An Owner’s Guide to Maintaining Their Swimming Pool
Having a swimming pool means you get to have a vacation whenever you want and right in the comfort of your home. Nothing beats the relaxing feeling of taking a dip during hot days, going for a night swim, and having a pool party in your backyard.
Owning a pool means you have to maintain its cleanliness, as well as the health and functionality of your pumps and filters. Just like a clean home, a sparkling clean swimming pool is favorable for your wellness.
Here are thirteen tips to keep it clean, chemically-balanced, and bacteria-free.
Filter Debris
Clean debris on your pool’s surface by using a long-handled skimmer. If you don’t clear out the fallen leaves, bugs, and other rubbish, they will eventually sink to the bottom, making them harder to take out. After skimming the debris, place a cover over your pool to prevent any unwanted items from falling on your pool surface.
Clean the Pool Filter
Clearing the surface of your pool isn’t enough. Swimming pools have filters that vary from cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth types. While they function differently, all of them need to be cleaned and maintained to keep your pool clear and safe for swimming.
A sure sign that your filter needs cleaning is by checking the pressure gauge and flow meter. Once the meter reaches at least 5 kilograms per square inch, clean it. Don’t wash your filters more than their recommended period. Doing so may damage your filter.
Shock Your Pool the Proper Way
Shocking your pool doesn’t mean to surprise or frighten it. It means to increase the levels of chlorine for a short period of time to eliminate bacteria and foul odors. Also called super chlorinating, shocking your pool once in a while helps keep its water crystal clear. Pool shocking is how public swimming pools, hotels, resorts, and condominium developments like Siena Park Residences maintain their pools’ cleanliness and disinfection.
Limit your pool shocking at night (sun exposure may degrade chlorine levels) or after the pool is used. Frequent shocking may damage your pool’s siding.
Empty the Skimmer Basket
If your swimming pool has built-in skimmer baskets on its sides, clean that out as well. When your skimmer basket is full of leaves, hair, bugs, and other undesirable objects, filtering your pool may take longer, or be futile. Leaving your skimmer baskets full may also damage it, thus dirtying your pool more.
Dump out the contents of your skimmer basket once it fills up with dirt and rubbish. Not only will your pool be clean, but you will prolong the life and purpose of your skimmer baskets.
Check for Chemical Levels
Dirt on your pool isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. It is crucial to check for the alkalinity, acidity, and pH levels once or twice a week, especially if you use it regularly. Use test strips to inspect if your pool is chemically balanced. Adjusts the levels if needed so your pool will be crystal clear and germ-free.
Use Baking Soda
Pool chemicals can be costly. If you want to clean your pool without breaking the bank, use baking soda as a cheaper alternative to pool cleaners. Adding baking soda controls the levels of alkalinity without significantly reducing your pool’s pH levels. Your conventional pool cleaner’s sodium bicarbonate is the same component as baking soda. You get to regulate your pool’s chemistry for cheaper.
Check the Salt-Pool Chlorine Generator
If you have a salt pool or a no-chlorine pool, inspect your chlorine generator if it needs cleaning or repair. The salt in your pool circulating in the generator and salt cell may cause calcium deposits. If the salt cell isn’t cleaned at least once a week or repaired when faulty, the calcium deposits and other dirt may damage the generator and your pool.
Scrub the Walls and Floor
Scrubbing your pool’s walls and floor reduces the algae build-up and salt or chlorine deposits. If your pool’s interior is made of tiles, a brush, muriatic acid, and bleach may be useful in cleaning. If the material is fiberglass, use a softer cleaning brush. Squeaky clean walls and floors means the pool will be free of dirt and bacteria once filled with new water.
Absorb Oils with a Tennis Ball
This tip may sound ridiculous, but the fibers of tennis balls are ideal for absorbing sunscreen, hair products, and the oils from your skin forming sheens on your pool surface. Just pop a tennis ball or two into your pool to clear any layer of oil on the water.
Vacuum the Pool
Vacuum your swimming pool once a week to reduce the volume of pool cleaners and chemicals in the water. Run your pool vacuum on the pool’s surface like how you would vacuum your carpet or floor. Clean out the vacuum filters if necessary for the best cleaning results.
Keep an Eye on the Water Level
Your swimming pool shouldn’t have too much or too little water. If it has little water, it can cause the pumps to dry and burn up. Too much water means your skimmer and filters may not work correctly, leaving debris in your pool and filters.
Add water using a watering hose if your pool’s water level is low or if it is drying up. Cover it during the summer season to prevent it from drying up faster. Drain any excess water manually or with a pump. If the situation calls for extra help, call in a professional. Remember to check for your pool’s chemical levels as changing the amount of water may throw off its chemistry.
“Winterize” Your Pool
Even if you live in an area where temperatures can drop down to zero, it is important to maintain your pool’s health during cold seasons. ‘Winterize” your pool by using an air compressor to blow out excess water from the pipes and pumps. Drain as much water as you can from the filter and heaters. Any remaining water in your pool’s plumbing may freeze and cause damage. It is wise to disconnect your pump, heaters, and generators when your pool is not being used.
Have Leaks Repaired
Find leaks by filling a bucket with water then placing it in your pool. If you notice the water outside has gone down faster than the water inside the bucket, it’s a sure indicator that your pool has leaks. Hire a professional to repair any leaks in your pool as these require more precision and expertise.
Maintaining a pool may not be as easy as it seems. Still, with regular care and by following these thirteen steps, your swimming pool will be pristine and suitable for your next barbecue party, night swim, and staycation.