For many Charlotte homeowners, Labor Day marks the official end of summer. School has started. The weekends are filled with sports and activities. The pool might get a little less love than it did in June or July.
However, with swimming season comes the need for proper maintenance.
The transition from summer to fall can be a great opportunity when it comes to your pool. Leaves are falling. Pumpkin spice is flowing. Temperatures are dropping. The pool isn’t being used as much. And, let’s face it, it’s seen a lot of use over the past couple of months.
Taking care of your pool now will ensure that it looks great through the fall and doesn’t develop any issues as the weather cools down.
Less Swimming Doesn’t Mean Less Pool Care
When your pool is being used every day, it’s easy to pay attention to it.
You notice when it starts to look cloudy. You see leaves floating around. You hear the filtration system run and immediately notice if something isn’t right.
When the pool isn’t being used every day, it’s easier to miss the little telltale signs.
Your pool doesn’t know it’s not being used. The filtration system still runs. Skimmers still collect debris. The chemistry is still shifting. Leaves (so many leaves!), pollen, and other organic material are still entering the pool.
Skipping out on pool maintenance in the fall because you’re not using it as much can allow small issues to creep in.
Fall Leaves Mean More Work Than You Might Expect
In addition to football, one of the things that make fall in Charlotte great is the changing leaves.
However, they don’t look as great when they’re floating in your swimming pool.
Leaves, pine needles, acorns, small branches, and other debris can easily accumulate on top of swimming pool water. And, if they aren’t removed, they’ll start to break down.
Not only does this look bad, but it can also shift the chemistry of your pool and create more strain on your filtration and sanitation systems.
Skimmer baskets can fill up a lot quicker than you might expect when you’re dealing with a lot of leaf drop. And, when skimmer baskets are packed full of debris, it can restrict water flow to your pool equipment, causing it to work harder.
Skimming, brushing, vacuuming, and cleaning skimmer and filter baskets become more important as the trees in your backyard start to change.
Your Pool Chemistry Shifts With the Seasons
The chemistry of your pool isn’t something you can set and forget.
Your pool chemistry is impacted by water temperature, rainfall, sunlight, and even how much it’s being used. And, as the seasons shift from summer to fall, the chemistry of your pool may shift as well.
Trying to stick to the same maintenance routine that you followed through the hottest months isn’t always the best idea.
Chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and additional water chemistry tests and adjustments still need to be made regularly. And, maintaining proper pool chemistry not only ensures that swimmers remain healthy, but it also helps protect your pool surfaces and equipment.
Clear pool water can still have pool chemistry that needs attention, so regular testing and adjustment is always important, regardless of how much the pool is being used.
Summer Can Be Tough on Your Pool Equipment
Fall is also a good time to take a closer look at the equipment that got you through another Charlotte summer.
Your pump and filtration systems have been dealing with heat, storms, heavy rainfall, and lots of pool use for months. And, for that reason, the end of summer can be a natural time to start noticing early warning signs of equipment issues.
Pay attention to any odd noises your pump might be making. Be mindful of any changes to water flow. Notice any leaks around your pool equipment and plumbing. Keep your eye on filter pressure and make sure skimmer, filter, and pump baskets are emptied out regularly.
If you have a pool heater and are beginning to rely on it again in the fall, now is also the time to start noticing if your heater needs attention on your first cool swimming weekend of the season.
Noticing a small issue with your pool equipment early is always a lot better than discovering it when a part has completely stopped working — and if something does need fixing, Bluebird can help with repairs and replacements.
Don’t Let Your Filter Become an Afterthought
Your pool filtration system becomes more important as more leaves and debris begin to find their way into your swimming pool.
Your filter is there to remove particles that would otherwise remain suspended in your pool water. And, as more particles are collected by your filter, it’s important to take proper care of it to ensure that it continues to do its job effectively.
Fall is a good time to make sure your filter is in good working order. If you need assistance, Bluebird Pool Co. offers professional filter clean services to keep your system running effectively.
Leaf traps, skimmer baskets, and pump baskets should also be kept clean. These are relatively simple maintenance tasks, but they help to ensure proper water flow through your pool system.
Good circulation and filtration make nearly everything else in pool care a lot easier.
Cooler Weather Can Extend Your Swimming Season
One of the great things about owning a pool in Charlotte is that summer weather doesn’t necessarily have to end on Labor Day.
The weather in early fall can be some of the best of the year. The heat starts to let up. It’s still warm in the afternoon. Football is on the outdoor TV. And, with the help of your pool heater, you can still enjoy swimming well into the “off” season.
If you’re planning on still using your pool into fall, keeping your pool clean and balanced throughout the transition becomes even more important.
Instead of trying to bring your pool back to life for one beautiful October weekend, maintaining your pool year-round means it’s simply ready to go when you are.
Don’t Forget to Take a Look Around Your Pool
Fall pool maintenance isn’t only about what’s going on in the water.
Take a few minutes to take a look around your entire pool area. Make sure debris isn’t building up around your pool drains and equipment. Take a look at your pool deck, coping, and surrounding landscaping. Trim plants that are dropping a lot of debris into your pool and make sure leaves aren’t building up around your pool equipment.
This is also a good opportunity to take a look at anything that may have changed since the busy summer months.
Small things are a lot easier to notice when you consciously go for a walk around your pool and pool equipment pad rather than simply looking at it from your back door.
The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make in the Fall Is Simply Forgetting About Their Pool
After everything that needs to get done during the summer to take care of your swimming pool, it’s understandable if homeowners would like one less thing to worry about once fall arrives.
However, pools really don’t have an off-season.
Even if you’re not swimming as often, your pool is still a large body of treated water that it’s connected to pumps, filters, plumbing, and other equipment that all need care.
Waiting until spring to start thinking about your pool again means you could be opening the season with algae, staining, debris, or equipment issues that have been building up for months.
Maintaining your pool consistently is a lot easier than trying to recover from months of neglect.
Keep Your Charlotte Pool Ready All Year Long
Fall should mean enjoying football weekends and celebrating the occasional Panthers win. It should mean cooler weather. It shouldn’t mean having your pool become another thing that you’ll need to tackle in the spring.
Maintaining your pool through regular cleaning, proper chemical balance, good circulation, and routine equipment checks will help to ensure that your pool remains in great shape as you transition from summer to fall in Charlotte.
Bluebird Pool Co. offers premium pool care services throughout Charlotte, including weekly pool cleaning, chemical balance, and equipment inspection.
When you look outside, your pool should be ready to use, whether it’s the middle of July or a beautiful afternoon in October.
Ready to take pool maintenance off your fall to-do list? Contact Bluebird Pool Co. to get started.