Expert Pool Maintenance Tips for California Pools

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Owning a pool in a desert environment offers a refreshing oasis amid the arid landscape. However, maintaining a pool in desert conditions, such as those found in Los Angeles, CA, comes with its unique challenges. From extreme temperatures to dusty winds, desert pools require specific care to remain clean, safe, and inviting. Here’s a comprehensive guide on pool maintenance for desert pools.

1. Combatting Dust and Debris

  • Frequent Skimming: Desert winds carry a lot of dust, leaves, and debris into the pool. Skim the surface daily to prevent debris from sinking and causing stains or clogging the filtration system.
  • Cover the Pool: Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use, especially during dust storms or high winds. This minimizes debris accumulation and reduces evaporation.

2. Managing Water Levels and Evaporation

  • Regular Monitoring: The high temperatures in desert regions cause significant water evaporation. Check and maintain water levels regularly to ensure proper skimming and filtration.
  • Auto-Fill System: Consider installing an auto-fill system to maintain the correct water level automatically, preventing the pump from running dry and getting damaged.

3. Maintaining Water Chemistry

  • Frequent Testing: Test the pool water at least twice a week to ensure balanced pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. The intense heat can affect chemical levels, leading to algae growth and equipment corrosion.
  • Adjust Chemical Levels: Keep the pH between 7.2 and 7.8, chlorine levels between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm, and alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm. Properly balanced water prevents algae growth, scaling, and equipment damage.

4. Dealing with Algae Growth

  • Algaecide Treatment: Use a weekly algaecide treatment to prevent algae growth, which can thrive in the warm, sunny conditions of the desert.
  • Shock the Pool: Shock the pool regularly, especially after heavy use or a dust storm. Shocking eliminates contaminants and restores water clarity.

5. Filter Maintenance

  • Backwash Frequently: The desert environment means your pool filter will work harder to remove fine dust and debris. Backwash sand and DE filters regularly to maintain efficiency.
  • Clean Cartridge Filters: If you have a cartridge filter, clean it every 2-4 weeks or as needed to ensure optimal performance.

6. Regular Brushing and Vacuuming

  • Brush the Pool: Brush the walls, floors, and steps of your pool weekly to prevent algae buildup and remove fine dust particles that settle on surfaces.
  • Vacuum the Pool: Use a pool vacuum or automatic cleaner to remove dirt and debris from the pool floor. Regular vacuuming keeps the pool clean and prevents the filter from overloading.

7. Temperature Management

  • Use a Pool Cover: A cover not only helps keep debris out but also reduces evaporation and retains heat, keeping the water temperature more stable.
  • Solar Pool Cover: Consider using a solar pool cover to maintain a comfortable water temperature and reduce heating costs.

8. Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

  • Check for Leaks: Inspect your pool equipment regularly for leaks, which can be exacerbated by the dry desert air. Address any issues promptly to prevent water loss and equipment damage.
  • Monitor Pump and Filter: Ensure the pump and filter are running efficiently. Desert dust can clog equipment, so regular maintenance and cleaning are essential.

9. Prevent Calcium Buildup

  • Control Calcium Levels: Desert water often has high calcium content, leading to scaling on the pool surface and equipment. Test for calcium hardness and use a scale inhibitor if necessary.
  • Acid Wash: If calcium buildup becomes significant, consider an acid wash to remove scaling and restore the pool’s appearance.

10. Seasonal Maintenance

  • Prepare for Summer: As temperatures rise, ensure your pool is ready for heavy use. Check and adjust chemical levels, clean the filter, and inspect equipment.
  • Winterizing: Even in desert climates, winter maintenance is important. Lower water levels, clean thoroughly, and cover the pool to protect it from debris and cold snaps.

Conclusion

Maintaining a pool in a desert environment requires diligence and a tailored approach to address the unique challenges posed by high temperatures, dust, and evaporation. By following these expert tips, you can keep your desert pool clean, safe, and inviting throughout the year. With regular maintenance and attention to detail, your pool will remain a refreshing oasis in the heart of the desert.

