Pittsburgh Swimming Pool Maintenance

When it comes to swimming pool maintenance, Pittsburgh residents have a little more to keep track of than people in other areas of the country. Aside from just keeping the chemicals in the pool balanced and keeping the areas in and around it clean, Iron City pool owners must also deal with the issues posed by large amounts of deciduous trees in the fall and, more importantly, freezing temperatures over the long, cold winter.

Pittsburgh Swimming Pool Maintenance for Spring and Summer
Opening your pool, though it requires some work, is a joy because it signals an end to cold weather and hints of beautiful summer days ahead. Before removing the cover, skim off any noticeable debris (a job that is often easier if you leave any collected water where it is). Once this is done, the cover can then be removed and cleaned. Some covers can simply be washed and stored in a shed or basement, but others should be stored in water.

Next, you should clean the pool and the area surrounding it. Remove all debris from the water and give the water line a quick brush using an approved cleanser. You can then put in any necessary equipment and begin circulation. After the machinery is up and running, you can then check the chemical levels and add whatever is needed. Once the pool has been successfully opened, summer maintenance is basically just keeping the water clean and balanced.

Fall and Winter Swimming Pool Maintenance in Pittsburgh
Unlike a hot tub that can simply be drained, a swimming pool can experience some serious problems when left empty for long periods of time. When the leaves change color and the Steelers take the field, it's time to say goodbye to your pool until spring comes around. If closed correctly, you shouldn't need to do any real maintenance again until the weather again gets warm enough for swimming.

Before freezing temperatures become likely, your pool should be safely closed. This means that the chemicals should be set, the water level should be lowered to below the skim line, a winterizer should be added, and the cover should be in place. In some cases, pillows or tubes should be placed in the water to protect the pool from ice damage. All the mechanical and plumbing components of the pool should also be completely clear of water. This is extremely important, as these are the parts of the pool that are most likely to be hurt by freezing temperatures.

Professional Pool Maintenance
Though opening and closing a pool can be a big job, southeastern PA weather makes it a necessity. Even the day-to-day maintenance required to keep your water clean and comfortable can add up to a fair amount of work each week. Because of this, many find that it is well worth the money to hire professionals to take care of weekly maintenance, or even just to open and close the pool.

Pittsburgh Swimming Pool Maintenance Prices
Hiring someone to open your pool in spring or to close it in the fall generally runs about $250 or $300. To hire a professional for weekly swimming pool maintenance, Pittsburgh residents can pay by the session (which starts at around $80), or they can pay for an entire season. To really get the best service at the lowest price, try and find a place that offers a package that includes opening, closing, and regular maintenance.