Pool ownership is all about regular maintenance and paying attention to potential problems. However, you need to know what to look for in order to catch pool issues early. Here are some of the most expensive pool problems, courtesy of a professional pool service, and tips for avoiding them through regular maintenance, inspection and occasional professional attention.

Cracked Tiling - This is a common pool problem, especially in the spring. In most cases, tile cracks because of sudden, major changes in the weather, so you can avoid most cases of cracked tiling by properly winterizing your pool. Contact a professional pool service at the end of your swimming season to set up winterization.

Tile can also crack due to bond beam issues, which are much more expensive to fix. If you notice any broken tile, have your pool service come out and diagnose the problem to make sure that you don't need anything more than a quick tile repair. The sooner you fix bond beam issues, the better the long-term structural integrity of your backyard pool.

Stain Agitation - If a large brown stain appears on the side or bottom of your pool, you might have a simple organic problem that you can clean up with a quick shock treatment. However, it could also be mineral buildup, which can be difficult and expensive to remove.

If shocking your pool doesn't seem to get rid of a stain, get it treated by professionals immediately. Otherwise, you might end up paying for a new sidewall or expensive mineral buildup removal.

Broken Filter Systems - If you need to replace your pool's filter system, you'll pay at least $500 for parts and more for service.

Pool pump problems - Give special attention to your pool pump. If you notice strange sounds, leaks or other symptoms of pump issues, you can save big money by calling a pool repair company immediately.  The water pump works hard to keep the pool clean. It has numerous parts, including a fairly powerful motor, so you'll occasionally experience some hardware issues that need prompt attention.

Most pool owners know to check and clean their filters every day, but you should also perform a chemical clean at least once a year to keep the filter system from building up gunk and residue.

Pool maintenance gets a bad reputation, but keeping a clean, beautiful pool shouldn't take more than a few minutes of your day. Check your pool for problems frequently and you'll keep your repair bills in check.