Swimming Pool Tips and Tricks

Pool owners concerned that their pool may have a leak can use the bucket test.

Now that swimming season is here again, we have some tips and tricks to help pool owners enjoy their pools all season.

Remove oils and lotions

Float a tennis ball in the swimming pool to soak up oils and lotions from the pool water’s surface. Oils and lotions leave a sheen or film on the water surface that clings to skin, hair, and swimwear. Keeping a tennis ball floating in the swimming pool will help absorb the oils and sheen from the water surface and prevent it from coating everything that comes from the pool water.

Alkalinity

Pool supply stores sell products with sodium bicarbonate to increase the alkalinity of pool water, a necessary chemical level to keep a pool healthy for swimming. Many might not realize that sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient in household baking soda. Pool owners who are surprised by this information may also be surprised to know that baking soda is a substitute for increasing the alkalinity in pool water, and it may be less expensive at the pool supply store than at a grocery store. Note that baking soda will cloud pool water when used excessively, so it is best to use it sparingly between professional cleanings.

Water level check

Pool owners concerned that their pool may have a leak can use the bucket test. At the start of the day, fill a bucket with water and place it on the steps. Ensure that the water level in the bucket matches the water line on the outside of the bucket. Mark the side of the bucket at the water line. At the end of the day, check and mark the bucket again at the water line. Measure the distance between the two lines to determine how much water evaporated or was lost during the day.

Typically, pool water will evaporate about 1/4” in a day; however, low humidity, bright sun, high temperatures, and wind blowing across the water surface accelerates water evaporation so that the number could be slightly higher. If the pool level drops over 1 inch in a day, repeat the measuring process for several more days to verify if the pool is consistently losing that much water. Consistent drops in water levels that are over the average can indicate a water leak in the pool or filtration and pump systems.

Note that If the pool is outfitted with an automatic water leveler, turn the water off on the test day to ensure accurate measurement.

Solar pool covers

Using a solar pool cover (which looks like bubble wrap) on a pool serves three primary functions.

Comfortably warm in the cooler winter months: A solar pool cover keeps the pool temperature warm and comfortable without running a pool water heater.

Keep debris out: A pool cover keeps debris out of the pool, which reduces the need to clean and chemically treat the pool water.

Reduce evaporation: A pool cover will significantly reduce water evaporation. Wind motion over water surfaces accelerates evaporation. Keeping a pool cover on when the swimming pool is not in use will not only make the pool water warm and comfortable but will also keep it cleaner and reduce water loss due to evaporation.

In Depth Pool Service is a residential pool service for El Dorado Hills and surrounding areas. We provide cleaning, maintenance, and pool equipment repairs. Call us at (916) 633-7729.