Your swimming pool is not only one of the largest investments you’ll make as a homeowner, but it offers your friends and family hours of summertime fun. Because of this, it’s important to make sure that your pool is in top shape throughout the warm months. Here are some things you can do to keep your pool attractive and healthy.
Skimming, Brushing and Vacuuming
Skimming your pool takes debris such as fallen leaves and twigs from the surface of the water. You’ll need a leaf rake or a net to do this. Use your pool brush to get rid of algae and stains that tend to congregate on pool ladders, steps, coping and other places. A pool vacuum takes up debris from the bottom of your pool.
Checking Chemical Levels
The chemicals you add to your swimming pool are supposed to be in balance. If they’re not, it can lead to damage to the pool’s shell and its equipment. Chemical imbalance can also foster the growth of algae and bacteria and make the water look simply unattractive. Fortunately, testing your pool’s chemicals is easy, and you can buy test strips or test kits at any pool shop. Here are things to check:
- The pool’s pH. Ideally, the pH should be 7.5.
- How alkaline the water is. The water’s alkalinity should range between 120 to 150 parts per million.
- The pool’s calcium hardness. This reading should be between 200 and 400 ppm.
Cleaning the Filter
Cleaning the filter makes sure that it works to clear dirt and debris out of your pool. A clogged filter won’t work the way it should and can have a shortened working life. All you have to do is turn off the power to the pump, open the filter valves and take it from the tank. Then, take out the cartridge, inspect it, then use your garden hose to flush the debris out of it
Check Chlorine Levels
The chlorine level in your pool needs to be stable so it can destroy bacteria, discourage algae, and keep the water clean. You’ll need to consult with your pool contractor to see how much chlorine is needed to keep the water crystal clear, though the range is usually 1 to 3 ppm. You can add chlorine as tablets, granules or liquid. Add chlorine directly into the water or put it in a chlorinator, dispenser or skimmer basket.
One easy way to make sure that your pool maintenance tasks are seen to is to simply put them on a summer schedule. Add the schedule to your device, write it down in a date book or draw up a calendar, and magnet it to your fridge. Professionals recommend cleaning your pool once a week or maybe more if you use it a lot, testing its chemistry once or twice a week and shocking it, or adding more than the usual amount of sanitizer to it, every other week.
Conclusion
Cleaning your pool, including the filter, making sure that chemicals are balanced and that there’s a good level of chlorine or other sanitizer are easy to do. These maintenance tasks make sure your pool is attractive and immaculate and keep it and its accessories working for years to come.
