Answer: Yes, weekly service is mandatory if you want a pool that's crystal blue and always pH balanced for health and safety. Your pool can become unbalanced and unfit to enjoy quickly. So, consistent maintenance is the only way to keep it sparkling clean and ready for use.

Answer: If you're a homeowner who really likes maintaining everything around the house, DIY may work for you. For instance, consider Backyard Pool & Spa's Pool Consulting Services — we'll teach you everything you need to know about maintaining your pool, step-by-step. However, if you're hoping to save money on pool service, DIY may not be the most economical choice.

Answer: Definitely not. We all know the old adage "you get what you pay for," or in other words, "cheaper isn't always better." For example, someone trying to break into the industry might offer a cheaper price simply because they lack experience. As a result, their inexperience with proper pool maintenance can end up costing you dearly.

Answer: To properly maintain your pool and keep it safe and healthy, you'll need to follow a strict weekly maintenance schedule. This includes balancing all the pool's chemical levels (chlorine, alkalinity, free chlorine, pH, and TDS), brushing the walls and steps, vacuuming, emptying canisters, and more. So, if this sounds "easy" and enjoyable, maintaining your own pool may be for you

Answer: In a nutshell… peace of mind and saving money are two very good reasons.

Don’t waste your valuable time searching for chemicals and educating yourself in order to properly maintain your pool. Your pool is for enjoyment so enjoy it, don’t worry about it.

Sooner or later most homeowners run into trouble and they end up calling a pool service company anyway. Unfortunately, the problem has become severe enough that it often takes a moderate amount of attention to remedy. Unexpected costs like this could be avoided by having a professional pool service company like Backyard pool & Spa to maintain your pool.

Answer: Pool safety is crucial. Here are a few guidelines to help prevent any unfortunate injuries in or around your pool:

1. Whether your child knows how to swim or not, never leave them unattended while swimming.

2. Insure your pool is surrounded by a fence with vertical bars no more than 4 inches apart with self-locking, self-closing gates.

3. Water in your pool or spa lighting is a dangerous hazard…call a professional immediately.

4. Learn CPR and insist that anyone who watches your child knows CPR as well.

5. Make sure you always have life saving equipment like poles or flotation devices by your pool at all times.

6. Ensure that insulators are properly installed in timer boxes.

Answer: Yes. The purpose of your pool pump is to circulate your water and prevent it from sitting stagnant. Your pump should turn the water in your pool over at least once per day.

Answer: A pool cleaner may not work right because there is a problem in the system such as, no suction, valve not set right, impeller clogged or improper flow but these reasons aren’t the norm.

Typically you simply have a bunch of leaves or a rock lodged in the cleaner that’s preventing it from moving. The first thing you should do is shut off the equipment, remove your cleaner from the pool, check the bottom for obstructions and remove it. With the obstruction removed, submerse the cleaner into your pool, turn on your pump (let it prime up) then check your cleaner again. Most likely it will be working. If not, it may be a problem mentioned above or it may need new parts. If you can’t figure it out, just call Backyard Pool & Spa, we’ll get things running right for you.

Answer: Constant evaporation leaves minerals behind in your pool. As the minerals build up so does the level of dissolved solids and the waters hardness. When this happens, it becomes difficult to maintain a proper balance of chemicals and it’s harder to prevent stains. Luckily, this only needs to be done about once every five years. If you feel it’s time for your pool to be drained and refilled with fresh water and proper start up chemicals Backyard Pool & Spa can help.

Answer: This is a pretty broad question as the answer could be any number or combination of things. Here are some of the most common causes of weak suction. Your pool cleaner may be clogged with a rock, dirt or leaves. You might be missing the lid o ring OR it may be missing. The pump suction side and plumbing could have a suction leak. The pumps impeller may be obstructed or it may have a bad weir ring or diffuser. Your cleaner hoses might be cracked and sucking in air. The motor bearings may be going bad causing drag on the motor. There may be a high side restriction. If the problem is in the high side, the pressure gauge will read above normal. Another indication of blockage on the high side would be a stuck pop-up gear set assembly causing the gauge pressure to read high in-floor system. You may have an obstructed filter or faulty backwash valve preventing water from going through. The return lines might be accidentally closed off.

Answer: Another broad question with a number of possibilities. Here are some of the most common culprits.

• The pump basket may not be full of water.
• The bearings may be wearing out.
• There may be air trapped in the filter.
• The impeller may be jammed with rocks and dirt.
• The pop up assembly gear may not be rotating. If you notice this you should fixed it immediately. If left alone, pressure will continue to build until you develop leaks in-floor system.
• You may have a suction leak.
• Sometimes the suction on the pump is weak or the suction side is bearing too much load by the cleaner.

If you’re unable to diagnose or remedy your noise problem just call Backyard Pool & Spa. We’ll bring over 15 years experience in the pool industry and diagnose the reason for your noisy system in no time.

Answer: If it’s not a self-cleaning unit then once a week. If it is a self-cleaning unit every two to three weeks will be sufficient. Primarily, when you see white build up it will require someone's attention. If you use Backyard Pool & Spa’s weekly pool service we’ll clean them as often as we advised above. If you’re cleaning the cells yourself, mix 10% muriatic acid with water (make sure there is enough water to submerge the cells) and soak the cells until clean (15-20 minutes).