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Leisure Pool Services
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Based on 60 reviews
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Highly recommend!!
Nena F.
Nena F.
Helpful, knowledgeable pool service.
Mr. B.
Mr. B.
Pool pump was acting up, called these guys and they were quick to respond, showed up same day and I had a new pump the next day and very happy with it and them, very nice people! My new pool guys for sure...
Kandi R.
Kandi R.
Monte and Joshua have been great. I am not at home often and Joshua kept me in the loop when I had irrigation leaks on the property and was a life saver when he spotted a burst pipe leak coming from inside the home. Thanks again guys!!!
Dennis M.
Dennis M.
GREAT company!! Would highly recommend. After years of having a sub par pool service company, I finally made a change to Good Neighbor. They were quick to respond to me and fix all my issues with my pool and get it in tip top shape. They also email you after service with any issues and special directions. Their price is reasonable as well and definitely great for the service you get.
Evolution C.
Evolution C.
Have been using them for a year. They maintain my pool weekly, I get a weekly status email of my pool’s condition, and they have also done a few installs for me. Always prompt and good communication. Appreciate auto billing as well.
Mark L.
Mark L.
On short notice these guys replaced my pump and filter and didnt try to gouge me on pricing. Monte gave me a quote that was 20% better than my current pool company, i accepted, and they performed!
Mike S.
Mike S.
I needed repair work done and contacted Good Neighbor Pool Service. My pool had stopped working for the most part, even though I had new equipment, and my regular pool company said they couldn’t come out for 4-5 days. Good Neighbor Pool Service came out quickly and was so helpful. The technician was very nice and explained everything. He fixed multiple issues that the prior pool company had failed to fix. I would recommend Good Neighbor to my friends and family based on my excellent experience with them.
Lindsay F.
Lindsay F.
This is the personal touch I was looking for!
Avi R.
Avi R.
Have worked them fora year and am very happy with their service.
JCurtis L.
JCurtis L.
Been using Good Neighbor Pool Service for a few years and they are great! Always prompt to respond when I have questions and always show up.
Sarah C.
Sarah C.
Jacob C.
Jacob C.
I really am happy with the pool service provided by GNPS! Their team is well versed in pool maintenance and chemical balancing. I trust Monte to help me care for my older in-ground pool and advise me on actions to take to extend it's life and make it more enjoyable for the family.
Jeanne B.
Jeanne B.
Rick C.
Rick C.
Reliable, professional, responsive, friendly. If there has ever been a technical problem, Rich or Drew addressed it almost immediately. Great service that makes my life a lot easier. I would recommend Good Neighbor to anyone!
Stefanie C.
Stefanie C.
Company was great. Always on time and do the job well!
Jonathan L.
Jonathan L.
Best pool service ever! Everyone has been very helpful, kind. trusting and knowledgeable. My pool is always sparkling. I couldn’t be happier!!
Terise D.
Terise D.
Nancy B.
Nancy B.
Excellent customer service. Extremely diligent. A+++. Highly recommend.
Bret S.
Bret S.
Personalized service with a smile!!!
Barbara B.
Barbara B.
Great family run business. I really appreciate the weekly email updates and ease of contact via text. My husband is deployed and it’s so wonderful to not have to worry about our pool because I know Monte & Silas have it covered.
Taylor W.
Taylor W.
I'd give more stars if I could. Great, family owned business, friendly, and committed to their work. I couldn't recommend these guys more.
Matty E.
Matty E.
I am very satisfied with the team at Good Neighbor Pool Service. They do a fantastic job and I alway know that our pool will be well taken care of!
Kevin C.
Kevin C.
Monte and his team have been nothing but professional since starting to take care of our pool. It’s nice knowing that somebody with a lot of knowledge takes care of it and we don’t have to worry about it. We always appreciate the weekly updates with pictures and chemical levels. Always very communicative and charging a fair price. Can strongly recommend for any pool needs!
Max Z
Max Z
I am highly satisfied with the team at Good Neighbor Pool Service. Communication is awesome, I know exactly what they are going to do and when. They are here when they say they will be and my pool is always sparkling! They are so good, I have stopped worrying about my pool!
Eric H.
Eric H.
Monte and Silas are the best! They have so much expertise in not only pool cleaning, but all the products and service that goes along with owning a pool! We have relied on them many times to help us along the journey of owning a pool! Thankful for them time and time again!
Jody E.
Jody E.
Great service and knowledgeable people, I would recommend them to everyone
Daniel C.
Daniel C.
Monte and Silas are great. Super friendly, reliable and nice to my dog. They are quick to respond to any issues and have kept my pool in great condition over the last 2.5 years!
Madeline B.
Madeline B.
Monte is great, always honest and knowledgeable
Luana H.
Luana H.
Monte is very reliable and that is hard to find these days. I appreciate the great communication as well. Ib highly recommend Good Neighbor Pool Service.
Kali M.
Kali M.
I called Good Neighbor to help troubleshoot a problem with my pool vacuum. Monte came out, made some adjustments, and the vacuum runs fine now. I am so appreciative; thanks again Monte!
Margaret C.
Margaret C.
Edward W.
Edward W.
We highly recommend Good Neighbor Pool Service! Monte has been extremely helpful getting our pool back on track - he has been very communicative, prompt and professional!
DP
DP
We have some Pebble Tec that was irresponsibly laid above water - Arizona heat destroys it. So we asked Good Neighbor to come by and provide an estimate. Monte came by and explained things very well and provided our options. He went on to provide an adjustment of my pool pump settings and advised on my water levels and pool care which was beyond what we had asked him to help with. Monte was kind, knowledgeable and clearly is passionate about his work! Double thumbs up for his service- highly recommend for sure!
