How to Prepare Your Gilbert, Arizona Pool for Winter
Written by webtechs

How to Prepare Your Gilbert, Arizona Pool for Winter

In Gilbert, Arizona, where the weather is usually sunny, winter may not bring snowdrifts or ice storms, but it does bring chilly evenings, windy afternoons, and months when your pool won’t get much use. In warmer regions, closing your pool for the winter is not enough; you need to maintain your investment and make sure that first spring swim is clear, not hazy and green. This is a helpful method to getting your Gilbert pool ready for winter without too much trouble.

1. Good Cleaning!

Before you even think about changing the chemicals or water levels, you should clean your pool well. Sweep the floor, vacuum it, and brush the walls. Pay close attention to corners and steps, where dirt and debris tend to build up. This is the moment to get rid of any calcium or algae patches that won’t go away. It’s much easier to keep a pool clean in the winter if it’s already clean.

2. Even Out The Water

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean water chemistry stops. Before the weather becomes cold, test and balance the water in your pool. You’ll need:

pH: 7.4–7.6

Alkalinity: 80–120 parts per million

200–400 ppm of calcium hardness

Chlorine: 1 to 3 parts per million

During the cooler months, the right mix can help keep stains, rust, and scale from building up. Your local pool service in Gilbert can test and adjust the chemical levels for you if you’re not sure what they are.

3. Change The Water Level

You don’t have to drain your pool below the skimmer line for winter like you do in colder states. It’s really best to keep it full so that the plaster doesn’t get too much sun and crack. Just be sure that your drainage and overflow systems are working well enough to manage the winter rains.

4. Equipment Check-Up

You can use your pump less often when the weather is cooler since there is less evaporation and algae formation. In the winter, four to six hours is usually plenty instead of eight hours a day. If you have a heater, clear out the skimmer and pump baskets, backwash the filter, and check the heater before you change the settings. It’s also a good opportunity to have professionals check your equipment in the winter. Finding little leaks or damaged seals now can save you a lot of money later.

5. Hide It

A sturdy pool cover keeps away dust, leaves, and the odd animal that wanders in. Gilbert’s winter weather is so windy that even small amounts of material can leave stains or block your filtration system. Pick a cover that fits properly and lets air through to stop algae from growing and make it easy to open in the spring.

6. Watch It

Your pool still needs some care, even while it’s in “winter mode.” Check the water every week, clean up any trash, and make sure the pump and timer are working right. If there is a frost warning, it is also a good idea to operate your system on the coldest nights. Moving water is less likely to freeze and hurt pipes.

Last Splash

Getting your Gilbert pool ready for winter is more about wise care than hibernation. You can spare yourself weeks of cleanup when the desert sun comes back by spending a few hours now. If you’d rather relax than balance chemicals, just call the specialists at Gilbert Pool Service. They’ll keep your pool clean all year long.

Pool Maintenance In Gilbert, AZ

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs!

More Articles About Pool Care

How to Prepare Your Gilbert, Arizona Pool for Winter
Written by webtechs

Maintaining A Swimming Pool in Arizona Summers

Maintaining a swimming pool during the scorching Arizona summer requires consistent care and specific strategies to deal with high temperatures, intense UV rays, and dust. Here’s a practical guide to keep your pool sparkling, safe, and enjoyable all season long.

🌞 Challenges Unique to Arizona Summers

  • Extreme heat (100°F+ daily)

  • Evaporation causing water loss

  • High UV exposure degrading chlorine faster

  • Monsoon dust storms introducing debris and contaminants

  • Hard water leading to scale buildup

Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist

🧪 1. Test and Balance Water Chemistry (2–3x/week)

  • Chlorine: 2–4 ppm (use stabilized chlorine)

  • pH: 7.4–7.6

  • Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm

  • Calcium hardness: 200–400 ppm (Arizona water is hard!)

  • Cyanuric acid (stabilizer): 30–50 ppm

  • Use a test kit or test strips, and adjust as needed with pool chemicals.

💦 2. Manage Water Levels

  • Check 1–2 times per week.

  • Water evaporates rapidly in Arizona; maintain mid-skimmer level.

  • Use auto-fill systems if possible, or top off manually.

🧹 3. Skim, Brush, and Vacuum

  • Skim surface daily to remove leaves, bugs, and dust.

  • Brush walls and steps weekly to prevent algae.

  • Vacuum or use a pool robot at least once a week.

🧼 4. Clean Pool Filter

  • Cartridge filters: Clean every 2–4 weeks.

  • Sand filters: Backwash every 2–3 weeks.

  • DE filters: Backwash and recharge DE powder monthly.

  • Dust storms clog filters quickly—inspect after every storm.

🔄 5. Run the Pump Long Enough

  • In summer, run pump 8–12 hours/day to ensure proper circulation and chlorination.

  • Best time: Early morning or at night to reduce evaporation and power costs.

