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.

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:

• Sand: every 5–7 years
• DE grids: every 7–10 years
• Cartridges: every 3–5 years

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.