PL

Pool Maintenance Lab

Diagnostics, precision care and sustainable pool programs

Comprehensive pool diagnostics and tailored maintenance programs

Pool Maintenance Lab specialises in evidence-driven aquatic care: precise water chemistry balancing, filtration and circulation system diagnostics, and proactive maintenance plans designed to prevent downtime and protect investment. Our technicians combine instrumented water analysis, mechanical inspection and energy-use assessment to deliver reliable, actionable recommendations. We serve homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial venues with flexible programs—from single inspections to scheduled preventive contracts—that are documented and measurable.

Each engagement includes a clear scope, recommended corrective actions and options prioritised by safety, longevity and operating economy. We also help clients plan seasonal transitions, automated monitoring, and energy-efficient upgrades that reduce operational cost while improving water quality and guest experience.

Phone: +351964972479
Address: Urbanização Cimo do Vale Velho 7, 3020-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Email: poolmaintenancelab@icloud.com
technician testing pool water

About Us — a lab-like approach to pool health

Pool Maintenance Lab was founded by pool technicians and water-quality engineers who noticed a gap between routine cleaning checklists and rigorous, data-led water stewardship. Our mission is to raise the technical baseline for pool management by combining field diagnostics, calibrated instrumentation and evidence-based service protocols. Instead of generalised heuristics, we use measured parameters—free and total chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, ATP and microbial screening as needed—to frame interventions that improve safety and reduce reactive maintenance. Filtration performance and flow rates are instrumented, pump curves checked, and sanitiser feed systems validated so recommended actions are precise and measurable.

We serve a range of clients: single-family pools requiring seasonal care, multi-family facilities needing robust preventive programs, and commercial aquatic venues with regulatory obligations. Our reports document test results, include photographic evidence of equipment conditions, and provide a clear priority list—safety critical items first, followed by efficiency and aesthetic improvements. Clients who implement our recommended plans experience fewer emergency cleanings, longer intervals between major equipment replacement, and improved guest satisfaction in commercial settings.

Training and knowledge transfer are part of our offering: for site teams we run short workshops covering daily test interpretation, backwash timing, sanitizer feed verification and simple troubleshooting. This combination of lab-grade diagnostics with practical education helps owners and operators take control of water quality with confidence.

pool laboratory and instruments

Advantages — why our approach reduces cost and risk

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advantages overview pool systems

Instrumented water chemistry with actionable thresholds

We deploy calibrated digital probes and portable titration methods to capture accurate readings across multiple water chemistry axes. Rather than relying on single-parameter fixes, our reports view chemistry holistically: how pH influences sanitizer efficacy, how alkalinity buffers pH drift, and how stabiliser concentrations interact with required free chlorine levels. Each diagnostic includes recommended dosing amounts, scheduling windows that minimise swimmer exposure, and verification steps so clients can confirm successful remediation. For complex or recurring imbalances we provide a root-cause analysis—examining source water, evaporation concentration effects, and sanitiser pump calibration—to remove underlying drivers rather than only treating symptoms. This reduces overuse of chemicals, improves swimmer safety, and preserves pool finishes and equipment.

Filtration & hydraulic diagnostics for sustained clarity

Clear water depends on proper circulation and filtration. Our technicians map actual flow rates, measure head pressure across filters, and inspect piping for obstructions and air entrainment. We validate pump performance against manufacturer curves and document when backwashing frequency or media replacement will restore designed throughput. Where sand, cartridge or diatomaceous earth media show degradation we provide comparative replacement options with lifecycle cost estimates. We also inspect skimmer and main drain balance to ensure turnover targets are achievable without excessive energy use, and when appropriate we recommend variable-speed pump programming to balance clarity with operational economy.

Energy & equipment efficiency audits

Beyond chemistry, equipment choices drive ongoing cost. Our efficiency audits measure pump kW consumption, assess heater setpoint strategies, and evaluate the return on investment for heat-pump retrofits, variable-speed drives or solar pre-heating. We model annual energy use under current and proposed configurations to show payback timelines and lifecycle savings. These audits also highlight low-cost operational changes—adjusting runtime, optimizing filtration cycles or modifying setpoints—that produce immediate reductions in utility spend without sacrificing safety or comfort.

Preventive maintenance schedules tailored to use patterns

Different pools have different usage rhythms: a private pool with occasional guests has different needs than a community pool with daily classes. We design preventive schedules that match loading profiles—defining backwash intervals, filter inspections, compressor checklists and seasonal checks. These plans reduce unexpected shutdowns by prioritising small, scheduled interventions over emergency reactive work. Clear SOPs and checklists are provided so on-site staff can execute routine tasks consistently while our periodic validation visits confirm the overall program is effective.

Regulatory compliance & record-ready reporting

For commercial operators, maintaining regulatory records is essential. Our reports are formatted to include timestamped measurements, photographic evidence and corrective-action logs suitable for inspection reviews. When licencing demands daily logs or specific microbial thresholds, we set up monitoring cadence and reporting templates that keep operators audit-ready. This reduces fines, paperwork scramble and the reputational risk associated with non-compliance.

Integrated incident response and remediation support

When incidents occur—algal bloom, significant turbidity events, or chemical overdoses—rapid, decisive actions limit downtime and protect users. We maintain emergency protocols and supply kits for rapid application: shock dosing strategies, flocculation and filtration accelerants, and temporary circulation adjustments. Our team can mobilise guided remediation work or provide remote technical direction for team-led responses, ensuring interventions are safely executed and verified through subsequent testing to confirm recovery.

Services — practical lab-grade solutions for pools

Comprehensive Pool Inspection & Report

Full-site assessment including water chemistry, filtration performance, pump curve validation, heater diagnostics and safety equipment checks. Delivered with a prioritised remediation plan and cost estimates for recommended repairs or upgrades.

Scheduled Preventive Maintenance Plans

Tailored maintenance programs with scheduled visits, parameter logs, media changes and seasonal commissioning. Plans include on-site checklists, consumables management and optional remote monitoring integration.

Water Chemistry Optimisation

Precision dosing, stabiliser management, and tailored sanitizer strategies (chlorine, salt-chlorination, alternative oxidizers) designed to maintain safe, balanced water while reducing chemical waste over time.

Filtration Overhauls & Media Replacement

Media analysis and replacement, cartridge servicing, DE filter recharging and mechanical repairs to restore and maintain design throughput and clarity performance.

Energy Efficiency & Equipment Upgrades

Recommendations and installation support for variable-speed pumps, heat-pumps, solar pre-heating and control systems that reduce long term operational costs and carbon footprint.

Seasonal Commissioning & Emergency Response

Opening and closing procedures, winterising protocols, and rapid-response remediation for acute events that threaten safety or operability.

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service workflow and pool maintenance

How to engage

1) Request an inspection via the contact page or phone; 2) we perform an on-site diagnostic and deliver a written report with prioritised actions; 3) approve a scope and schedule; 4) follow a preventive regimen with periodic review and optional upgrades. We provide fixed-fee proposals for discrete projects and retainer options for ongoing support.

Why documentation matters

Each visit is logged and documented; records serve as the authoritative operational history for insurance, regulatory and resale purposes. This documentation reduces ambiguity and supports long-term service continuity.