The Easy Pool Maintenance Guide
One of the main reasons that homeowners dont want to install a pool on their property
is the extensive maintenance that goes along with owning your own pool. In fact, if you have never owned a pool, keeping one in good working order can seem like a huge task. It doesnt have to be that way though. When it comes to pool maintenance, being regular and consistent is the easiest way to go.
Whether you want to handle pool problems by yourself or want to have a pool maintenance person on speed dial, there are several things that you can do to keep your pool in great condition year round.
Swim Season Has Begun
When you winterize your pool effectively, there are just a few things that you need to do to reopen your pool for the swim season. Before removing the pool cover, clean the area around the pool to prevent leaves and other dirt from making its way into the pool. Then, remove the pool cover, fill the pool and reconnect all of the parts that you disconnected during winterization. After you test the pH level of your newly opened pool it is time to shock it. Your pool should be ready to use in about a week after reopening and the fun can begin.
Regularly Skim Your Pools Surface
One of the quickest and easiest ways to keep your pool maintenance demands to a minimum is by skimming the surface of your pool. Anything that is floating on the top of your pool is bound to sink to the bottom eventually, where it is much more difficult to remove. Skimming the surface of your pool every other day or so can keep your pool running more efficiently. Also, cleaning out the strainer baskets in your pool can help keep the need for chlorine to a minimum.
Vacuum Your Pool
No matter how much you skim the surface of your pool the need to vacuum your pool regularly will not go away. About once a week, you should plan to vacuum your pool thoroughly. Follow the instructions given for the type of vacuum and pool that you have to ensure the best quality clean.
Pool Filter Cleaning
Whatever type of pool and filter you have (types of filters include cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth), cleaning your filter is a necessary step in pool maintenance. Follow the instructions that came with you filter closely, because cleaning your filter more often than required can actually make it less efficient. A small amount of build up in your filter can actually serve to catch other debris and larger pieces of dirt better than a completely clean filter. So, follow the instructions for when and how to clean your filter closely.
Water Level Maintenance
The level of water in your pool is important. Throughout the swimming season, water finds its way out of your pool in lots of different ways. Weekly check the level of your water in your pool to make sure that it does not fall below the skimmer. If the water level falls too low damage can occur to the pump. When the water level is low, simply use a garden hose to return the level to normal. Also, make sure that you never let your pool sit empty of water for too long as this can also cause damage to the structure from the weight of the ground around the pool pushing in on the pool that normally has water weight to counteract this pressure.
Ensure Proper pH Level
This is one of those parts of pool maintenance that intimidates many people who have never done it before. However, it is not as complicated or as scientifically challenging as it might sound. The ideal pH level for your pool is around 7.5. You can buy testing kits to use on your pool that involve either adding chemicals to a pool sample or dipping a test strip in a pool sample and then checking the color of the sample against a chart.
Shock Your Pool
Every now and then your pool needs to be shocked to keep contaminants from building up. This is done by adding a large amount of chlorine to your pool. Believe it or not, one of the ways that you can tell that your pool needs to be shocked is when it starts to give off the pungent chlorine odor associated with pools. This odor is due to contaminants that have mixed with the chlorine and need to be eliminated by adding more chlorine. Your pool comes with instructions on how much chlorine to add and how to properly maintain your pool during a shock.
Keep an Eye Out for Leaks
It may seem impossible to tell if your pools low water level is due to leaking, evaporation or just regular use. However, it is important to take a few extra steps to find the cause of your low water level in case you are experiencing a leak. A simple test can help you determine if evaporation is the culprit to your low water levels. Fill a bucket almost full of water, marking the water line on the inside and outside, after placing it in the pool, and let it float in your pool for a few days. When you check the water in the bucket, if it has gone down less than the pool water then you may have a leak that needs to be fixed. To repair leaks, call a professional.
Finally, Winterize
When the last warm days are behind you and all the splashing fun is over for the season, it is time to protect your pool for the winter. This is necessary if you live in a climate where temperatures fall below freezing. There are many parts associated with your pool that have water in them that can freeze. With the use of an air compressor, flush out the plumbing system of your pool. Disconnect all components and thoroughly clean your pool. Then, shock and cover your pool for the winter. Then your pool will be ready to use when warm weather returns.
by: Northernriverspools
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