Maximizing Pool Longevity in Portland With Routine Maintenance

Whether it’s a hotel, resort, gym, business, or public facility, there’s no doubt that a pool adds luxury, fun, and value to a property. It’s an investment that can last for decades and can even be the primary reason customers visit you. In Portland, pool maintenance is crucial to ensure your patrons have a great experience now and for years to come.

Pools in Portland face wear and tear throughout the year from daily use, humidity levels, and water chemistry. Outdoor pools face the additional effects of weather, such as rainfall, ice, snow, and summer heat. Outdoor facilities must be taken care of year-round to maintain their structures and mechanical systems.

Pools are a great investment, as long as they are cared for properly. So how can you ensure your pool remains in excellent condition for as long as possible?

Consistent routine maintenance is the best way to maximize the longevity of your commercial pool. By sticking to a schedule, you can ensure that all components and structures of your pool remain in working order for years—even decades—to come.

Curious about what’s involved in routine pool maintenance in Portland? Here are all the systems and structures that should be maintained regularly in your commercial pool and what it takes to keep them in working order.

1. Structural Maintenance

Commercial pools are exposed daily to new water, pH-balancing chemicals, fluctuating temperatures, and people enjoying the pool. Over time, this can naturally lead to chips, cracks, erosion, and other damage to the pool’s edifice.

Structural damage can significantly decrease the life span of your pool, especially if it is left unfixed for a long time. A small crack now can lead to a larger, more costly issue later. If water gets into the foundation of your pool, the damage becomes more difficult to fix.

Regular inspections, cleanings, and maintenance can identify damaged areas of the pool before they get to the point of foundation damage. Cracks and chips can be resealed, and damage to the caulking or expansion joints can be repaired. This will prevent any further cracking or water damage.

2. Filtration System Maintenance

Your pool’s filtration system is made up of filters, pumps, and skimmers. It’s responsible for removing debris and contaminants from the water and circulating the water properly. This system is key to keeping your pool clean and appealing to swim in.

Regular maintenance of your filter system involves cleaning and replacing filters. Any debris or clogs should be removed to keep water flowing. A professional will also check all system elements for leaks or damaged components, as well as lubricate pump components to keep everything in smooth working order.

3. Water Chemistry Management

Routine management of your pool’s water chemistry is vital to a long-lasting pool. Weather, temperature changes, and regular use can lead to fluctuating pH, alkaline, and calcium levels. If left untreated, unbalanced water chemistry can lead to bacteria and algae growth, corrosion, and scale buildup—a pool that people will not want to swim in. It’s also a matter of health and safety. Properly balanced water helps keep the water clean, preventing swimmers from contracting water-based illnesses.

Regular testing and adjustments can allow you to easily keep your water in balance. It’s important to partner with a company that will take the time to understand your pool’s needs. A quality professional service won’t simply add chemicals to the water and move on without explaining how to care for and balance the water.

With regularly scheduled service, your water chemistry can stay in balance every day of the year.

4. Heating and Cooling Systems

There’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in the pool—but only if the water is at the right temperature. Commercial pools in Portland usually require heating systems to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.

A pool heat pump typically works independently and only needs to be checked during your regularly scheduled maintenance, or if it is experiencing problems. It can last for 10 years or more if properly installed and cared for. Maintain your heat pump year-round by ensuring it has not become clogged with debris. Keeping your water chemistry balanced is also important here. Low pH levels can cause corrosion or damage to the heating pump, shortening its life span if left untreated.

If your pool has a cover, use it and keep it in good shape. Up to 70 percent of the heat lost from a pool comes from evaporation, so covering it when not in use helps save water and energy. It can also extend the life of your heat pump, which will not have to work as hard to keep your pool at the right temperature. Using a pool cover is the best, most cost-efficient way to keep your pool heated. If you don’t have one, consider getting a pool cover installed by an expert like Strong Refuge Pool.

5. Winterizing Your Pool

If your pool is outdoors, it’s crucial to winterize your pool every year. Pacific Northwest winters are cold and rainy, with occasional ice and snow. Cold weather can damage your pool’s structure and equipment, which are costly to replace. Water expands when it freezes, and any water left in pipes and equipment can cause cracks, leaks, and breakages.

Pools should be covered properly during the winterizing process. Failing to do so can result in debris accumulation, weather damage, and algae growth, all of which can be expensive and time-consuming to clean up in the spring.

Working with an expert to winterize your outdoor pool every year is one of the most important things to add to your routine maintenance checklist. Not only does this increase the life of your pool, but it will also help your pool be easier to open and use in the warmer summer months.

Routine pool maintenance in Portland means establishing good habits year-round. It’s the best thing you can do to maximize the longevity of your commercial pool and keep it in excellent condition for years.

Strong Refuge Pool is the Pacific Northwest’s premier pool service and maintenance company. We offer maintenance, repairs, and many other services, all backed by decades of experience and timely responses. Schedule your routine maintenance by contacting us today.