Tips To Maintain Your Swimming Pool
Many of us dream of owning a swimming pool. We think of cooling off on hot days and the fun we can have with our friends and family.
While owning a swimming pool can be great, it isn’t all splashing around and having fun. There is work and responsibility that comes with a pool. Beyond learning about pool safety, you will need to get familiar with swimming pool maintenance.
New pool owners are often surprised about the amount of work that goes into maintaining a pool. It is important because you want to protect the investment in the pool. Along with that, some of the maintenance is about keeping the pool clean and sanitary.
What do you need to do to maintain your pool? Read on to find out!
Skim the Pool and Clean Baskets Regularly
Removing debris is one of the most important parts of pool maintenance. Things like leaves, bugs, and sticks will fall in the water. If you don’t remove this debris, it can affect the efficiency of the pool’s circulation system. Leaving debris in the pool can also affect pH or require you to use more chlorine.
The first step is to skim the pool regularly. Grab your long-handled skimmer and scoop out debris you see floating at the surface. You should try to do this every day when the pool is open. Beyond that, clean out the strainer baskets in the pool. You can do this once or twice a week.
Vacuum the Pool
Vacuuming is another key step in keeping your pool clean. Even with skimming and all the other work you do, dirt and other substances will sink to the bottom and settle on the floor. The pool vacuum removes this contamination to help you maintain a cleaner pool. This is another step that can help you limit the need for chlorine. It is recommended that you vacuum the pool at least once a week. You can also find automatic pool vacuums that make the work a little easier.
Maintain Water Levels
You need to maintain the water level in your pool. First, a loss of water can force you to do more work concerning balancing the pH. Along with that, if the water level gets too low, air could get in the filter system and put parts like the motor at risk. In general, water loss is a small problem that results from evaporation and splashing. However, leaks can be a significant issue.
According to the pros from Leak Science, “A swimming pool leak can be a big problem. It can make it difficult to manage water levels, and it can cost you a lot in lost water. On top of that, most pool owners won’t be able to detect and repair a leak on their own.”
Clean the Pool Filter
The filter is another key component for keeping your pool clean. As a part of the pool’s circulatory system, it traps dirt and debris to help you maintain clear water. However, when to clean a pool filter can vary depending on a range of factors. To start, there are different types of pool filters. Beyond that, the frequency with which you use your pool and various environmental factors can play a role. If you are not skimming and cleaning your pool regularly, that can also lead to issues with the filter.
Chlorinate Water and Manage pH
Pool owners need to do everything they can to maintain water that is clean and healthy for swimming. To this end, you need to chlorinate the water and manage the pH levels. The pH levels keep the water clear and comfortable for swimming. Managing the pH can also protect the pool and your equipment. Along with that, you also need to chlorinate water to kill germs.
The first step is to check chlorine and pH levels regularly. The general rule of thumb is to test the water once every two weeks. However, you can also test if you believe there is a problem. If there is an issue, you can use various additives to balance the pool pH.
Brush the Walls
Brushing the walls is another important step for maintaining your pool. It can help prevent the build-up of water and mineral deposits on pool walls. You can use pool brushes to clean the walls. However, selecting the right one will depend on the material used for the walls. Most experts recommend cleaning the pool walls at least once a week.
Pool maintenance might require a lot of work, but it is worth it. By following the recommended maintenance, you can keep your pool clean with healthy water for swimming. Along with that, it will protect the structure and parts of the pool.
