Regular swimming pool maintenance is an absolute must if you want to have a consistently crystal clear swimming pool that you can enjoy all season, or year round. There are some pool maintenance jobs that need to be done every day, and other tasks that should be done weekly. There are also some seasonal maintenance checks.
All of these pool maintenance jobs, when done regularly will ensure you can have a fully functioning and fun swimming pool when you require it. You can find all the tools and equipment you need to maintain your pool in many online stores.
Equipment for maintaining swimming pools help keep the pool clean and clear. Pool manufacturers recommend the regular use of specific tools to keep the water safe for swimming. Without proper maintenance, swimming pools can become dirty or contaminated. Sometimes this can happen very quickly.
Some of the things you’ll need to keep the pool clean include a pool filter, vacuum, and skimmer. Chlorine tablets prevent the growth of algae that can turn the water cloudy or greenish. To maintain an in-ground swimming pool, you will also need some pumice stones and brushes to clean the tiles.
Daily Swimming Pool Maintenance Tasks
- Run the pool filter at least 8 hours a day, or as recommended by the manufacturer. It is best, however, to keep the filter running 24 hours a day.
- Use a pool skimmer to remove floating leaves and debris. Empty your skimmer baskets and clear them of leaves and debris.
- Add chlorine to the pool daily. You can use a chlorine floater with chlorine tablets inside. You can also place slow-dissolving chlorine tablets in the skimmers or filter once a week.
Weekly Tasks – Swimming Pool Maintenance
- Vacuum the pool to remove dirt from the bottom. Pool vacuums come in automatic or manual models.
- Use a brush or pumice stone to scrub the tiles along the waterline. This is where deposits tend to form.
- Swimming pool maintenance experts recommend adding a dose of Algae Preventative to discourage the growth of algae.
- Use a pool cover if the pool will not be used for an extended period of time.
Maintaining Your Pool Equipment
Check your pool maintenance equipment regularly to make sure they are in good working condition and to correct small problems before they get worse. Clean out the swimming pool’s skimmer basket and empty the contents into a trash bag.
Open and clean out the pump strainer basket. After cleaning the skimmer and strainer basket, check the filter and see if it also needs cleaning. You may also have to replace the filter. It’s important to check the condition of the machinery and pool equipment on a monthly basis.
Testing The Water of The Swimming Pool
You should test the swimming pool water every two to three weeks. The water’s pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.9 to keep it clean and clear and safe for users of the swimming pool.
Water test strips will show the levels of chlorine and pH level in the pool. Free available chlorine level should be at 1.0-3.0 ppm. If the chemical levels are not maintained, algae can grow. This can lead to water that appears cloudy, green, black or brown.
It is vital to follow these basic pool maintenance tasks to keep your pool ready for swimming. Proper and regular maintenance is the only way to keep your swimming pool crystal clear.
Swimming Pool Chemicals Beginner’s Guide
Maintaining the proper water chemistry of your swimming pool is just as important (if not even more) as keeping it clean of visible dirt, leaves, and other debris. If you are in the process of buying your first swimming pool, this article will help you understanding what chemicals go into your swimming pool and why. The right balance of chemicals keeps your pool water safe and clean for swimmers.
There are several pool chemicals used to maintain the proper water chemistry of your swimming pool, including sanitizers, algaecides, shocks, balancers and stabilizers. The right combination of them can result in a clean water, but it’s important to use them the proper way. an imbalance can have negative impact on the health of swimmers, and can also harm your filtering, pumping, and heating system.
It’s not enough for your pool to look crystal clear. The pH level must also be maintained between 7.4 and 7.6. Lower or higher pH levels can lead to eye and skin irritation as well as corrosion to the filter system.
Sanitizers
Chlorine is the most popular swimming pool chemical used to kill pathogens in the water. It can be purchased in the form of tablets, liquid or powder. Chlorine is added to the water as calcium hypochlorite (a solid) or sodium hypochlorite (a liquid). The compound reacts with water to form a variety of chemicals, including hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid sanitizes the pool by killing bacteria and other pathogens.
Chlorine can be added directly to the water using a chemical feeder. Chlorine tablets can also be placed in skimmer boxes to provide a steady supply of chlorine.
Bromine is another type of swimming pool chemical used as a sanitizer. It is similar to chlorine but has a less penetrating smell.
Algaecides
Algae make your pool water look cloudy, green or brown. Algaecides destroy and prevent algae from growing. This swimming pool chemical can be purchased in tablet or liquid form.
Shocks
Shocks are high doses of swimming pool chemicals. They are normally used after your pool has been active for a significant amount of time. Shocks are also used periodically throughout the swimming season to disinfect the pool, kill algae, clear out organic matter and get rid of chloramines which irritate the skin and eyes.
Balancers
Balancers are swimming pool chemicals that increase or reduce the pH level to maintain the proper acidity and alkalinity of the pool. Soda ash, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are used to raise the pH level. Muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate lower the pH level and make the water more acidic.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are important in swimming pools that use a chlorine-based sanitization system. These swimming pool chemicals enhance the effectiveness of chlorine and help to make the chlorine levels last that bit longer before requiring top ups.
Many companies now offer swimming pool chemical kits that include all products you will need to keep your pool clean. Special kits can also be purchased for the treatments you will need at the start and end of the pool season. One of the best ways to buy your swimming pool chemicals is to buy in bulk online from leading pool supply companies. Usually you can get some great deals, with free shipping thrown in and you will have enough chemicals to get you right through the swimming season, and then some.
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Hope that these swimming pool maintenance tips above will help you to get what to do with your pool. Try to pay a little attention to your pool everyday or at least every week and then you will have a great pool to enjoy. If you have any question about taking of swimming pool, feel free to ask Swim-City by leaving a comment below.