Pub. 5 2020 Issue 3

17 ISSUE 3 2020 deteriorate the plugs very quickly. Also, DO NOT DRAIN YOUR pool!!! This can ruin some plasters, cause the pool to shift, or even have hydrostatic pressure lift the pool out of the ground. Pools should never be drained without contacting a licensed pool professional first. Water Balance Without proper chemical balance the water will either become acidic, corrosive, basic, or aggressive. The pH will not be regulated. This can rapidly deteriorate the pool, anything from damaged and stained plaster to scale for- mation and paint failure. The calcium hardness levels will also not be able to be main- tained. Water will seek its own calcium and can pull it from the structure of the pool. Water can pull calcium from your plaster, concrete, grout, etc. causing deterioration of these components. The chlorine should also be maintained to keep the water clear and in balance. Algae We have had a mild winter, so we are already looking at having a larger than usual algae issue this year. If these pools are left untreated, the algae will continue to bloom; even though the pool is covered, there are many types of algae that have adapted to live in dark conditions. Algae, like many plants, do not die; they go dormant waiting for ideal conditions to thrive. As the temperature of the water rises, algae also thrives; this can lead to staining that may be very difficult if not nearly impossible to get rid, of depending on the type of algae. Bugs and Bacteria We all know that standing water is a breeding ground for many insects, especially mosquitoes. We all know about the annoy- ance mosquitoes bring, as well as a long list of their own diseas- es. The other issue is bacteria in the pools. Bacteria in pools can form what is called biofilm. This is formed when bacteria em- bed and colonize in a layer of slime called biofilm. This slime protects the bacteria from sanitizers such as chlorine, making it very difficult to eliminate. It is estimated that 65% of human bacterial infections in aquatic environments involve biofilms. What we are recommending is going to save these pools from costly repairs and algae mitigation down the road. Let’s not forget to protect our community’s investments, and remain problem free for years to come. We are all in this together, let’s work together and stay safe. Keith Anderson, CPO, CSP, CBP, SPB, SP-1 Service Manager, Savol Pools APSP Certified Service Professional APSP Certified Building Pro- fessional National Plaster Council Startup Certified CAI Educated Business Partner NAUI Certified Diver SP-1 Lic. #288171 YOUR COMMUNITY HERE!