Owning a commercial pool comes with the responsibility of regular maintenance.

With so many resort-goers using the pool day in and day out, the water soon becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and other dangers to health and well-being.

Without regular maintenance, it won’t take long for your pool to start looking like a swamp, with green algae-filled water. Not only does this drive away potential guests but will cause lasting damage to the pool that is costly to restore and replace.

That’s why we recommend these five easy tips to not only ensure the comfort and safety of your guests but protect your pools longevity.

The difference between commercial and residential pool maintenance

Before going to the tips, it’s best to discuss about the difference between commercial and residential pool. It may help you get a clear understanding of how you should maintain your commercial pool.

• Commercial pools, unlike regular pools, are more frequently used and by a large number of people. Usually, these pools are open over longer periods, compared to residential pools. With their high and continuous traffic, these pools degrade faster and come with the increased risk of contamination.
• Commercial pools generally have water heating system, so they’re usable year-round. Usually, this heating system attracts germs, bacteria, and algae. We’re already heading to a future where proper usage of clean water is crucial, so wasting this huge amount of water frequently will not be a ethical thing to do.

Now that you know the difference, let’s move on to the tips.

1. Check the pH level in the pool water

The first step to maintain your pool is to check the water quality at least once or twice a week. Regular checks are a mandatory requirement for all public swimming areas, as mentioned in the Swimming Pools Regulations. How frequently you make these checks will depend on your pools operation schedule.

Testing the pH level will indicate how basic or acidic your pool water is. The scale goes from 0 to 14 with a pH higher than 7 being basic and pH lower than 7 being acidic. As chlorine is used to disinfect the waters, the pH level must be within the optimal or neutral level which is anywhere between 7.2 – 7.6.

When the water of a pool has a high pH figure, this will result in skin irritation, cloudiness and a poor disinfectant. Whereas lower pH can cause damage to the pool liner and mechanical components, as well as irritation to the eyes.

There are several external factors through which your resort pool’s pH can be altered, such as pool temperatures, size, the number of swimmers and even heavy rain. That’s why it’s important to check and maintain pH levels regularly.

2. Maintain the pool filtration system regularly

Your commercial swimming pool’s filtration system is the heart of the operation.

Your filter will work not only to keep water circulation flowing but also removes any debris from the water. A well-maintained filtration system will not only keep your pool water sparkling but hygienic and ready for frequent use. Choosing the right filter for your pool will heavily depend on the usage, as well as your existing setup.

There are three types of pool filtration systems available, and they are sand filters, cartridge filters, and Diatomaceous Earth filters (DE). For sand filters, the system uses a bed of sand to trap all dirt and debris while the water flows down freely. They are a popular alternative to cartridge tilters as they produce better water quality. A DE filter uses diatomaceous earth which is much finer than sand, resulting in better filtration. However, certain parts of the DE filter are costly to replace.

3. Balance the calcium and the alkaline chemicals in your pool

We mentioned that the pH levels need to be balanced, but that’s not all. It’s also a requirement to monitor the alkalinity and the mineral calcium (calcium hardness) in your pool.

Alkalinity can raise the pH if not adjusted correctly and vice versa, resulting in pool surface deterioration.

Low calcium, on the other hand, will also aid in surface deterioration where high calcium levels will leave scum on your surfaces.

Keeping these levels balanced not only helps maintain the pool surface avoiding costly repairs but will keep guests happy as they’re greeted to clear waters and undamaged surfaces on entering your resort.

4. Clean pool tiles and surfaces

Your pool water is only as clean as its surfaces. Moulded, stained, and damaged tiles can be a huge turn off for guests. That’s why you need to repair and clean tiles on a regular basis.

For this purpose we’d recommend using a eco-friendly commercial cleaners to reduce the risk of affecting the pH balance of your pool. First, use a stiff, gentle brush in circular motions to remove any scrum or debris from your waterline tiles. Then use natural cleaning solution to dissolve any remaining grime.

5. If all else fails, shock your pool

Though it might sound strange, heavy use of your pool will result in a murky buildup of bacteria. Sometimes the only way to restore the water to what it once was is a process referred to as shocking. Shocking can be done by adding high levels of chlorine to the pool for a short period of time to kill off all germs.

Since chlorine is degraded by ultra-violet light from the sun, we’d suggest shocking your pool overnight. This is also because the pool will need to refill with the filtered water over time.

The secret of a crystal clear resort waters doesn’t come easily. Commercial pools need to be maintained to attract guests and keep everyone happy and healthy. You’ll need to ensure that the water is balanced, the filter is running and clean and that the surfaces are spotless to keep business running as usual.