Having a swimming pool in your back yard brings a ton of enjoyment, relaxation, and quality family time. Unfortunately, the fun comes at a price. One crucial element of pool ownership is maintenance. You cannot have fun without pool maintenance. Besides being unsightly, A dirty pool can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Below are 7 swimming pool maintenance tips to keep you happily swimming all year long.
POOL MAINTENANCE TIPS & TRICKS
- Check Pool Chemistry
You should check your pool chemicals 2x a week. Testing your pool water is simple. Testing kits are readily available from your local pool store or online. Improperly balanced water looks murky, irritates skin & eyes, and can cause your pool to become a breeding ground for bacteria.
pH should be between 7.2 – 7.6
Alkalinity 100 -120 ppm
Total Hardness 200 – 400 ppm
Cyanuric Acid 30 – 50 ppm
Free Chlorine 1.0 -1.5 ppm - Skimming & Scrubbing
Skim the top of the pool surface as well as rinse out the skimmer basket(s). Skimming should be done daily in order to keep unwanted debris out of the pool (leaves, grass, mulch, etc.). Along with skimming, you need to scrub. Scrub your pool tiles to prevent algae buildup.
- Clean Pool Filters
Pool filters are the “kidneys” of your swimming pool. Clean your pool filters regularly or as needed. They should also be cleaned after a heavy storm.
- Keep An Eye On Your Water Level
Your pool water level should not be too high or too low. Water levels will naturally fluctuate after a heavy rainstorm or an afternoon of kids doing cannonballs. Your pool water should be right at the center level of your pool skimmer for best results. If the water is too low it can run the pump dry and burn it up. If the water is too high your skimmer door will not work properly.
- Tennis Balls Are Great For Your Pool
Use a tennis ball to absorb oils, sunscreens, hair product etc. Just simply toss a tennis ball into your pool and let it do the work. Tennis ball fibers help reduce that slick sheen on top of your pool water.
- Shock Your Pool
Don’t be afraid to shock your pool if it looks like it needs it. Did you just have a pool party or did your dogs swim in your pool? Is your pool murky and clouded? That is bacteria that you will want to get rid of as soon as possible. Shocking drastically raises the chlorine levels for a short period of time to kill bacteria.
- Power Wash Your Pool Deck
Pressure washing will help get rid of any rust or weather stains that occur over time. The area that surrounds your pool is as important as your pool itself. A dirty pool deck means a dirty pool. Dirty pool decks track dirt, algae spores, & bacteria right into the pool.