Steve S.
Steve S.
Monte is friendly and excellent at what he does. I highly recommend him for pool service. Affordable, dependable and trust worthy.
Debbi M.
Debbi M.
love that i am lucky enough to call a local pool company that is honest,nice, reliable, and cool to help us out quickly.
Brian H.
Brian H.
I recently resurfaced my pool and unfortunately had to leave town right away after filling my pool with water. Unfortunately, didn't have a chance to get the necessary chemicals in the water before I left. So, I searched pool cleaning companies and saw that Good Neighbor Pool Service had 5 stars on their reviews and decided to give them a call. They immediately responded to me and after learning of my situation they sent someone out to my house to assess the situation and give me their recommendations. After a very thorough discussion with Monte I decided to start utilizing their weekly cleaning services which is very reasonably priced. I was also having a problem with my existing pump and with Monte's recommendation I'll be swapping out my old pump with a lot more efficient one that is better suited for my needs. I can't be more happier with my decision to call Good Neighbor Pool Service and I now have the comfort of knowing everything will be fine with my pool whenever I'm away.
Fiddler's R.
Fiddler's R.
If only every service provider could be as knowledgeable, responsive, honest, and down to earth as Monte.I've never owned a pool, nor knew a darn thing about one, so partnering with someone I felt I could trust and that had my best interest in mind was of most importance.Monte will shoot you straight and put his best foot forward as if it were his own pool.Lucky to have partnered with a guy of his character, and happy to be able to now call him a friend.
Steve M.
Steve M.
Monte has consistently maintained our pool and always had honest and affordable solutions for any pool issues we faced. He fully explains what options you have, and will advise you on what he feels is your best option. If there’s an issue that’s more complex he’ll recommend another trusted professional that’ll do the job well and for a great price. I highly recommend Monte for all of your pool needs.
Travis M.
Travis M.
Rachel Linstroth M.
Rachel Linstroth M.
Good Neighbor Pool Service has absolutely great for us. Monte and Team have been super reliable and keep our pool in awesome shape. The thing that sets them apart from other companies is the attention to detail and doing all the little things that make a big difference. One example is how Monte spent extra time getting the return jets working better to help keep our pool cleaner and working better. The company always responds quickly and answers all our questions. Keep up the great work!
Christopher F.
Christopher F.
We use Good Neighbor Pool Services at an AirBNB that we own and are really happy with the service we've received. The prices are fair compared to the competition and the quality of the service given is above and beyond.Most of our communication is with the owner Monte, but everyone we've interacted with has been extremely professional, friendly and knowledgeable.We highly recommend Good Neighbor Pool Service!
Tobias A.
Tobias A.
We have been using Good Neighbor Pool Service for about 9 months now and Monte and his crew have been nothing buy amazing since day 1. We first called Good Neighbor after seeing their signs in the neighborhood before we bought a house with a pool. Monte went out and looked over the pool/equipment (for free) before we purchased the house. He told us about some potential issues which we were able to resolve with the seller prior to moving in.Monte and his crew haven't missed a week since we started their weekly service. His pricing includes all chemicals so there are no extra charges, which is great for budget. He has automatic billing set up via credit card so you don't have to worry.We have had SEVERAL issues with our pool equipment due to a large tree in our backyard that drops leaves like crazy from the slightest breeze. Monte has come out several times to fix a clog, backwash the filter, repair the vacuum and countless other things this tree has messed up. He has tried everything possible to help our pool run smoothly without having to get rid of the tree. I finally made the decision to take the tree down, but Monte has tried 8-10 different solutions prior, on his own time, and always showed up when he said he would swing by.Thank you to Monte and his team. Our pool is always sparkling, clean, and chemically balanced. They really do a great job, you won't be disappointed!
Chris B.
Chris B.
There is something special about a family owned buissness that you don't get from corporate companies. My wife and I have been using good neighbor for 3 years now and continue to be impressed with Monty's attentiveness and knowledge. He has saved out butts several times from costly repairs and always keeps our pool sparkling! We trust in and out of our property and he is great around our pets and kids. We highly recommend GNP!
Daniel S.
Daniel S.
I can not say enough about Monte and "Good Neighbor Pool Service". As soon as I moved in my new home I had Monte start working his magic. The first few visits seemed like he learned exactly what the pool needed and will need. It has stayed beautiful ever since. Also if I ever have any questions or need anything at all, he is right on it. I so appreciate how responsive he is. Thanks Monte, you are a pleasure to deal with and anyone would certainly be fortunate to have you taking care of their pool. Love Ya!!!!
Robert L.
Robert L.
Monte is the best! We have used Good Neighbor Pool Service for several months now and couldn't be happier. Our pool always looks sparkly clean and any time we've had issues with our pump etc, Monte is spot on with fixing the issues asap. We love Good Neighbor Pool Service!!
jen p
jen p
We were referred to Monte about a year and a half ago and have been very happy with his work. He worked extremely hard at getting the cleaning (top suction and bottom crawler) to work properly so our old pool is pristine now.
tom C.
tom C.
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