FAQ

Pool Maintenance:

Q: How soon after you treat my pool can I swim?
A: We recommend waiting one hour.

Q: Will I still need to add chemicals occasionally?
A: No. That’s the beauty of working with us, The Poolcare Pros. We’ll treat your pool properly and keep it crystal clear.

Q: Will my pool and spa be cleaned and serviced on the same day each week?
A: Yes, we’ll do our best to maintain a regular schedule. Sometimes the weather delays us, but not for long.

Q: May I change the day of the week my pool is cleaned and serviced?
A: Sure. We try to accommodate scheduling issues that arise.

Q: How long should my filter run each day?
A: Ideally, the filter should run all the time for maximum circulation. However, we recommend a minimum of 12 hours in the summer and 4-6 hours in the winter.

Q: What time should I run my pool filter?
A: To maximize water clarity and prevent algae, run it during the hottest part of the day.

Q: Where should the pool level be during normal operation?
A: At least halfway up the skimmer opening.

Q: If I have your pool service, do I still need to empty my baskets?
A: Yes. We’d be grateful for your assistance with the skimmer and pump baskets–especially during the fall.

Leak Detection:

Q: How can I tell if my pool is leaking?
A: The most common reason for suspecting a pool leak is observation of a larger than normal drop in water level. This water loss may not be obvious if your pool has an automatic fill device (which maintains the pool at a constant level), so keep your eyes open for other symptoms:

• Increased chemical demands (for treating new water added to the pool)
• Increased water bills
• Cracks in the deck resulting from settling earth
• Inexplicable evidence of water outside the pool

If you notice any of these symptoms of a leaking pool, turn your automatic fill device off for 24 hours and monitor the water level. Keep in mind that an uncovered pool will also lose water to evaporation. Evaporation is dependent on a variety of environmental conditions and varies greatly from pool-to-pool and season-to-season. A simple way to account for evaporation and confirm a leak is doing a Bucket Test. Directions for the Bucket Test are listed below.

Air in the Pump or Blowing out of the Return Lines
A pool leak in the suction-side plumbing (from skimmers and main drains to the equipment), may suck air into the lines where it will enter the pump or be blown back into the pool through the return lines. This symptom can also be caused by a blockage or obstruction in the suction lines. Either situation will require immediate professional attention to avoid causing mechanical damage to your pool equipment. The Poolcare Pros will be able to help you determine if the symptoms you have observed are indeed leak-related.

The “Bucket Test” is a great way of checking to see if you have a leak versus evaporation.

Here’s how to do it:

• Fill the level of your pool to normal operating level (normally mid-skimmer).
• Fill a bucket with pool water to about one inch from top.
• Place the bucket on first or second step of pool.
• Mark water level on inside of bucket.
• Shut off pump and mark pool level on outside of bucket.
• Resume normal pump operation.
• After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there is probably a leak.
• In case of rain, repeat the test.

The “Water Loss Test” is a fast and easy way to determine if your pool has a leak. (This test does not work if the pool is heated. If so, use the “Bucket Test.”)

• Fill the level of your pool to normal operating level (usually mid-skimmer).
• With a pencil or piece of tape, mark the pool level. You can also mark the inside of the plastic skimmer with a pencil for a very accurate reading.
• After a 24-hour period, check the pool. If its level has dropped more than ¼”,
  you most likely have a leak (pools can lose up to ¼” a day to evaporation).

Q: What causes most pool leaks?
A: Leaks happen for many reasons. Deterioration of the surface on walls and floor, poor construction, even ground movement can cause pipe damage, which is the most common reason for leaks.

Q: Where does the leaking water go?
A: It seeps into the soil and the underground water-tables. In a short time, this will undermine your pool and plumbing, cause pipes to break and cracks to form in the pool’s shell.

Q:What should I do before a Poolcare Pro comes out to check for leaks?
A: We need you to have the pool filled to the middle of the skimmer or tile line before we come to your appointment so we can inspect all elements of its operation. Please be sure your pool is clean enough for us to dive in, should that be necessary.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use to detect leaks?
A: The Poolcare Pros use the most advanced leak detectors available, ranging from ultrasound listening devices to gas sniffers.

Q: How long will it take to find the leak?
A: Typically, a leak detection takes us one to three hours.

Q: What’s next if a leak is found?
A: As explained earlier, we’ll find its location and give you our best estimate of the cost to repair it.