Maintenance of pool screen enclosures, pool cages and patio …

Q. What is the best way to clean my pool enclosure screens?

A. Use a mild soap and water mixture, such as dish soap. Using a soft bristle brush, scrub from side to side, up and down, front and back, and then rinse the screen soap free with a garden hose. After rinsing, snap-dry the screens to shake off most of the water then allow them to air dry. Depending on how dirty your screens are, you may have to repeat this process.

Q. I have some mold on the aluminum pool screen fixtures and casings. I've heard I can clean it safely with bleach water, is that correct?

A. This is a bit more than a "yes or no" question. Have you ever cleaned an aluminum pot with bleach -- depending upon the amount of pure bleach you could compromise the integrity of the aluminum or discolor the pot. The same principle can apply here. You need to be careful how much bleach you mix with the water. It doesn't take much to kill mold but some home owners believe "more is better" and when it comes to using chemicals and cleaning agents that is not necessarily a correct principle. It would be better to use a very light mixture of bleach and water to kill the mold and then follow up with the basic cleaning above. Another consideration is the color of the aluminum -- if your pool enclosure aluminum is white then the mold shows up quicker as opposed to a dark or bronzed aluminum service. Cleaning as outlined in the above question on a regular basis usually impedes the formation of mold...BUT if you are in an area where it just keeps growing quickly then consider the use of a very light bleach mixture occasionally. If the problem is too persistent then first call your pool enclosure company for more direct referrals or a referral to a specialized cleaning service - but this is rarely needed even in areas such as central florida.

Q. How can I scare off ducks when they want to sleep and crap on my screen pool cage when I sleep at night?

A. Here are some suggestions about this from other pool enclosure owners:

A. This is another complicated question. The most important factors are finding out what the pool cage or pool screen enclosure being built for your pool area is rated for with regards to storms, wind and weather. Some companies provide poor, or weaker, structures than other companies. The type of materials, thickness and strength of the aluminum, and the structure of the design are all factors that go into this consideration. The first thing you should do is ask your pool cage company what their ratings are and if they offer any additional strengthening or upgrading to their standard structures. If not, you may want to consider another company. Summer Time Screen Enclosures, Inc. builds very strong cages and enclosures as their standard and can discuss with you any additional considerations you might want.

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Maintenance of pool screen enclosures, pool cages and patio ...