Waterfalls are lovely water features that grace many of the swimming pools in Phoenix. Although they don’t perform any function on the pool, they look really cool and the sound of falling water is extremely soothing and relaxing.
However, waterfalls are a pool cleaner’s nightmare. They hold and collect debris. Birds love to drink from these features and deposit their droppings all around. That means that when you turn them on prior to cleaning them, the waterfall pumps all that icky stuff into your pool.
Although waterfalls rarely plug up, they must be run them periodically because algae will grow in the lines and back toward the pump. We recommend running your water feature/waterfall at least once per month to clear out the lines.
A word of caution … you must have a professional install the waterfall. All waterfalls leak, regardless of how well constructed they are. If the waterfall is constructed on your pool deck, the water will eventually leak through the base and begin eating away at the pool deck. The way waterfalls are supposed to be built is by carving a tray-like basin into the pool decking. The tray has a slight gradient so water will run back into the pool and not ruin the decking or other features around your pool.
If you have a problem with your waterfall, or would like a waterfall or water feature installed, please come into Pool People in Glendale, Arizona, and ask us what will work for your pool. Pool People provides regular pool and spa cleaning, pool and spa maintenance, pool remodeling, pool and spa repairs, as well as tile cleaning for residents of the Northwest Valley in Phoenix. We also have a fully stocked pool store at 5830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Suite B-6, Glendale, AZ.