What Happens When You Neglect Your Pool?

Neglecting a pool doesn't just lead to dirty water; it invites a cascade of issues affecting both the pool and its surroundings. For example, unchecked algae growth can clog filters and skimmers, leading to poor water circulation and filtration. This in turn exacerbates the growth of bacteria and algae, creating a vicious cycle. Algae infestations can also stain pool surfaces, requiring costly repairs or resurfacing.

The impact extends beyond the water. Neglected pools can become breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes, which thrive in stagnant water. These pests not only cause discomfort but can also carry diseases, posing health risks to humans and pets. Furthermore, neglected pools can negatively impact property values, as they detract from the overall aesthetic and appeal of the property.

Moreover, the chemical balance of the water is crucial for preventing damage to pool components. Imbalanced water can lead to the deterioration of liners in vinyl pools, damage to the plaster in concrete pools, and corrosion in metal parts of the pool structure and equipment. Over time, these issues can lead to leaks, which might require substantial repairs.

Seasonal maintenance is another important aspect often overlooked. For instance, during winter, pools need to be properly winterized to prevent freezing damage. On the other hand, in summer, pools require more frequent cleaning and chemical adjustments due to increased usage and higher temperatures.

Safety concerns should not be underestimated. A poorly maintained pool can pose serious safety hazards. Slippery surfaces due to algae growth (which turns the water green), unclear water hindering visibility, and malfunctioning safety equipment due to lack of maintenance can lead to accidents and injuries.

The Ick

Maintaining a pool requires regular sanitizing. Most pool owners should have no difficulty handling this issue. Most chlorine pools can be kept clean with about 4 lbs. of chlorine per 10,000 gallons of water every month. It isn't difficult, but it requires lifting, transporting, storing, and buying toxic chemicals. Ask any pool owner how many clothing items they’ve ruined, they’ll likely tell stories.

What if you stopped sanitizing your pool with chlorine or another alternative sanitizer and just let it be filtered? The short story is you'll have gross slime. For pools to be algae-free and free of bacteria and other contaminants, chlorine is a necessity. Without it, in a week or two, your pool will be a green swamp that would make the Everglades look like Lake Erie. There will be a slick, oily film covering the pool walls and surfaces, which is not only disgusting, but can also be an injury hazard.

Does That Mean Add More Chlorine?

For a safe and pretty pool, pH and alkalinity must be properly managed. Every few days, you should balance your pH and alkalinity, but what if you forget?

When pH swings too high or too low without being controlled, it will have different effects. Low pH can cause corrosion on pool equipment and eye and skin irritation, while high pH can cause cloudy water or make chlorine ineffective. In addition to high pH levels, low pH levels can also damage pools. If you don't maintain proper alkalinity levels, which help keep your pH in check, it just gets worse.

Regular Maintenance

Aside from building luxury pools and spas, selling pool equipment and chemicals, Coastal Luxury Outdoors provides free water testing, pool maintenance, and the best, experienced advice to help pool owners maintain their outdoor space at the highest standard. It takes a lot of time and energy to build and maintain a stunning pool, and we're here to help you protect your investment.

What if you were not concerned with maintenance and upkeep tasks as a pool owner? Can you imagine what would happen if you let everything go? How would your pool ecosystem be affected?

To keep the pool up and running, we at Coastal Luxury Outdoors do a lot more than just care for the water. There are many tasks that happen outside of the pool. Filters must be cleaned, filter sand must be replaced, skimmer baskets must be cleaned, pumps must be checked, etc.

Simply put, if you don't take care of this equipment, it will stop. For pool equipment to perform well, it needs to be regularly checked and serviced. No matter how dirty the water is, it should always be cleaned or replaced because your pool equipment will almost always fail when you neglect it.

The Solution

Knowing what happens when you don't maintain your pool, here's where we make things easier for you. Pick up your phone and contact Coastal Luxury Outdoors for all your pool needs. We prevent pool problems before they occur.

Let the experts at Coastal Luxury Outdoors take care of your swimming pool weekly maintenance and green to clean treatments. We have been around for 40+ years and have cleaned thousands of pools across the Jacksonville area. We offer a full spectrum of pool services across the following locations and more: Queens Harbor, Rivertown, Fernandina, Mandarin, Orange Park, Bay Meadows, Nocatee, Coastal Grove, Palencia, Neptune Beach, and Tamaya.