It’s great for people to have a pool in their house as it offers them the freedom to take a dip anytime. A well-maintained pool also enhances the value of a property. However, pool owners need to take care of their pool to maintain them throughout the year.
From skimming the water to scrubbing the walls and adding chemicals, there are plenty of things you need to take care. This post shares some pool maintenance tips that every pool owner needs to follow.
Skimming the water surface
Leaves and debris enters the pool from the surface of the water. Pool owners need to skim their pools regularly to avoid the debris from sinking to the bottom. Although it is not possible to prevent every minute particle from sinking, you can skim the leaves and other debris every day to keep your pool clean. You can use a long handles skimmer net to skim the surface of the water at least once a day.
Clean the skimmer basket
There is a skimmer basket at the side of every pool whose function is to skim the debris from the water. As it catches the leaves and debris from the water, it might get clogged if not cleaned for a long time. Therefore, it is essential to clean the debris from the skimmer basket. You can open the basket and wash it using a garden hose and cleaning brush.
Scrubbing the sides
Debris and algae begin to deposit on the sides of the pool over time. Although you don’t need scrubbing as regular as skimming, it is essential to scrub the sides after every two weeks. Every week pool owners should look for any growth of gypsum or algae on the sides and scrub them as required.
Clean the pool filter
A pool filter is responsible for removing impurities from the water. It removes the leaves, dirt, debris, and small toys. The dust and debris can clog your pool filter due to which you should clean it regularly. To clean the pool filter, you need to remove the filter cap and lift the filter basket. Then you can clean the debris by using a brush and soap solution. After removing the debris and washing the filter, you should put back the filter basket and also the filter cap. Pool owners should clean the filter basket every week.
The pipes of your filter system also need cleaning that you can do by backwashing. You can set your system to backwash and remove the leaf basket for cleaning. Then turn on the pool pump and allow it to run until clean water comes out of the waste pipe. The process is known as backwashing. If your filter has a timer, set it to run your filter at least six hours every day.
Pool chemistry
Pool owners need to add several chemicals to their pools to kill the bacteria and microorganisms in water. Every pool owner needs to check the water at least once every week. There are six chemicals that you need to check and consider adding to your pool.
Chlorine – Chlorine acts as a sanitizer that kills the bacteria and other microorganisms in water.
Cyanuric Acid – It is added to protect the chlorine from the sun and check the required levels of chlorine. Adding 30 to 50 units of Cyanuric acid is ideal reading for outdoor pools.
Acidity or Alkalinity – It is also known as the pH level of pool water. You should keep the acidity between 7.5 and 7.8. It protects the swimmers from skin irritation.
Total Alkalinity – It keeps the pH of pool water in balance. The level of total alkalinity should always be between 60 and 120.
Calcium Hardness – The correct levels of calcium hardness protects the plaster from damage. Its level should always be between 220 to 350 for concrete pools and a bit lower for vinyl liners.
These are the approximate values of chemicals that are required to maintain the chemistry of pool water. There are testing kits available in the local pool stores. You can get one from a store to check your pool chemistry. However, new owners should consult a pool maintenance professional to know the precise levels for their pool.
Check the water level
The water level in your pool should always be halfway up the opening of the skimmer. In case the water level is low fill it up, and in case it is low, remove some water using the pump. ONGA pool pumps are the best quality of water pumps in Queensland.
Final Words
These are some pool maintenance tips for all pool owners. Maintaining the water level, chemicals, and cleaning the water is essential to maintain your pool. Moreover, you should also check the working of pool equipment every three months to keep them in good condition at all times. Following these Pool maintenance tips can help you keep your pool refreshing and sparkling clean.
