What Pool Scouts Technicians Check Every Visit (That Most Homeowners Don’t)

A lot of people think pool service is basically showing up, skimming some leaves, adding a little chlorine, and calling it a day. And yeah, that’s part of it. But if that’s all that’s happening, you’re missing most of what actually keeps a pool running right and staying clear year after year.

When a Pool Scouts tech comes out every week, they’re not just doing the obvious stuff. They’re looking at things most homeowners never even think to check—or don’t know how to check properly. It’s the difference between a pool that lasts 15–20 years with minimal headaches and one that starts costing you thousands in repairs or full replacements way too soon.

Here’s what our guys actually do on a typical visit, broken down so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.

Visual and Structural Checks

They start by walking the whole pool and looking closely.

Waterline gets a good inspection every time. That ring of calcium, oil, or algae scum? It tells a story. If it’s building up fast, it usually means pH is high or there’s too much oil from sunscreen/body products. Left alone, it etches the tile and makes cleaning harder later.

The tile and coping condition comes next. Cracks, loose pieces, calcium nodules, or staining—they spot it early. A small crack or pop can turn into a big leak if ignored. Same with the plaster/pebble/aggregate surface: they look for pitting, roughness, or early discoloration that signals chemistry issues or wear.

These aren’t “nice to have” checks. They’re early warnings that save you from having to replaster or retile down the road.

Equipment Monitoring

They don’t just turn the pump on and walk away.

Pumps get listened to and felt. Weird humming, vibration, or heat? That’s a sign of a failing bearing, impeller clog, or seal issue. They check for leaks around the lid or shaft too. Catching a pump problem early means you fix it for a couple hundred bucks instead of replacing the whole thing for $800–$1,500.

Filters are opened or backwashed (depending on type). Cartridge filters get hosed if they’re dirty; sand/DE get backwashed and checked for channeling or low pressure. Dirty filters kill circulation, spike energy bills, and let algae spores hide.

Valves and pressure gauges get a look. If the pressure’s creeping up on the filter gauge, it’s dirty. If it drops suddenly, there might be a leak or broken lateral. They flip multiport valves, check diverter positions, and make sure nothing’s stuck or leaking.

All this takes maybe 10–15 minutes, but it prevents breakdowns that leave you without filtration for days.

Water Chemistry Beyond Just Chlorine

Chlorine gets tested, sure—but that’s only one piece.

pH is checked every single visit because it affects everything else. Too high and chlorine won’t work right, calcium scales up, and water feels slippery. Too low and it eats plaster, corrodes metal fittings, makes eyes burn. It drifts fast after rain or heavy use.

Total alkalinity is measured to keep pH stable. If it’s low, pH bounces like crazy; if it’s high, it’s hard to adjust anything.

Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) is tested regularly. Too low and chlorine burns off in the sun; too high and chlorine gets “locked up” and won’t sanitize. Most homeowners never test this one, and it’s why chlorine tabs alone don’t keep things steady.

Calcium hardness is looked at, too, especially in our hard-water area. High calcium causes scaling; low calcium causes corrosion. They adjust as needed to protect surfaces and equipment.

Seasonal tweaks happen automatically—more stabilizer in summer, a different focus in winter, phosphate checks to prevent algae from sneaking in.

Why These Checks Matter Long-Term

All this adds up to real savings and peace of mind.

Equipment lasts longer. A pump that gets caught early with a bad seal might cost $200–$300 to fix. Ignore it, and you’re buying a new pump. Same with filters, heaters, anything mechanical.

Water stays safe. Balanced chemistry means no burning eyes, no slimy surfaces, no hidden bacteria pockets. Kids and pets can swim without worry.

You avoid the big surprise bills. A full replaster can run $8,000–$15,000. Tile replacement costs thousands. New equipment packages hit five figures. Regular visits spot the small stuff before it turns into those numbers.

It’s not about over-maintaining—it’s about preventing the expensive disasters most people only see after it’s too late.

This Is Why Professional Pool Care Isn’t ‘Extra’—It’s Essential

If you’re just skimming and adding tabs, you’re doing part of the job. But the rest—the detailed checks, the consistent testing, the full-system attention—is what keeps a pool healthy in the long term.

That’s exactly what the weekly Pool Scouts service delivers. It’s not flashy, but it works. And it saves you way more than it costs.

If you’re tired of wondering what’s really going on with your pool, or you just want someone who actually looks at everything, reach out. A local tech can come by, do a full check, test the water, walk you through what they see, and show you exactly what we’d do on every visit. No pressure—just real info.

Your pool’s worth protecting. Let us help keep it right.

We’re happy to help. Just give us a call at 469-352-9191 or message at mckinney@poolscouts.com.

— Your local Pool Scouts crew