Owning a pool should be about relaxation, not frustration. At Pinnacle Pool & Spa, we know California pool owners have plenty of questions about keeping their pools clean, safe, and looking their best. From weekly maintenance and water chemistry to leak detection, repairs, and full resurfacing or remodeling, our team has seen it all. This FAQ brings together the most common questions we hear — and the answers you need to enjoy your pool with confidence.
We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Sacramento and the surrounding region to the Bay Area, including Walnut Creek to Orinda, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, and Hwy 50 down to the 680 corridor.
Yes, we are licensed and bonded C-53 Swimming Pool Builders and Contractors as well as D-35/C-61 Specialty Contractors for Pool and Spa maintenance, equipment installation, replacement, and repairs.
We are IPSSA Water Chemistry Certified, NSPS Certified Pool Spa Operators.
You can contact us by email or by phone at (888) 994 -7665 (POOL). We’ll ask a few questions about your pool and schedule a convenient time for service or an on-site inspection.
We aim to respond as quickly as possible with prioritization of hazardous, emergency leaks or critical equipment failures being accommodated on an emergency, on-call basis, existing calendar, and technician availability permitting.
Yes. We provide weekly service plans that are designed to keep your pool sparkling clean and worry-free all year.
Yes, we work on backyard pools, apartment and HOA pools, and commercial facilities.
We accept major credit cards, checks, and electronic payment options.
You might find that financing the cost of your pool renovation makes the most sense. Many homeowners use a home equity loan or HELOC, which often provide lower rates but use your home as collateral. Others roll the cost into a cash-out refinance, take out an unsecured home improvement loan, or work with specialized pool-financing companies that offer long fixed-term loans. Your city may even offer low-interest or deferred home improvement programs if you qualify. The right option depends on your equity, credit, project size, and comfort with risk—fixed loans provide predictable payments, while HELOCs offer flexibility but can carry variable rates. There are a number of reputable lending institutions that can provide you with various lending options. Please contact us for additional information.
We offer 4 pool cleaning/maintenance options to meet your usage needs. The service options include skimming, brushing walls and steps, vacuuming as needed, emptying baskets, inspecting equipment, and testing/balancing chemicals.
Skim daily if possible, brush and vacuum at least weekly. Regular care helps prevent algae and staining.
Duration varies, with many environmental, pool usage and equipment factors that determine the perfect pump run time. Typically, 8–12 hours per day in summer, and 4–6 hours in cooler months with adjusting based on pool size, equipment, usage and surrounding landscape.
Weekly at a minimum with a professional grade testing kit, and results assessed by a trained technician. During Sacramento’s hot summers, home test kits every few days are recommended to identify early stages of algae colonization and prevent blooms forming between weekly scheduled visit.
Cloudy pools are a safety concern that requires immediate remediation as it obscures visibility of the bottom of the pool and delays identifying and employing time sensitive, lifesaving emergency recovery efforts of impaired or distressed swimmers. It can also be a sign of bacteria or algae growth due to insufficient sanitation or improper water chemistry, making it unhealthy for swimmers. It’s imperative to monitor your pool water clarity frequently between your weekly visits to manage the pool clarity and at the first sight of cloudiness, immediately employ daily debris removal, brushing of the walls and floor and assess the filter hygiene until your next service appointment. We are available to create a treatment plan and can work with you to incorporate additional treatment appointments until the cloudiness resolves. Pricing may vary.
Low circulation, poor brushing, or phosphate levels; more often, older, and lovingly-worn pool surfaces that become porous, develops tiny cracks, and microscopic pores and crevices that provides algae spores, especially black algae, with sheltered places to hide from the pool’s sanitation chemicals. Consistent brushing, targeted algaecides, enhance circulation and chemical balancing between weekly visits are key. At the first sign of algae, we are available to create a treatment plan and can work with you to incorporate additional treatment appointments until the algae bloom resolves. Pricing may vary.
No. Even unused pools need chemical balancing, debris removal, and equipment checks to prevent costly issues.
Yes — heat and sunlight increase chlorine demand and algae growth. Longer circulation helps maintain water quality.
Yes. Leaves and dirt can raise phosphate levels, leading to algae. Skimming often makes a big difference.
Wait at least 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the chemical added. After shocking, wait 24 hours and confirm safe chlorine levels.
Saltwater systems use a generator to create chlorine from salt. They’re gentler on skin but still need monitoring and care.
Backwash sand/DE filters when pressure rises 8–10 psi above normal. Cartridges should be rinsed every 4–6 weeks.
Every pool is unique, and factors such as pool usage, size, regular maintenance, existing pool equipment and age contribute to the filter life span; in general, the life span of a filter is:
In cases where the automatic pool cleaner is less efficient, the condition is typically due to incorrect pressure (which leads to incorrect waterflow). It may be clogged, the hose may be tangled, or suction/pressure could be low. It’s also important to check if the cleaner filter is dirty, which reduces the water flow for optimal performance. If everything is in good order, yet still failing then a new part of replacement unit may be needed.
The pH is the measure of acidity in the pool water. The pH only ranges between 0 – 14, so even a slight change in the pH of your water can greatly affect various elements in your pool. A pool’s pH should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.6. A low pH means that the water is acidic and will dry out your liner, eat away at any stainless steel and copper parts of your pool, as well as cause irritation to swimmer’s eyes and skin. The pH can be easily tested for and is inexpensive to adjust.
Shocking your swimming pool is a very important element in maintaining your pool water’s clarity and balance. Using chlorine tablets alone will not kill off all bacteria and algae that grow in the pool water. Also, the chlorine tablets have a very low pH level, and their overuse will lead to a low pH, which is very dangerous to the pool, and its users. By shocking the pool, you will be quickly raising the chlorine level, which will rid the pool of contaminants, without lowering the pH of the pool water.
