Coastal living brings pool owners a wealth of unique pleasures, from picturesque sunsets to refreshing beach escapes. However, dealing with sand certainly isn’t one of them. While this unwelcome addition to your water is a small price to pay for paradise, it does not need to be a permanent one. Aqua Blue Pools and our pool maintenance team can help you create a crystal-clear oasis.
How does sand enter a pool?
You don’t need to live on the beachfront for sand to cause trouble. Pool owners across the Lowcountry can find themselves with cloudy waters, despite their proximity, with sand able to find its way into coastal pools through various routes.
This can include travel via wind and weather. For example, Charleston and Hilton Head’s coastal breezes can carry fine sand particles into your pool area. These particles then settle on pool surfaces and eventually wash into the water. Nearby construction, landscaping projects or natural erosion can contribute to sand entering your pool, particularly during storms or heavy rains.
Sand may also be introduced by your pool swimmers! After all, who doesn’t love to end a long beach day with a relaxing dip? If you’re not careful, sand could be included in this crowd, with guests inadvertently tracking particles into the pool area on their feet. Adding an outdoor shower or rinse-off area to your space can be critical in avoiding this inconvenience.
How does sand affect your waters?
While small amounts of sand may seem harmless, it can lead to several issues that affect your pool’s aesthetics and functionality:
- Filter Clogging: Sand particles can accumulate in your pool’s filtration system, reducing efficiency and potentially causing equipment damage over time.
- Water Clarity: Sand can cloud your pool water, making it appear murky and uninviting, ultimately affecting the swimming experience.
- Surface Abrasion: Excessive sand accumulation can scratch pool surfaces, including vinyl liners and pool tiles, which may lead to costly repairs.
- Foot Discomfort: Sand settled on the pool bottom can create discomfort for swimmers and guests, detracting from their enjoyment.
Do sand filters hurt or help?
Sand filters are a common type of filtration system used in swimming pools. These filters trap debris and contaminants as water passes through a bed of sand. When in proper condition, this “good” sand acts as a natural filtration medium, capturing particles and allowing clean water to return to the pool.
However, if not correctly maintained, sand filters can develop issues such as channeling (where water bypasses the sand bed) or broken or worn-out components that allow sand to escape into the pool. Regular checks and tune-ups from your pool maintenance team can help avoid or correct these issues.
How do you remove sand from your pool?
While regular, professional pool maintenance is the ideal preventative to keep your waters sparkling, there are steps you can take to promote or support this. Add these practices to your at-home pool care routine:
- Regularly skim the pool’s surface using a leaf skimmer to remove floating debris. The surest way to remove excess sand from your pool system is to use a pool vacuum to clean sand settled on the pool bottom and in hard-to-reach corners.
- If your pool uses a sand filter, periodically backwash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Backwashing helps flush out trapped sand and debris, maintaining the filter’s effectiveness.
- Brush pool surfaces to dislodge sand particles that may have adhered to them. This makes it easier to vacuum or filter out the sand during the cleaning process.
- To minimize sand entering your pool, keep surrounding areas clean and free of debris. Use walk-off mats or designated footwear areas to prevent guests from tracking sand into the pool zone.
Above all else, partner with your pool building/design team. Aqua Blue Pools is proud to offer our Lowcountry clients expert care and scheduled and as-needed service of their Aqua Blue pool.
Keep Your Waters Crystal Clear
As the Lowcountry’s premier custom pool builder, Aqua Blue Pools is ready to bring your dream pool to life. Since 1991, our team has designed and built pools in a range of styles for residential and commercial clients from South Carolina’s Lowcountry to Savannah. We are proud to work closely with our clients to create and execute impressive custom projects built to last. Contact us today to begin planning your oasis!