Keeping your pool clean is the top priority in the summer months. However, keeping the water clean when you have young children or pets in your pool is challenging. You should always keep your pool clean if you want it to be a safe and enjoyable place to spend time. Even though cleaning the pool can sometimes seem to be a tedious task, it doesn’t have to be; following some of these tips can make the job more manageable in the long run.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Pool Clean
For a pool to be functional and enjoyable, it is essential to ensure it is always clean. Keeping the pool clean includes regular cleaning of the pool, filling with fresh water, and maintaining the pH balance. Without proper care, algae will grow in the pool, leading to health problems such as skin irritations and eye irritation. Moreover, building a swimming pool is usually a significant investment, and you will need to keep it clean so that you can actually use it when the sun is shining. So, what are some of the main things you can do to keep your pool in tip-top condition all year round?
Automate the Task!
While everyone enjoys using their pool, not everyone is completely enamored with the idea of keeping it clean. While some do enjoy this task and find it somewhat meditative, others simply want to get it done as quickly as possible so that they can use it again. It can be a serious hassle to get up each morning and break out the pool vacuum to suck up the debris from the previous day. One of the more exciting options you can utilize is a robotic pool cleaner which can do most of the legwork for you. These automated machines work similarly to the more well-known robotic vacuums, except for a swimming pool instead. While you will still need to do some of the tasks yourself (keeping a balanced pH level, changing filters, etc.), these automated machines can dramatically reduce the amount of time you spend on the most monotonous tasks. Some of the more sophisticated ones can even suck up floating debris and map out every area that needs cleaning, including the pool walls.
Check the Water Quality
How well your swimming pool is currently functioning and how good the water quality is will have a significant bearing on what needs to be done to maintain it. Whether you need to clean the filters or install an additional filter, testing the water quality every day will help you keep your pool healthy. It’s vital that you regularly check the water quality in your swimming pool. If you have a chlorinated pool, you must test for chlorine levels and pH levels daily to stay within acceptable ranges. Suppose there are any signs of algae forming in your pool. In that case, it’s best to seek professional advice before taking any drastic measures because doing so can lead to other issues such as corrosion of metal parts in your pool or further damage.
Moreover, with the increased risk of water-borne diseases, ensuring that your swimming pool water is safe is essential. Checking the water quality regularly helps prevent serious health problems. Fortunately, checking the water quality is not that difficult these days as you can often use ready-made testing kits, which will alert you to a broad range of issues.
Keep the Filter Clean
The importance of keeping the water filter clean in your swimming pool is not only to keep the water safe for your family but also to keep you out of a costly repair bill. After all, when you have a dirty filter, the pool has to work harder, and you could end up with decreased filtration levels. Pool filters may operate for years without replacing, making it a simple pool care task to overlook. However, a few indicators indicate that your filter needs to be replaced. If you observe any of the following symptoms, examine your filter for wear and tear and replace it if necessary:
- You need to clean or backwash your pool filter more often than usual
- In order to keep your pool clean, your pool filter needs to run longer
- When you vacuum the pool filter, it clogs easily
- The suction on your skimmer is too weak
- Maintain the correct pH balance is challenging
If you notice these issues, it could signify that you need to replace this item. You will save a great deal of money this way, and they are usually affordable these days.
Stock Up On the Right Chemicals
Chemicals are the key to keeping your pool clean. This is because they remove dirt, debris, and bacteria from the water and help control the pH levels of the water. Chemicals should be used in proportion with how much dirt, debris, and bacteria are in your pool. Therefore, it is best to maintain sufficient stock, ready for use when required.
Get Out Your Tennis Balls!?
Using a tennis ball in your pool may seem strange at first, but it is a great way to keep it clean. To accomplish this, simply toss a tennis ball into your pool and leave it there for a bit. Any oils that find their way into the water of your swimming pool will be absorbed by the tennis ball. Sunscreen lotions, hair care products, and the skin’s natural oils are frequently found in swimming pools. Instead of absorbing these oils, the tennis ball will absorb them, making your pool cleaner.
Keep It Covered When Not In Use
Many homeowners neglect to cover their swimming pools when they are not in use. This can lead to several costly and dangerous problems. Swimming pools are expensive items, and you should never take them for granted. It is best to keep the pool covered during the winter months. By covering it, you’ll keep it safe from the elements, as well as debris that can clog filters and other general detritus that can harm it. The most convenient method is to have a dedicated, automatic pool covering device but failing that, you should at least use a large, durable tarpaulin.
By following the above tips, you’ll have a cleaner pool that you can enjoy more often. As long as you keep a regular schedule, maintenance shouldn’t be too time-consuming. Using an automated cleaner is another great option if you are short on time.
