Keeping Your Pool Out of Trouble

Austin's combination of intense UV heat (which burns off chlorine rapidly), high phosphate levels from cedar and oak pollen, and hard alkaline water creates perfect conditions for algae blooms. A pool that looks fine on Monday can have visible algae by Friday if the chemistry is off. This is why weekly professional service is critical in Central Texas — we catch chemical imbalances before they become green-pool emergencies.

Cedar fever season runs December through March in Austin. The yellow pollen that blankets everything — your car, patio, pool — is loaded with organic phosphates. When it lands in your water and breaks down, it feeds algae directly. During cedar season, we increase skimmer basket checks, run extra filtration cycles, and monitor phosphate levels closely. Many Austin pool owners see their worst water quality during January-February, not summer.

Austin sits on a limestone aquifer, which means our tap water is naturally high in calcium (often 200-400+ ppm) and alkalinity. This hard water causes white calcium scale buildup on tile, equipment, and waterline surfaces. It also means pH constantly drifts upward, requiring regular acid additions. Salt cell owners in Steiner Ranch and Lakeway are especially affected — the calcium coats salt cells and reduces their efficiency. We monitor calcium hardness and scale buildup as part of every weekly visit.

In peak Austin summer heat (June-September), a typical residential pool loses 1-2 inches per week — that's 400-800 gallons. During extreme heat with wind, it can reach 3 inches. This is normal and not a leak. However, if you're losing more than 2 inches per week consistently, you may have a leak and should have it professionally checked. A pool cover can reduce evaporation by 50-70%.

Pools are generally exempt from most Austin landscape watering restrictions, even during Stage 2 restrictions. You can top off your pool to maintain proper water levels. However, you cannot drain and refill without permission during higher restriction stages. We recommend a pool cover to minimize water loss and keeping your autofill system properly calibrated so it doesn't mask a potential leak.

Every weekly visit includes: surface skimming and debris removal, brushing walls and steps, vacuuming the pool floor, emptying skimmer and pump baskets, testing and balancing water chemistry (chlorine, pH, alkalinity, CYA), inspecting pump, filter, and all equipment, checking water level, and a visual inspection of the pool surface and tile. All chemicals are included in our flat monthly rate — you never pay extra for chlorine, acid, or other treatments.

No. The Pool Police has never required contracts in 25+ years of business. We earn your business every single week with consistent, professional service. You can cancel anytime with no fees or penalties. We believe if we're doing our job right, you won't want to cancel.

We serve Steiner Ranch, Lakeway, Cedar Park, West Austin, Bee Cave, Lost Creek, River Place, Four Points, and The Hills. Our service area is focused on the west side of Austin and surrounding communities. This focused coverage means we know the local water conditions, common equipment in your neighborhood, and can respond quickly when you need us.

In Austin's climate: 8-10 hours per day minimum in spring and fall, and 10-12 hours per day in summer (June-September). The goal is at least one full water turnover per day — most residential pools need 8-10 hours to achieve this. Running your pump too little is the number one cause of algae in Texas pools. Variable speed pumps can run longer at lower speeds, saving 60-80% on electricity while providing better circulation.

For Austin pools: Free Chlorine 2-4 ppm (higher in summer), pH 7.4-7.6 (Austin water drifts high — you'll use muriatic acid regularly), Total Alkalinity 80-120 ppm, Cyanuric Acid (CYA/stabilizer) 30-50 ppm (essential in Texas sun to protect chlorine), and Calcium Hardness 200-400 ppm (our tap water is naturally high). These ranges are critical — even small deviations in Austin's heat can lead to rapid algae growth or equipment damage.

Salt pools still use chlorine — a salt chlorine generator converts dissolved salt into chlorine through electrolysis. The water feels softer and doesn't have that strong "pool smell." However, in Austin, salt pools require extra attention: our hard water causes calcium scale on salt cells (requiring cleaning every 3-6 months), the generation process naturally raises pH (needing more frequent acid additions), and salt can damage unsealed limestone and travertine decking common in Steiner Ranch and Lakeway homes. We service both types.

The bucket test: place a bucket of pool water on the steps, mark water levels inside and outside the bucket, wait 24 hours with the pump running, then compare. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, you likely have a leak. Common leak locations include the light niche, skimmer-to-pool connection, return fittings, and underground plumbing. The Pool Police offers professional leak detection service to pinpoint the exact location without unnecessary digging.

Typical equipment lifespan in Austin: Pool pump 8-12 years (variable speed pumps last longer), filter cartridge 1-3 years, sand filter media 5-7 years, DE filter grids 5-8 years, gas heater 5-10 years, heat pump 10-15 years, salt chlorine cell 3-5 years, automation system 10-15 years. Texas heat and our hard water can shorten these lifespans. Regular maintenance extends equipment life significantly — a well-maintained pump can last 12+ years.

Yes, if your current pump needs replacement. Variable speed pumps use 60-80% less electricity than single-speed pumps — in Austin, that's $50-100+ per month in savings. They also run quieter (important for Steiner Ranch and Lakeway homes where equipment is close to outdoor living areas), provide better filtration at lower speeds, and are now required by Department of Energy regulations for new installations. Most Austin pool owners see a full payback within 1-2 years.

Filter pressure 8-10 PSI above your clean starting pressure means it's time to clean or backwash your filter. Note your filter's clean pressure (usually 10-15 PSI) and monitor it weekly. High pressure means the filter is clogged with debris and can't flow water properly, which makes your pump work harder, wastes energy, and reduces circulation — leading to algae in Austin's heat. Never ignore rising pressure.

First, locate your equipment pad and take photos of all equipment model numbers. Make sure the pump is running at least 8 hours per day. Test the water or bring a sample to a pool store. Most importantly, get a professional pool inspection before you invest in maintenance — the previous owner's care history is unknown, and we regularly find equipment running on wrong schedules, chemistry that's been "close enough" for years causing surface damage, and filters that haven't been cleaned in months. The Pool Police offers free inspections for new homeowners.

Start in April-May: increase pump run time to 10-12 hours, ensure CYA (stabilizer) is at 30-50 ppm to protect chlorine from UV, clean or replace your filter so it's ready for heavy use, check your heater and automation before you need them, and consider adding a liquid solar cover to reduce evaporation. Test chemistry twice per week during peak summer. The biggest summer mistakes we see are running the pump too few hours and letting chlorine drop during heat waves.