pool maintenance Archives - Thursday Pools

Fiberglass Pool Maintenance

A pool is not a “set it and forget it” affair, so some basic knowledge of maintenance and cleaning is essential to its long-term enjoyment. And fiberglass pool maintenance isn’t as hard as you may think. In fact, it’s rather easy if you follow the instructions of your dealer and read the manuals that accompany your pool filter equipment, pool chemistry kit and vacuum. In this post, we’ll explore the basics of maintaining a fiberglass pool. Your Fiberglass Pool: Much more than a shell holding water First things first. Give yourself a pat on the back for having made the choice of fiberglass. Not only does it look great, but it’s going to be a little easier to vacuum and maintain a fiberglass pool. It’s not maintenance-free, but it is one of the lower-maintenance pool options. If you’re in a seasonal/temperate location, you might think of pool maintenance in terms of opening, closing, and ongoing maintenance. They’re all equally important to the enjoyment and long-term integrity of your pool. The amount of fiberglass pool maintenance you do may ebb and flow with the seasons and use, but you can make that maintenance schedule predictable by being consistent and detailed in your […]

Ask the General: What’s the Lowdown on Pool Cleaning Systems?

A look at in-floor pool cleaning systems and robotic pool cleaners. Dear General: Is there such a thing as a “self-cleaning pool”? I’ve heard neighbors talking about in-floor pool cleaning systems, and they claim their pools “clean themselves.” Another one of my friends with a gunite pool has a robotic pool cleaner. I’m not sure I understand the difference between the two, or which is the best choice for us. We’re planning to get a fiberglass pool. Can you shed some light on this topic for me? I’m definitely interested in spending as little time cleaning and as much time swimming as I can. Signed- Lazy in Lexington, Kentucky Dear Lazy: This is a great question. First of all, wanting to spend as much time as possible enjoying your inground pool instead of maintaining it isn’t lazy. It’s smart. You’re taking a great first step by choosing a fiberglass pool. They’re by far the lowest maintenance pools around, and there’s no single, best choice for everyone when it comes to choosing a system. So, let’s take a closer look at robotic pool cleaners and in-floor pool cleaning systems, considering the merits and drawbacks of each. What is a robotic pool […]

Ask the General; How Do I Troubleshoot the Pump on my Fiberglass Pool?

Five pool pump troubleshooting tips before you call the pros. Dear General- It’s still pretty warm in Atlanta, and we haven’t yet closed our fiberglass pool. Over the last few days, our pool pump has started making some strange noises. It doesn’t happen all the time, but we’re not sure what we should do about it. Do you have any swimming pool pump troubleshooting tips for us, or is it time to call in the pros? Signed- Addled in Atlanta Dear Addled- While northerners are thinking about winter pool maintenance, we realize that other places across the country are still enjoying swim season. That said, I appreciate your question and do have a few tricks up my sleeve that you can try before you call the pros. Check your water level. Your pool pump may be struggling to get water. Pool pumps can only operate in a “closed” system. This means that they’re only designed to pump water—not air. When your water is low and it cascades into the skimmer, it’s bringing air along with the water into the system, which is not a good thing. If you want to know the physics behind how your pump works, here it […]

Ask the General: What Do I Need to Know About Groundwater in the Spring?

Dear General; Our family got a new inground pool last summer, and our pool installer told us that we need to keep an eye on our groundwater pressure and levels in the springtime. What advice can you give us pool owner newbies about springtime pool maintenance, and what do I need to know about the possibility of groundwater damaging our pool in the spring? Signed; Waiting for Spring in Walnut Ridge Dear Waiting; Your pool installer is correct. There IS quite a lot to think about in the spring, and the risks from excess groundwater pressure should be top-of-mind as we get ready to open our pools for the season. When your pool was installed, your pool builder probably explained all about groundwater pressure and how their installation process was intended to protect your pool from it (along with a host of other forgotten tips). No one really expects pool owners to memorize every detail about their pools. So, I’m glad you asked about groundwater and spring pool maintenance. Here’s what you need to know: Groundwater pressure is no joke. I can’t stress this enough. Spring showers, coupled with thawing snow, saturate the ground around your pool. Your pool […]

Ask the General; Can You Fix This?

Dear General- We’re relatively new inground pool owners. We’ve enjoyed reading your articles about common pool maintenance problems to avoid, new pool owner FAQs, tips and tricks to save money and keep our pool running at its best, like the importance of backwashing and how to care for our pool over the winter. There’s quite a lot to learn! We’ve still managed to make some rookie mistakes though. Your post about overflowing your own pool made us feel much better, so thanks for that! However, we are curious what the Thursday Pools warranty policy is. Also, do you have any other stories to share that will help us feel better about being swimming pool novices? We could use a chuckle today. Signed- Embarrassed in Elmore Dear Embarrassed– Believe me, you have absolutely no reason to feel badly. We all do the best we can, and some lessons are just learned the hard way. However, since you’ve asked for a chuckle today, I’m happy to oblige. I do have a few stories up my sleeve from my years in the fiberglass pool biz. We all have been told at one time or another by friends, teachers, and parents that […]

