On a hot day people and animals alike often seek out water to cool off. For many pool owners, this could include a quick swim with your favorite canine. However, even that quick swim with your dog could cause extensive problems for your pool.

Dogs affect pool chemical balance:

Pool chemicals can irritate both people and canine skin. Beyond irritated skin, even well-balanced pool chemicals can irritate your dog’s nose and eyes. You pool water is also likely to look dirty, possibly be contaminated with E. coli from the fecal matter on their skin and fur. The phosphates, nitrates, and bacteria naturally on dog skin can significantly disrupt the pH and the chemical balance of your pool water. You will have to test it and shock it more often to keep the chemicals in balance.

Quick reminder of what the levels should be:

• pH should always stay between 7.2 and 7.8 ideally, 7.4 and 7.6. An off-balance pH may lead to calcium buildup which puts undue stress on your liner and can be uncomfortable to swim next to.

• Chlorine should be between 1.0 and 4.0 parts per million (ppm), too much makes your pool look green. Too little means your pool is a good home for bacteria and algae.

Dogs of any size can cause your water level to drop:

There’s a saying one dog is equal to several additional people in the pool at the same time so all that splashing could cause your water level to drop, which in turn could create problems in the pool pump and can cause the pump to run dry or burn up. Just like you would check the pool water level after a party, check the pool water level after a dog, even a small dog, has been in your pool.

If you’ve had a dog in your pool, get checked out by the pros:

While you can do a lot on your own to mitigate the impact of a dog swimming in your pool on your own, you might need professional help. In fact, we recommend you have your pool serviced more often if you have dogs swimming with you. You may be good at checking your pool equipment such as filters, pumps, and heating systems but we can assess all of those for major and minor issues.

Dog toenails put your pool liner at risk for punctures:

If you have an above ground pool your pool liner is at risk of a puncture or tear when a dog is in the pool. Even if the dog’s feet don’t touch the bottom of the pool, when a dog climbs in and out of the pool, they will look for traction. Also, water increases a dog’s weight increases with the water and an accidental sharp toenail could easily puncture the liner as they climb out and scratch at the sides.

Filters are more easily clogged when a dog enters the pool:

Dog hair, debris can also clog your filter. Some pool owners find the dog hair manageable with more skimming and vacuuming but you risk clogging equipment. If a dog has been in your pool, even just for a few moments, be sure to check and empty both the pool skimmer basket (by the pool) and the pump basket (inside the pump) as soon as possible.

Swim ‘N Fun offers weekly pool maintenance. Our trained pool technicians service the pool by testing the pool water, balancing the water chemistry, skimming the pool, brushing the pool walls, emptying the baskets, vacuuming the pool as needed, cleaning or backwashing the pool filter as needed, and checking the equipment to ensure that it is running properly. Routine pool maintenance helps a pool owner to save money and time. A properly balanced pool will also help keep swimmers safe and healthy.

Swim ‘N Fun is fully licensed and insured and has been serving Central Florida since 1986. Our pool company is ready to help you with any pool repairs that you may need such as repairing a broken pool pump, pool filter, pool vacuum, pool filtration system or pool lights. Our pool technicians will arrive at your home in our fully stocked service trucks. They will evaluate the problem and then make the repair. Many times, an extensive or expensive pool repair is not needed. No job is too big or too small!

We service all major brands. Let us help you with your pool repairs. Please give us a call at 407-699-5588.

We serve all of Central Florida including Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Longwood, Maitland, Sanford, and the surrounding areas. Rely on us for all of your pool maintenance and pool repair needs. Please give us a call at 407-699-5588 to see how we can assist you. Call today!