How Many Amateur “Tech’s” does it take to Screw up a Pool?

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.