Swimming into the Season

Spring is here. It’s time to get your pools ready for summer fun.

By XOCHITL FLORES, Church Pool Services

The cold weather is warming, and we are finally able to leave our big coats at home, which can only mean one thing, Spring has arrived. With the summer heat slowly creeping in, swimming pool season is just around the corner. As we all know, pools are an attractive and important amenity for a lot of apartments.

Pools are a facility used by so many residentsinfants, retirees, families, fitness seekers, sunbathers, couples and individuals alike. But so many people overlook the work it takes to open the pool for summer fun.

For example, most pools in our area reopen around the same time each year and the companies that clean and service them can get extremely busy, extremely fast. Failing to contact them early may mean that you have to keep the lock on your swimming pool gate closed a little longer than expected.

You also want to consider that even though your swimming pool is in a residential apartment community, it is considered a commercial swimming pool and therefore is subject to federal, state and local laws and guidelines. Commercial swimming pools must also pass an annual inspection and be permitted, both of which are handled by your county’s health department.

If you are a professional community manager, keep in mind all the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act requirements. This means making sure gates, latches and perimeter fencing are in working order, repairing shifting sections of concrete decks equal to or greater than one-quarter inch in height and/or length, and ensuring the pool and equipment are properly grounded. It is also recommended that a licensed electrician certify proper grounding. It’s also good practice to have an annual inspection performed on the concrete deck sealant to be proactive about potential washouts under the decking.

When preparing a swimming pool for the summer season, it is also important to inspect and make any needed repairs to furniture and other structures that might stall you from opening your pool to residents.

Here are a few other reminders on how to get your pool ready for summer:

Cleaning, a basic aspect:

Prevent dirt and larger elements from entering the pool filter by removing it with a net. Try to remove leaves and debris that are floating on the surface, preferable once a day to prevent them from sinking and making it more difficult to recover.

Those objects that have sunk and are smaller, need to be removed with a vacuum cleaner, which serves both to clean the floor and the walls. Brush the pool daily will also help in keeping your pool algae free.

Empty out pump and skimmer baskets at least once a week, also rinsing them with a little water. This will prevent bacteria and other undesirable elements from accumulating.

Chemical balance:

Keeping your pool water balanced is the most crucial key to ensuring a safe and healthy swimming environment. If any chemical is slightly off, it can throw the others off, making your pool a breeding ground for bacteria and algae. Balanced pool water is clean, safe, healthy and comfortable to swim in. It also helps prevent damage to your pool’s structure and equipment.

Too much chlorine will cause skin and eye irritation, and potential illness, while too little will not be effective at killing bacteria, algae and other contaminants.

If pH levels are too high, the water will become cloudy and create scale deposits on your pool walls and equipment. If the pH levels are too low, the pool surfaces and equipment will become etched and corroded.

Simply put, unbalanced water can lead to plenty of unwanted issues with your pool.

Keep your filter at its best performance:

The pool filter is the “heart” of your pool. It works to filter out all of the contaminants in the pool water and return it to the pool cleaner than before. There are three types of pool filters, Sand Filter, Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and Cartridge Filters. Filters need to be cleaned and backwashed routinely and not just when poor circulation occurs. It is recommended to change the sand in commercial pools every one to two years. Once the filter has reached its maximum particle retention capacity, it is necessary to apply a backwash, reversing the valve position.

Pool preparation takes time. Whether you use liquid chlorine or other products, pool users need to wait until the chlorine settles to a stable and safe level before entering the pool. This process can require up to 48 hours, depending on your pool’s unique variables.

Know the rules:

Don’t forget to stay updated with all of the new rules governing swimming pools and spas in Texas. Rules governing Texas swimming pools and spas, including those at apartments, have been extensively revised, with the new rules in effect as of January 1, 2021.

Many of the revisions cover engineering and construction requirements for new pools, spas and bathhouses, and do not apply to existing facilities, but new operator requirements will apply to all such facilities, and new signage requirements will be in effect whenever signs are replaced.

TAA was actively involved in the rule process and submitted extensive comments last year – many of which were incorporated into the final version of the rules.

A copy of the new rules can be found at Public Swimming Pools and Spas – Home (texas.gov). You can find a copy of the new rules at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/publicswimming-pools-spas.

Xochitl Flores is Business Development/Estimator for Church Pool Services. She has been in the industry for 13 years, working onsite for seven years and the rest on the supplier side. She is very passionate in serving others and being the best advisor to her client partners. She is a proud HAA Ambassador co-captain and part of the NEXT and 2023 Expo Committee.

Church Pool Services is a Church Family Company that focuses on competitive pricing, extraordinary service and being customer-centered in everything we do. Because Church Pool Services is locally owned and managed, we understand Houston’s fickle weather and climate and are ready to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws our way. We will work out the best maintenance schedule for your pool and are ready to help with any service or remodeling project your pool might need. Call Church at 713-545-0345 or visit www.churchco-tx.com.