Backwashing your filter removes debris that gets caught up in your sand or DE so that your filter can continue to work effectively in cleaning your pool. Backwashing should be done whenever the filter pressure increases approximately 10 psi over normal pressure, and the water pressure returning to the pool decreases. Follow your filter system’s instructions or contact Pinnacle Pool and Spa Services.
Testing at home with your strips or drop test kits give you only a limited reading of your balancing chemical levels of your pool water. The average home test kit only reads pH, chlorine, and sometimes alkalinity. There are various other levels that are important to your pool that need to be tested on a regular basis to ensure water balance and safety for the swimmers. Also, having a profession can be far more accurate than home tests, leaving you with added security that your pool water is safe and balanced.
Signs include frequent refilling, wet spots in the yard, air bubbles in the pump, or chemical levels dropping faster than usual.
WARNING: CHILDREN CAN FALL INTO BUCKET AND DROWN. KEEP CHILDREN AWAY FROM BUCKET WITH EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID.
Place a bucket of water on a pool step, mark the levels inside and outside, and compare after 24 hours. If the pool level drops more, you likely have a leak. The specific steps are below:
In case of rain, repeat the bucket test. Expect water loss from normal evaporation. Test is invalid after 24 hours. Typical evaporation a quarter inch of water loss per day is most likely evaporation. The evaporation rate in your area will depend on humidity, sunlight intensity, barometric pressure, wind and the level of activity in the pool or spa.
Call us today if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment!
We use specialized tools like electronic listening devices, dye testing, and pressure testing of plumbing lines.
Most inspections take a few hours, depending on the pool and plumbing layout.
No. Most leak detection is done with water in the pool.
Yes, many cracks, fittings, and light niche leaks can be fixed underwater. Larger issues may require draining.
Skimmers, return lines, light niches, tile lines, and underground plumbing are the most frequent sources.
We’ll provide repair options. Some can be fixed immediately; more complex leaks may require scheduling.
Costs vary by severity, complexity and location of the leak
Leaks should always be repaired before refinishing to avoid damaging the new surface.
Yes. Shifting ground or tree roots can damage pipes and pool structures.
Maintain the water level with a hose and avoid letting the pump run dry.
A leaking swimming pool can cost a pool owner hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. If you think you have a leak in your pool you can conduct a bucket test to determine if it is a true leak or if it’s merely evaporation. There are also some other hints to identify leaks on our At Home Diagnostics page.
Yes! We not only find the leaking area of swimming pools whether it be underground, under the concrete deck, in the waterfalls or even near the system but we also perform the leak repairs! We can also replace your pool skimmer and swimming pool drain cover.
We specialize in plaster, quartz, pebble, and tile finishes — each with its own style and lifespan.
Yes. The pool must be drained before resurfacing begins.
Plaster typically lasts a decade, while pebble and quartz can last 15–20 years with good care.
Proper water balance, brushing during startup, and avoiding harsh chemicals extend its life.
Yes. We install new waterline tile, coping, and can upgrade decks and features.
Yes. From refinishing to adding lights, steps, benches, or a spa, we handle custom remodels.
Usually 7–10 days, after the startup process and water balancing.
Age, water imbalance, or poor installation. Resurfacing is the solution when damage spreads.
Small areas can be patched for a temporary solution, but widespread issues usually require a full refinish.
Yes, we can handle all aspects of your pool remodeling project from beginning to end! We can’t wait to learn more about your pool project!
Likely a leak or excessive evaporation. Sacramento heat can evaporate ¼ inch daily, but more suggests a leak.
Algae due to low chlorine, poor circulation, high phosphates or an aging pool.
That’s calcium scale from Sacramento’s hard water.
Age or water imbalance damages surfaces. Resurfacing may be needed.
Skimmer cracks and light niche seals are common leak spots we repair.
Usually a dirty filter or plumbing blockage. Cleaning restores flow.
It may have a clogged line, tangled hose, or pump issue.
Could be electrical, mechanical, or plumbing related. We can diagnose and repair.
Contrary to popular belief, irritation is often caused by low pH, not chlorine.
Stains can come from lack of consistent maintenance, metals, leaves, or algae. The fix depends on the source.
The EPA WaterSense Pool Water Efficiency report listed pool covers, maintaining proper water quality, upgrading to a high-performance filter, replacing your gas heater with solar or an energy efficient heat pump, and recognizing and immediately fixing any leaks. A modern pool design, newer surface and upgraded filter system will also be more efficient.
Yes, we stay up to date with California and Sacramento requirements for pool safety and remodeling.
Yes, high calcium causes scaling and stains. Regular maintenance helps prevent it.
Hot summers increase chlorine use, while winters require reduced but steady care.
Run the pump a few hours daily, balance chemistry, and keep debris out.
A maintained pool loses less water than a lawn. We follow local water-use guidelines and minimize waste during repairs.
Yes, we recommend durable finishes like quartz or pebble for long-lasting beauty in hot summers.
Yes. Many area pools are decades old, and refinishing or plumbing upgrades can give them new life.
Yes, we coordinate with homeowner associations for repairs and remodel approvals.
Sacramento Area: (916) 530-2096 | Bay Area: (925) 849-6545 | Toll Free: (888) 994-7665 (POOL)
We serve the residential and commercial pool and spa communities of greater Sacramento to the Bay Area,
including Walnut Creek to Orinda, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, and Hwy 50 down to the 680 corridor.
Contact us! (888) 994 -7665 (POOL) to speak to a member of our team!
Contact UsPinnacle Pool and Spa Services, Inc is your trusted advisor when it comes to the efficient, reliable and cost effective approach to creating the pool of your dreams and maintaining your valuable resource! Competitive prices with friendly, reliable, and professional service. Contact us today!