Pool Care Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Pool Care FAQs in Texas
How much does your pool cleaning service cost?
Our prices vary depending on the size of your pool, its condition, and the frequency of our services. Please contact us for a free estimate.
What is chlorine lock?
What is aggressive water?
Aggressive water in pools happens when water temperature changes and allows the water to uptake more minerals than what are present in the water column. An easy example of this; a cup of hot water can dissolve exponentially more sugar into the water column than its cold counterpart. This is perfectly fine because typically a cup isn’t made out of sugar so the structural integrity of the glass container is never at risk. In your pool, as water temperature LOWERS it INCREASES the amount of calcium your water can uptake into its water column (the opposite of sugar in water). Your pool is a glass of water that’s made of sugar because the structural integrity of your plaster heavily relies on calcium. So as the fall and winter approach and people stop paying attention to their pool because they no longer need it to be safe for people to swim in, they often neglect the most important time to monitor your water balance for your pool’s health. Aggressive water can take years off of the pool plaster life and prematurely wear out seals in your filters and pumps. Water conditions change with the temperature fluctuations which is why it is so important to have a competent pool team taking care of your pool year round to prevent unnecessary maintenance bills!
What is scale building?
Your pool water is said to be scale building if conditions exist in the pool that no longer allow the water to hold minerals in solution. Scale building is the opposite of aggressive water. Scale building water can be just as hazardous to your pool’s health as aggressive water. Scale building water can leave staining on mosaic tile if left for extended periods of time, it can also cause mineral deposits to build up in your filtration system (UV Sterilizers, chlorine puck feeders, salt cells, etc.)
How long should my pump be running to keep my pool clean?
High Tide Pools recommends running your swimming pool pump 1 hour for every 10 degrees of outside temperature. (80F outside = 8 hours) This easy to remember calculation ensures your pool is circulating the necessary sanitation chemicals to fight off algae and
water borne illnesses that can be introduced to your water! We understand that pumps are a drain on electricity and can be costly to run during the day, especially with electric providers offering deals like “free night time electricity” but it is important to note that the pump must be running during daylight hours. If electric consumption is something you are concerned about, there are great options to lower your bill like an energy efficient variable speed pump!
Why does my pool water smell strongly of chlorine?
You may assume a strong chlorine smell means there’s too much chlorine in the water, but it’s actually the opposite. That sharp, eye-stinging smell comes from chloramines, which form when chlorine combines with contaminants like sweat, sunscreen, and urine. Chloramines are what’s left over after chlorine has already been used up doing its job, and they’re far less effective at sanitizing your water. A properly chlorinated Texas pool should have little to no smell at all.
If your pool has a strong odor, it’s usually a sign you need more chlorine (a “shock” treatment), not less, and another reason water testing should be left to a team like High Tide Pools that understands the chemistry, not just the smell test.
water borne illnesses that can be introduced to your water! We understand that pumps are a drain on electricity and can be costly to run during the day, especially with electric providers offering deals like “free night time electricity” but it is important to note that the pump must be running during daylight hours. If electric consumption is something you are concerned about, there are great options to lower your bill like an energy efficient variable speed pump!
Why is my pool water green or cloudy?
Green water almost always means algae has taken hold, usually because chlorine levels dropped too low for too long, often from the intense Texas heat, heavy pool use, or rainfall diluting your chemicals. Cloudy (but not green) water is a different issue and is usually caused by poor filtration, high pH, or high calcium levels (see our section on scale building).
Both problems are easier to prevent than to fix: once algae blooms, it can take multiple treatments and several days to fully clear, and in the meantime you’re not able to use your pool. High Tide Pools can help with regular water testing and a consistent maintenance schedule to catch these issues before they become visible.
If your pool has a strong odor, it’s usually a sign you need more chlorine (a “shock” treatment), not less, and another reason water testing should be left to a team like High Tide Pools that understands the chemistry, not just the smell test.
water borne illnesses that can be introduced to your water! We understand that pumps are a drain on electricity and can be costly to run during the day, especially with electric providers offering deals like “free night time electricity” but it is important to note that the pump must be running during daylight hours. If electric consumption is something you are concerned about, there are great options to lower your bill like an energy efficient variable speed pump!
Should I keep my pump running through the winter, or shut it off?
