A swimming pool is a perfect backyard installation, especially during sunny days. However, like other home installations, swimming pools need regular maintenance. While cleaning your swimming pool isn’t an exciting way to start your summer, dipping into the pool only to find metal stains, calcium scales, and murky water is disappointing. Ignoring simple swimming pool issues also leads to pricey repairs and replacements in the future. Below are pool maintenance tips to consider for summer prep.
1. Maintain Constant Chemical Levels
Maintaining your pool’s chemical levels should be a priority on your summer pool maintenance list. Swimming in chemically imbalanced pool water can cause eye and skin irritation. It also makes your pool a perfect breeding ground for many types of bacteria. You should start by stocking all the necessary swimming pool supplies, which include:
- Chlorine – Chlorine eliminates germs and ensures your pool remains clean.
- Cyanuric acid – Maintains chlorine levels by protecting it from sunlight-induced breaking down.
- PH level – Pool water acidity should range between 7.5 and 7.8. This prevents irritation and eroding of pool equipment. Fortunately, you can monitor your pool’s chemical levels using easily-available testing kits.
2. Clean Your Pool Filter
Cleaning your swimming pool’s filter is crucial, as it contributes significantly to a healthy pool. Pool chemistry, circulation, and filtration are the three determinants of a perfect pool. How frequently you should clean or replace the filter depends on pool usage. Consider cleaning it frequently if your kids spend most of their summer break inside water.
Usage aside, you should watch out for specific indicators that show it’s time to clean the filter. Warning signs of a dirty filter include a clogged drain, inefficient hose cleaner, and abnormal odour. Pools with cartridge filters should be cleaned monthly or after four months, depending on usage. If your pool has a diatomaceous filter, disassemble and clean it every six months.
3. Vacuum the Pool for Dirt and Debris
While this may seem obvious, most people stop at skimming pools and cleaning filters. However, clean pool water isn’t a sign of a healthy or perfect pool. Ensuring your pool surface is dirt-free prevents you from contracting bacterial infections. Vacuuming your pool regularly removes debris, dirt, and algae. You should also brush the walls, steps, and floors.
4. Check Water Levels
Checking water levels is another obvious summer pool maintenance tip. Most people often ignore it, but changes in water levels can damage your pool. Low water levels can cause pump problems, while high water levels can impair the normal functioning of the skimmer. Detecting slight changes in water levels might be a problem, but it can change over time due to pool usage or following a heavy storm.
5. Schedule Professional Servicing
While you can complete most pool maintenance, scheduling professional servicing is prudent. You should hire a professional to check on your pool once every year, preferably before summer. Professionals expertly check for normal functioning of the pumps, filters, heating units, and other plumbing issues in your home.
Endnote
Cooling down by the pool is a popular summer activity. However, you can’t enjoy this if your pool isn’t in good shape. Ignoring basic pool maintenance practices renders the pool unsafe to use. It also leads to expensive repairs and replacements.