The Best Robotic Cleaners for Inground Fiberglass Pools

Every pool owner should have a good working knowledge of pool maintenance. To avoid pool maintenance issues, it’s important to stay on top of pool maintenance from the time you open your pool in the spring until you’re preparing to close it for the winter. Robotic pool cleaners can be a great help when it comes to keeping your pool clean on a regular basis. Choosing a robotic pool cleaner can be a bit overwhelming as there are hundreds of automatic pool cleaners on the market, each with different benefits. Above-ground pools need a different type of robotic cleaner than inground pools, and some robotic pool cleaners will have features that you don’t need. So make sure you’re searching for the automatic pool cleaner that’s right for your needs and specific pool type. Let’s take a look at some of the best robotic pool cleaners on the market that offer great value for the price. Hayward TigerShark The Hayward TigerShark can easily scour a 20 x 40 foot pool floor, walls and water line in just three hours. It’s available in three models: the standard TigerShark, the TigerShark Plus Robotic Cleaner with Remote Control and the TigerShark QC with […]

Ask the General: New Pool Owner FAQs

Dear General- I think our family is finally ready to take the plunge and get an inground fiberglass pool. We’re excited! But we have so many questions. When should we buy? How should we finance? What should we be thinking about when we’re choosing the features for our pool? What do we need to learn in terms of pool safety and maintenance? Help us be a new pool owner, dear General! Signed- Excited in East Chicago Dear Excited- Yes, getting a pool IS a very exciting time and yes, there is a lot to think about. I could go on for hours about all the fun you’ll have as a new pool owner. I could also go on about the responsibilities of owning a pool, like assigning pool maintenance chores, pool safety and common pool maintenance mistakes to avoid. But let’s just dip our toes in the water for now… I’ll try to tackle some new pool owner FAQs. You should definitely tune in to my regular posts to learn as much as you can about pool ownership. When is the best time to buy a pool? Well, I was a pool salesman for years, so I’m tempted to […]

When Do I Start Winter Pool Maintenance?

As the air gets crisp, the leaves begin to fall, and stores start stocking Christmas decorations alongside Halloween candy, it’s impossible to ignore the signals that winter is just around the corner. For pool owners, this seasonal shift prompts an important question: when is the right time to start winter pool maintenance? The answer depends largely on your local climate, whether you live in a region with harsh winters, mild winters, or something in between. Let’s dive into some essential considerations for winter pool maintenance for fiberglass pools based on the climate where you live, helping you keep your pool in top shape as winter approaches. Moderate Climates: Year-Round Pool Care Without Closing In moderate climates, such as Sun Belt or coastal regions, pool owners have the luxury of keeping their pools open year-round. However, this doesn’t mean they can take a hands-off approach to winter maintenance. Even though freezing temperatures aren’t a concern, several important factors remain to consider as the weather cools. Commit to Regular Maintenance: Just because you aren’t swimming as often during the winter doesn’t mean you can ignore the pool. You must still monitor and maintain your water balance even when the pool […]

How to Avoid Common Pool Maintenance Mistakes

Whether you’re a new pool owner or have owned one for years, proper pool maintenance ensures your inground pool remains a sparkling oasis, extends its lifespan, and minimizes costly repairs. If you’re a fiberglass pool owner, you probably have heard that fiberglass pools are the lower maintenance option among pool types. However, lower maintenance does not mean no maintenance. The following tips can help you avoid the common mistakes people make when caring for their inground pool. Video 1 Tip 1: Balance your Water with Fiberglass In Mind Failing to monitor water chemistry regularly is one of the most common—and most costly—mistakes pool owners make. The water may look crystal clear, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintained properly. Poor water chemistry and balance can silently cause scaling, chalking, and permanent damage to your fiberglass pool’s surface. With fiberglass, focus on the chemistry that matters most: Maintain pH between 7.2–7.4 Keep calcium hardness below 120 ppm (If above 120 ppm, must use a chelating stain/metal and scale control product.) Chlorine should stay between 1–3 ppm Use a stain and scale control product consistently Rather than relying solely on LSI, which was developed with concrete pools in mind, fiberglass pool care […]

How To Choose the Best Pool Maintenance Professional

The greatest joys of owning a swimming pool include the hours of relaxation and swimming in crystal clear water. Proper water chemistry, regular cleaning and systems maintenance for your inground fiberglass pool is essential to keep your pool systems running smoothly and ensure a lifetime of worry-free pool enjoyment. It’s important to find a good pool maintenance professional near you who you can trust to assist you in keeping your pool in tip-top shape so you can sit back and enjoy your investment. They’ll also be your expert guide when it’s time to close your pool for the season. To ensure you’ve got the best person for the job, here’s a list of things to do as you’re searching for and evaluating pool maintenance pros in your area. Ask for recommendations. Ask your local pool installer and any friends or neighbors who have a swimming pool who they use for their swimming pool maintenance and what their experience has been. If your pool installer also happens to offer maintenance and annual opening and closing service, that’s a great place to start. Since they’re the ones most familiar with your pool, they’re the best qualified to service it. Do your […]

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