After Arizona’s hottest summer on record, pool owners across the Valley are confronting the hidden costs of months of extreme heat. Scottsdale-based Optimal Pool Care reports a sharp increase in repair and cleanup requests since August, driven primarily by failed pumps, algae-filled pools, and scaled or cracked surfaces.
The heat arrived early and stayed late. Phoenix recorded 100 degrees as early as March 18, the earliest such reading in 20 years, and set a daily record of 114 degrees on August 25. Statewide, summer temperatures averaged 2.7 degrees above normal.
“Most homeowners think of a pool as something that sits there all summer. In reality, the pump, filter and water chemistry were working overtime for six straight months. By October, a lot of that equipment is worn out, and the damage usually doesn’t show until something fails,” said Santos Castro, owner of Optimal Pool Care.
Technicians report that this summer’s damage generally falls into three categories. Overworked equipment tops the list, as pumps run longer hours to circulate hot water, causing motors to overheat, bearings to wear, and seals to fail—often simultaneously in early fall. Algae and unbalanced water follow, because sun and heat deplete chlorine faster than many homeowners replenish it, allowing a pool to turn green within days of neglected care. Surface and tile damage also accumulates, as constant evaporation deposits calcium from the Valley’s hard water, building scale on tile and plaster while extreme temperature swings crack coping and loosen tile.
To help homeowners assess the damage, Optimal Pool Care recommends checking for five warning signs this fall. A pump that sounds different—grinding, loud humming, or tripping the breaker—typically indicates a worn motor or bearings. Water that won’t stay clear, turning cloudy or green days after treatment, points to a filter or circulation problem. A white crust at the waterline signals calcium scale that is easier and less costly to remove before it hardens. Rough, stained, or flaking plaster that feels like sandpaper may require an acid wash or resurfacing. Cracked coping or loose tile allows water behind the tile and can develop into more extensive repairs.
The company advises homeowners to have their pump, filter, water chemistry, and surfaces inspected this fall, before minor heat damage becomes a significant repair heading into next summer. Optimal Pool Care provides weekly pool cleaning and full repair service across Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler, with written pricing provided upfront before any work begins.
“Weekly service is the best protection against a summer like this one. When someone checks your chemistry, cleans your filter and listens to your pump every week, small problems get fixed before they turn into a $1,000-plus pump replacement,” Castro said.
Homeowners can schedule service by visiting optimalpoolcare.com. With more than 15 years of experience, the company’s technicians are Certified Pool & Spa Operators and members of the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association.