⚠️ 6. Shock Pool After Heavy Use or Storms

  • Shock weekly during summer or after:

    • A pool party

    • A storm

    • Signs of algae/cloudy water

🧊 7. Consider a UV or Ozone System

  • Arizona sun depletes chlorine fast. A UV sanitizer or ozone system helps reduce chlorine demand and boost sanitation.

💡 Extra Arizona Pool Care Tips

Issue Solution
Algae growth Maintain chlorine, brush often, keep pool covered when not in use
Scaling Use a sequestering agent to reduce calcium scaling
Debris from monsoons Use a leaf net, keep skimmer baskets clean, consider installing a pool cover
Sun damage Add a pool cover or use chlorine stabilizer (CYA) to protect chlorine from UV breakdown

🛠️ Seasonal Prep (Before/After Summer)

  • Inspect pool equipment (pump, filter, valves, skimmers)

  • Check for cracks or leaks

  • Schedule a professional water test and system tune-up

Is Arizona Summer Time A Good Time For A Swimming Pool Upgrade?

Arizona summer can be a good time to upgrade a swimming pool, but with a few key considerations.

Why Summer Can Be a Good Time for Pool Upgrades

☀️ 1. Peak Use = Faster ROI

  • If you’re planning to upgrade lighting, automation, decking, or features, you’ll get immediate enjoyment during pool season.

  • Great for resale if you’re listing in late summer or fall.

🏗️ 2. Contractor Availability for Small Upgrades

  • While full builds may be booked, minor upgrades (tile, equipment replacement, automation, resurfacing) are often more feasible and faster to schedule.

💧 3. Real-Time Testing

  • You can test out new systems (filters, heaters, lighting, smart controls) under real conditions, ensuring performance before the off-season.

⚠️ Challenges of Summer Pool Upgrades in Arizona

🔥 1. Extreme Heat

  • Contractors may limit work hours or take longer due to high temps (100°F+).

  • Concrete, plaster, and decking upgrades must be carefully timed to avoid cracking or rapid curing issues.

🌀 2. Monsoon Season (July–September)

  • Sudden dust storms and rain can delay work or contaminate freshly poured surfaces or open plumbing.

🧾 3. Higher Demand = Higher Prices

  • It’s peak swimming season, so demand for pool pros can drive up prices.

  • Scheduling may be more competitive, especially for high-end work.

💡 What Kinds of Upgrades Work Well in Summer?

Upgrade Type Suitability for Summer
LED lighting ✅ Quick install, usable right away
Smart pool controls ✅ No disruption, good ROI
New pump/filter ✅ Improves water quality quickly
Tile & coping repair ✅ Small jobs doable in hot weather
Deck resurfacing (e.g., Kool Deck) ⚠️ Time-sensitive but feasible
Full resurfacing (plaster or PebbleTec) ⚠️ Can be done, but timing is key
Structural remodels or re-plumbing ❌ Better suited for off-season (Oct–March)

🧭 Final Advice

If you’re considering an upgrade:

  • Plan work early in the day or off-peak weeks (before monsoon season in July).

  • Use licensed Arizona contractors familiar with working in extreme heat.

  • Get quotes from multiple professionals, and ask about heat-adaptive materials.

Pool Maintenance In Gilbert, AZ

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs!

More Articles About Pool Care

Written by webtechs

How Often Should I Drain My Pool?

How often should i drain my pool?

How often should I drain my pool, is a common question asked by pool owners. Draining your swimming pool and replacing its water is a lengthy and daunting process. It could take hours or possibly days, depending on the size of your pool. And throughout that time, the pool is totally out of service. So, choosing to drain your pool is one that should not be made lightly. Not only is there the inconvenience to think about, but also its expense. When you have a home water meter, you can anticipate a high peak on your next bill when you replace all the water. How often and when do you need to drain your pool? The following are a couple of reasons why.

Water Replacement Schedule

The water in residential and commercial swimming pools usually cycles through a filter, cleaned by hand, and treated then balanced using chemicals. Even when heavily used, it is safe to swim in for months or possibly years at a time without the requirement to be replaced in a lot of cases. Aside from emergencies (more information on emergency draining below), residential pools usually only are required to be drained once every 2 to 3 years. Commercial pools, when correctly maintained and kept in good condition, needs to be drained and have its water replaced yearly. Having pools drained and refilled more frequently than that can be expense, laborious, and annoying.

Emergency Draining

There are deviations to these schedules, nevertheless. When there is a spill of unsafe chemicals into the pool’s water — like bleach or ammonia — that can possibly harm people, it’s wise to drain all of the water then refill the pool instead of waiting for the pool’s filter to cycle the pollutants out. Likewise, when human waste in some way finds its way into the pool, it’s usually best to drain it so the pool can be cleaned and sanitized prior to being used by swimmers again. In conclusion, when maintenance or repairs are required to be carried out on your pool, it usually is necessary for the pool to be drained first so service technicians are able get access to the pool equipment or pool areas they need.

Pool Service in Gilbert, Arizona

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs.

More Articles About Pool Care