The Basics of Pool and Building Maintenance

Providing maintenance services for a building, pool or any other property requires the right combination of knowledge, tools and skills. As a professional in the mechanical maintenance industry, it is your responsibility to learn the different techniques and basics to maintaining property so that you can find appropriate solutions when a problem arises when you are providing routine maintenance.

1. Pool Maintenance

Clean the Pool

Whether it is a pool or a building, cleanliness is essential. This Old House recommends that you start by removing large debris and setting up a pool vacuum before you take any further steps to adjust the chemicals in the pool. Maintenance services have to ensure that there will not be rocks or other debris in the pool that can damage the filter or other moving parts.

Adjust pH Levels and Chemicals

After the large debris is removed from the pool, test the pH balance and chemical levels in the water. The water should be adjusted to appropriate pH levels and chemicals are added to ensure that the water remains properly balanced for the upcoming months. Generally, a pool should have a pH balance of 7.4 to 7.7 (vinyl or tile finish), 7.5 to 7.5 (fiberglass finish), or 7.4 to 7.6 (gunite pools) to avoid potential concerns.

Lubricate Filter and Pump

According to SwimmingPool.com, it’s crucial that repair services lubricate the fittings, o-rings and any other moveable parts on the filter and pump after first removing the cover of the pool as well. It can also help to backwash the filter on a regular basis during routine maintenance.

Keep Up the Pool

The initial steps to maintain a pool take the most time because of the amount of cleaning that is required. After the pool has been cleaned after winter, regularly emptying the skimmer and pump basket can help keep the pool clean for the warmer months. Additional chemical re-balancing may be necessary at different times, but only when test results suggest that the water is not properly balanced.

2. Building Maintenance

Check the Building

Along with regular pool maintenance, a building needs to be properly maintained throughout the year. Generally, maintenance services will check the property before the start of winter and before the start of spring because of the problems that may arise during the changing weather conditions.

Inspect Piping

During routine maintenance on a building or house, the pipes are checked for potential weaknesses or problems. The New York Times points out that frozen pipes and damages to the wires of the house can occur throughout the winter months. Risks particularly increase when a property is being kept vacant for an extended period of time, so it is important to check for the most common problems that may arise, and follow all appropriate safety measures.

Clean the Gutters

After any damaged or weak pipes are replaced and the wiring is checked to ensure that it is sound, maintenance should also clean the gutters to prevent water from backing up and overflowing. Bigger Pockets suggests the use of extenders to the downspouts because it will ensure that any water in the gutters will also be moved away from the foundation.

Assess the Foundation

The foundation can also develop potential problems over time, so routine maintenance ought to check for any loose soil around the foundation, cracks or other signs of damage to the foundation of the building. Appropriate repairs for the foundation can depend on the problems that develop.

Examine Surrounding Land

The final consideration for the building is the surrounding land. When there are trees in front of the building, it is important to check that the branches are still sound. If there is any termite damage or rot, then the branches that are damaged should be removed to prevent damages to the building.

Maintaining a pool or building requires the right combination of cleaning, checking for potential problems, and repairs. It is not always necessary to provide extensive repairs, but it can help to catch potential concerns early so that the repairs are less complicated and the building stays in the best condition that is possible. Learning these skills from a technical school training program will give you the education and hands-on experience you need to maintain a pool or building.