Summer is here again and brings with it the sweltering summer sun and that means more water evaporation and possibly tighter Water Restrictions for South Africa.
We all know water is a precious commodity in South Africa. Now more than ever, it is important to make sure you conserve the water in your swimming pool. We’ve put together are some tips to help you do so:
INSTALL A SWIMMING POOL COVER
One of the most effective ways to limit evaporation from your swimming pool is with a pool cover. Not only does a pool cover keep the water in, it also keeps your swimming pool clean. Pool covers provide a host of additional benefits too:
• Helps keep the heat in especially in the evenings
• Keeps your swimming pool clean
• Saves energy on heating water
• Reduces algae growth
• Maintains chemical balance
• May help detect if your pool has a leak
DON’T BACKWASH YOUR SWIMMING POOL OFTEN
Backwashing your swimming pool too often can cause unnecessary water loss. You do not need to backwash your swimming pool often or for too long. When you do backwash, it is a good idea to reuse the water that is coming out of your swimming pool in your garden to prevent water wastage.
MAINTAIN YOUR WATER LEVEL
It is important to monitor your pool water level and if it needs to be topped up, it shouldn’t be overfilled as that only wastes water. If your swimming pool is used frequently, it is a good idea to keep the water level a little lower than usual to prevent a large amount of water from being splashed out of the pool when swimming.
TURN OFF WATER FEATURES
While they’re pretty to look at and sound soothing, they can be a cause of water loss. Once water is aerated, it gets evaporated easier. You should only turn water features on for special occasions in order to conserve water.
TURN YOUR POOL HEATING DOWN
If your swimming pool is heated, it’s a good idea to turn down the temperature by a few degrees especially as the weather warms up. The higher the temperature of your heated pool, the more water evaporation takes place. The good news is that reducing the temperature by a few degrees will also save you money on your heating costs every month too. It’s a win-win!
LOOK FOR LEAKS
We cannot stress this one enough! Pool leaks are the leading cause of water loss in swimming pools and early detection is key. Monitor your swimming pool’s water level continuously and if you suspect your swimming pool is leaking, call in an Xpert to help you locate it. Installing a swimming cover may also assist in detecting a leak, as water levels dropping whilst having a pool cover is a cause for concern. Even the smallest leak can amount to a large amount of water being lost.
RUN THE PUMP LESS OFTEN
This can be a tricky one as it is not always possible to run your pump less often, depending on the activity level of your swimming pool. If you can run the pump less often, it’s a great way of conserving water. The best way to find out if this will work for your swimming pool is by testing it out first. Start running your pump less frequently and see how your pool responds, If the water starts to become cloudy then it’s a clear indication that you’ll need to run it more often so that the water can clear up.
DON’T DRAIN YOUR SWIMMING POOL – EVER!
There is no need to drain your swimming pool unless you must due to a leak or maintenance that needs to be carried out. However, if you maintain your swimming pool correctly all year round, you shouldn’t need to drain the water at all. Taking care of your swimming pool on a regular basis is key to avoid wasting water should you need to drain the pool and then refill it.
Ask an Xpert…
How a pool cover can help save water.
A swimming pool cover is one of the best ways to keep your water from evaporating under the hot South African sun. Not only can a pool cover help with evaporation, but it can also help to keep children and pets safe too. As South Africans, we need to do more to ensure we conserve water, and fitting a solar pool blanket or pool cover is the best way to do so. There are many different pool cover options out there, and they all have a different purpose. We’re here to help guide you on the different types of pool cover options to help save water, take a look at the different options:
SOLAR COVER
These pool covers are bubble blankets that are cut to the shape of your swimming pool. These types of covers are made from a lightweight material and are used to keep water evaporation at a low. The great thing about these solar covers is that they attract and retain heat, which means that you don’t have to run your pool heater as much (or possibly even at all, depending on how much sun and heat your pool gets during the day), saving you on your electricity bill in the long run. Ask an Xpert… How a pool cover can help save water.
AUTOMATIC COVER
These retractable, automated covers are built into your pool, and allow you to open and close your pool with the push of a button. Like other types of pool covers, automatic pool covers keep dirt out of your pool– and they also protect kids and pets from accidentally falling in. They help your pool retain heat, which can help save wear and tear on your pool’s heater and keep your pool water swim-ready for longer. They also help with water evaporation.
