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

Pool Timer Replacement

pool timer replacement

Do you sometimes wonder how some pools manage to look clear like glass? Undoubtedly, the credit cannot just go to the typical pool cleaning methods. The pool pump is the main equipment that promotes crystal clear pool water. Therefore, the pool pump makes the pool water suitable for people to swim in. The pool pump expedites the circulation of pool water in and out of the pool’s inlets and outlets. Thus pool water gets continually filtered and purified. Pool pumps are designed to run for a specific amount of time subject of varying factors. So, how much does it cost to install a pool pump timer?

Pool pumps

If not for the pool pump, the pool water would get stagnate and turn into a breeding ground for algae and can lead to mosquitoes. So, usually, your pool is not a pool if it doesn’t have a pool pump. If you are planning to construct a pool, you are going to end up spending around $700 to $1,500 when buying a pool pump. Presently, there is a wide array of pool pumps. All have unique configurations and function differently. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea that you purchase an energy-saving pool pump. Therefore, you are going to be able to decrease your electric bill. So, consider purchasing a solar energy pool pump and dual-speed pump.

Why a pool pump timer?

Furthermore, it is important to know the proper time for running your pool pump. On average, you should run your pool pump for around 6 to 8 hours a day. But this is subject to the capacity of the pool and how often the pool is used. For example, when having a commercial pool, you may have to leave your pump on for up to 12 hours. Utilize this tool for regulating the time the pump stays on. These pool pump timers automatically turn off the pump after the specified time. Don’t forget, when you’re leaving the pump on for longer periods, you are going to incur massive electricity expenses. Therefore, do your best for saving on energy when it comes down to operating your pool pump.

Cost to install a pool pump timer

The installation cost of a pool pump timer differs based on multiple factors. The cost is going to depend on the time and the pool contractor. However, on average, you are going to end up spending around $50. Additionally, note that there is a broad range of pool pump timers. Each differs in their costs. So, the installation cost of this tool is also dictated by the kind of pool pump timer. A lot of pool pump timers are as little as $13. Nevertheless, some cost up to $60.

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