We generally recommend continuing to run your pump through the winter, just for fewer hours than in summer, following the same “1 hour per 10 degrees” rule outlined above. Completely shutting off circulation for months at a time allows water to sit stagnant, makes it harder to catch and correct aggressive water conditions, and can lead to a much bigger (and more expensive) cleanup process when you reopen the pool in spring.
My pool looks clear and safe but I was told the water isn’t balanced correctly?
Why does my pool seem to be losing water? Do I have a leak?
Some water loss is completely normal and is called evaporation. On a hot, dry, or windy Texas day, it’s normal for a pool to lose a quarter inch to half an inch of water per day. A simple way to tell the difference: mark the water level with tape, wait 24 hours with the pump off, and compare it to a bucket of water sitting on your pool step (which will only lose water to evaporation).
If your pool is losing significantly more water than the bucket, you may have a leak in the plumbing, liner, or equipment, and you should call High Tide Pools to have it inspected before it causes structural damage or a spike in your water bill.
What's the difference between a chlorine pool and a saltwater pool?
What's included in a standard pool cleaning visit?
Every weekly visit includes testing and correcting your water chemistry (chemicals included), emptying skimmer and pump baskets, emptying the pool vacuum, brushing steps, sun ledges, and walls, backwashing filters as needed, and checking your equipment to make sure it’s running efficiently. You’ll also get a report sent straight to your phone after every visit with an onsite photo and your pool’s chemical readings.
If you’re on our Full Service Plan, we also skim the surface and vacuum the entire pool floor with an external vacuum system every visit, our Chemical-Plus Plan is designed for pool owners who prefer to handle surface skimming and vacuuming themselves. We’ll help you pick the right plan for how hands-on you want to be during your free quote.
How often will you come service my pool?
Most of our clients are on a weekly service schedule, which is what we recommend for Texas’s climate, especially during the hot months when algae and chemical demand increase quickly. During your estimate, we’ll recommend a frequency based on your specific pool needs.
If you’re on our Full Service Plan, we also skim the surface and vacuum the entire pool floor with an external vacuum system every visit, our Chemical-Plus Plan is designed for pool owners who prefer to handle surface skimming and vacuuming themselves. We’ll help you pick the right plan for how hands-on you want to be during your free quote.
Do you offer one-time cleanings, or only ongoing service?
We primarily focus on recurring maintenance because consistent care is what actually protects your pool’s equipment and surfaces long-term. Many of the problems we’ve described on this page (aggressive water, scale building, chlorine lock) develop slowly and are best caught with regular monitoring. That said, we’re happy to discuss one-time
cleanups, like getting a neglected pool back in shape before opening it for the season. Contact us to talk through your specific situation.
What areas do you service?
What is a variable speed pump, and is it worth upgrading to one?
Traditional single-speed pumps only run at one speed – full power – whether your pool needs it or not. A variable speed pump lets you run your pump at a lower, more efficient speed for most of the day (like the extended run times we recommend above) while still being able to ramp up when needed, such as after a rainstorm or heavy pool use.
Because pump electricity usage rises sharply with speed, running a variable speed pump at a lower setting for more hours can use significantly less electricity than running a single-speed pump for fewer hours, often paying for the upgrade through utility savings over time, on top of being gentler on your equipment.
How often should I replace my pool filter or pump?
This depends on the type of filter you have. Cartridge filters typically need replacing every 1–2 years, while DE (diatomaceous earth) and sand filter media can last longer with proper backwashing and care. Pumps generally last 8–12 years, though how well the water has been balanced over that time plays a big role, as we mentioned above, aggressive and scale-building water conditions can prematurely wear out pump seals.
Our regular equipment checks help us catch early warning signs, like unusual noise or reduced flow, before they turn into a full breakdown.
How should I prepare my pool for winter?
Texas winters rarely require a full pool shutdown, but they do require a shift in maintenance. Water temperature drops, which, as covered in our section on aggressive water, increases the risk of your pool pulling calcium out of the plaster. This is exactly the season when many pool owners stop paying attention, which is the worst time to do so.
High Tide Pools recommends continuing regular water testing and adjusted pump run-times through the colder months rather than fully closing the pool, to protect your plaster and equipment year-round.
Our regular equipment checks help us catch early warning signs, like unusual noise or reduced flow, before they turn into a full breakdown.
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