How Many Amateur “Tech’s”
does it take to Screw up a Pool?
Sounds like the start of a bad quip or joke, but we won’t be
laughing when we give amateurs free rein to screw up our pool. It’s not
uncommon for us to correlate a clean pool with what we unwittingly regard as quality
pool service. Regrettably, it’s only subsequent to costing us more than anticipated
when we engage our service company to inquire as to if we are in fact getting what
we paid for. Typically, we only start questioning our decision to hire the
“cheaper” service when equipment fails unexpectedly, stains develop in our pool
finish or miraculously, expensive “things” need done. When a new pump, heater
or refinish are suddenly a staple of our service companies dialogue with us, we
begin asking questions and only
then will we see the true value of who we hired to manage our pool for us.
It’s true we all want to save our hard earned money, but
when we make a big investment, such as in a $20,000-$80,000 pool; we somehow
don’t value the importance of ensuring it is maintained or serviced properly.
Opting instead, for the cheapest we can get. But, when the rubber hits the road,
bargain priced pool service only saves us an average around $250 a year, or $20
a month. Not a bad little bit of cash, but when we dig deeper to see how much
$20 saves when we hire a professional, the joke then, is on us. For example:
· Poor chemical maintenance will eat away at the
seals in our pump, allowing water to get into our motor. We could save $300-$1600
on a new motor or pump.
· Improper chemical balance can result in scaling,
deterioration, discoloration and staining our interior finish. It can also make
the finish extremely abrasive, like sandpaper. We could save a whopping $3,000
to $7,000 depending on the complexity and type of finish.
· Build up in our salt cell, reducing chlorine
production, life of the cell and a myriad of challenges in trying to keep up
with our chlorine demand and eventual failure of our salt cell, would save
$500-$1,800 on a new cell or system if the chemicals are managed properly.
· Our heater is particularly susceptible to
improperly balanced chemicals. Our heaters heat exchanger tubes can build up on
the inside, reducing flow of water which increases the temperature rise. Warped
heat exchanger, condensation, sooting and eventual failure of the heater is
inevitable. We may also develop holes in the heat exchanger from the PH of the
water being too low. We might save $2,000-$5,000 on repairs or a new heater.
When imagining the alternative cost bargain service
“rewards” us, we can then see the importance of a service which knows and
ensures proper chemical balance of our pool. In the end, it makes $20 a month
seem like chump change compared to the deep pockets we will need when cheap
service ruins our "stuff." Even more
disturbing, our family might be swimming in what we think is a safe swimming
environment and yet is caustic enough to eat through copper tubing, deteriorate
rubber seals and erode or stain our pool finish. Nothing is as important, certainly
not $20 a month than our family and peace of mind.
The next post will include tips to make sure our pool
service is up to snuff and ready to manage our pool, equipment and chemicals
effectively and safely. Until then, please consider the cost of $20 a month and
what we are potentially exposing us, our family and our pool to. Some jokes
start off good but in the end, really aren’t that funny. Let’s not wait for the
punch line from a pool service which would be better comedians to find out.
Let’s take control before it cost us more than what we “bargained” for.
