean, transparent water makes the swimming experience irresistible!

Valorization

Pool maintenance can increase the resale value of your property if you consider selling the house, because modern buyers value beautiful pools in good condition, whether it’s summer or winter.

Preservation

By keeping the chemistry of pool water balanced, you avoid wasting water and contribute to preserving the environment.

Can I maintain the pool at my own risk?

You can… if you have the time, the skills, the knowledge of pool maintenance and the necessary products and equipment. If not, it’s best to outsource this to a swimming pool company in the Algarve.

Advantages of pool maintenance by a professional company

When it comes to looking after the pool, you might feel like you’re taking part in the new season of the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries”. That’s why you need to know the advantages of hiring a company that specializes in pool maintenance:

Experience

Swimming pool maintenance companies have experienced professionals who are used to carrying out this type of work. If problems occur, they will know how to resolve them efficiently, and this can prevent more serious (and more costly) problems in the long run.

In addition to solving immediate problems, professional companies also implement preventive maintenance measures to avoid future problems.

Specialization

Professional companies also have teams specialized in pool maintenance, ready to solve any kind of challenge: from the secrets of water chemistry to equipment and filtration systems!

Quality

With high quality standards that must be maintained, the companies carry out pool maintenance according to best practices.

Economy

A pool maintenance company in the Algarve will do the job in much less time than a private individual, even if they have some experience in this type of task.

Regularity

Most swimming pool companies in the Algarve offer regular maintenance plans to keep pools clean and functional at all times.

Products

Professional companies use their own high-quality chemicals and equipment.

Compliance

Certified pool maintenance companies know and comply with local and national regulations and standards.

In short, hiring a professional pool maintenance company can be the most convenient and reliable solution for keeping your pool in top condition. It saves time and effort. Gain peace of mind!

What products and equipment are needed to maintain swimming pools?

Chlorine, brushes, skimmers, algaecides, muriatic acid, pumps, filters… Pool maintenance requires a wide variety of chemical products and equipment to ensure that the water remains clean, balanced and safe for use. For example:

• Chlorine to disinfect pool water.
• Sodium bicarbonate to increase the pH of pool water.
• Muriatic acid to reduce the pH of pool water.
• Algaecides to prevent algae growth in the pool.
• Clarifier to remove particles suspended in water, improving clarity.
• Chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric) to keep the pool’s chlorine level stable.
• Test kits for measuring pH and chlorine levels in water.
• Pool pump to ensure that the water passes through the filtration system and chemical treatment.
• Pool filter to remove particles and impurities from the water.
• Skimmer to remove debris from the surface of the water.
• Manual or automatic pool brush to remove dirt from the bottom of the pool.

What are the stages of pool maintenance?

There’s no point in cheating! Pool maintenance involves several important steps that cannot be skipped, and which must be carried out regularly to ensure that the water is clean and in good condition for use:

1. test the water

Pool maintenance begins with pH and chlorine tests to measure levels.

2. Clean superficially

Next, the technicians clean the surface of the pool with a skimmer to remove debris from the water’s surface, such as leaves, insects and dirt.

3. Brushing

The pool walls, bottom and edges are then brushed to remove any accumulated dirt.

4. Aspirate

Vacuuming the pool is the fourth step, which should be done with a manual or automatic pool vacuum cleaner.

5. Check the filter

After vacuuming, it’s time to check that the pool filter is working properly, cleaning and replacing elements if necessary.

6. Adding chemicals

Taking into account the results of the water tests, pool maintenance technicians can add algaecides or other chemicals to normalize.

7. Cleaning the equipment

Once the water has normalized, it’s time to clean the skimmer and pump baskets. What should be done regularly to maintain the health of the pool.

8. Carry out preventive maintenance

If necessary, the technicians check and adjust the filter pressure and lubricate the valve seals. If the pump seal is worn, you can replace it.

9. Check circulation and water level

After preventive maintenance, it’s time to check that the water is circulating properly and that the pool’s water level is within the recommended range. If necessary, the technicians add water or remove excess water.

10. Cleaning the heat pump

If the pool has a heat pump or heater, this equipment should also be cleaned regularly.

How often should the pool be maintained?

Well, that’s the question everyone asks when they start looking after a swimming pool, in the hope of hearing an exciting answer like “once a year”. But the truth is that you should do it much more often.

Even so, the frequency depends on the weather conditions and the use and type of pool, so the ideal is to follow the maintenance company’s recommendations to prolong the life of all the equipment.

In any case, you can carry out daily maintenance in the summer, when you use the pool the most, removing debris with a skimmer.

You can check the pump and filter weekly, test the pH and chlorine levels (and adjust them) and brush the walls and bottom of the pool.

Every month or at the beginning of each season, you can call in the maintenance company’s technicians for more complex work, such as alkalinity tests, lubricating valve seals and replacing the pump seal, if necessary.

Pool maintenance in spring

In spring, it is essential to carry out pool maintenance to prepare the pool for the summer season. As well as general cleaning, the technicians will check all the equipment, test and measure the water and repair leaks or replace broken tiles if necessary.

Pool maintenance in summer

In summer it’s important to take care of the pool to ensure that the water is clean and safe for continued use during the hot months, which in the Algarve region is particularly important with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees. At this point, daily maintenance through water testing, cleaning and brushing is justified.

Pool maintenance in the fall

In the fall it is crucial to prepare the pool for the off-season, protecting all components from adverse weather conditions. Although in the Algarve the climate is mild all year round, in winter you are unlikely to use the pool, so in late fall you can start unplugging it and storing some components in a dry, protected place.

Pool maintenance in winter

In winter, pool maintenance is often limited to putting up the cover to protect the pool from debris, leaves and dirt build-up. If you have a pool heating system, turn it off during the winter to save energy.

What are the main problems that can arise during a pool maintenance service, and their solutions?

It’s true that some problems can arise during a pool maintenance service, but don’t worry because there are usually immediate and effective solutions. For example:

• Chlorine levels may be too low or too high and need to be adjusted.
• The pH may be unbalanced and make the water cloudy, so it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate to increase the pH or muriatic acid to reduce it.
• Some algae may have appeared, making the water green and slippery, and requiring the immediate addition of algaecides.
• Some equipment, such as pumps and filters, may be faulty and in need of repair or replacement.
• Small water leaks also need to be repaired by sealing cracks.
• Stains can form on the tiles, which should be brushed off and washed with specific cleaning products for swimming pools.
• Your electricity bill could be rising due to poorly maintained pool equipment, so preventive maintenance is essential to save energy. In addition, you should turn off the equipment when not in use.

We hope that this dive into the world of pool maintenance has been sufficiently refreshing and enlightening, but if you have any questions, please get in touch with Pools And More: for us, taking care of pools is always an adventure with a happy ending!