If you live in a warm area, hopefully you’re lucky enough to own your own swimming pool. Many people decide not to install a pool at their home because they think that they will have to do a lot of pool maintenance throughout the year. The truth is that pool services can be done in a short span of time each week, and as a result, you will have a beautiful clean pool all year long. The key thing to remember about pool maintenance is that it must be done regularly. Here are some tips that will help make maintaining your swimming pool easy:
1) If you have a pool deck and notice that there are cracks between the pool and the deck, seal them with clear silicon.
2) Make sure the lint pot in the pump is free of hair and lint. The pump needs to be turned off first before cleaning the pot.
3) Keep an eye on the water level in the pool. Add or remove water when necessary. The level should be around the middle of the skimmer.
4) Keep the pool covered when it is not being used. Not only will a solar cover help to warm the water, it will also keep the pool free of debris, including vegetation and chemicals, such as nitrates that can come from bird droppings.
5) Monitor the pool itself. Check for weak returns, poor water clarity, and to see if the in-floor cleaning system is working properly. If there are any of these problems, the filters will need to be cleaned.
6) Check the chlorinator weekly, and make adjustments as necessary. Make sure it is loaded with the right amount of chlorine tablets.
7) All pool chemicals should be stored in a dark area, and not in direct sunlight. Chlorine and acid should NOT be stored side by side. For pool chemical services it is advised that you contact a local pool service company in your area.
8) Clean the skimmer basket weekly, or more often if necessary.
9) If there is an ozone unit, check regularly to be sure that the light is turned on. Do this by opening the valve a tiny bit at the pump, without breaking any connections. Be sure to check the flow-meter to make sure the adjustment is in the proper range.
10) If you have catalyst tabs, add them as per instructions. These should be stored in an area that is cool and dry.
11) If you have a salt water filtration system, the blades will need to be examined and cleaned monthly. If the flow meter or red flow light is on, it may be a sign that the blades are calcified, and no chlorine is being produced.
12) Monitor the pool water chemistry 2-3 times weekly, and weekly in the winter (unless the water has frozen).
13) Clean the filters after heavy storms, or every few months. Usually every four to six months is sufficient. Dirty filters can be cleaned by soaking them in a 10% solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) or muriatic acid. When using acid, remember to add it to the water and not the other way around, to prevent splashing. Wear protective gloves and eyewear while handling acid, and clean the gloves thoroughly before putting them away.
14) Wipe the pool walls at the water line weekly to keep dirt from building up.
15) If you do not have an ozone system, the pool will need to be shocked weekly. This should be done at night when the pool is not in use, so it is ready to use the following day. If you want to swim immediately after shocking the water, use a shock treatment that is not chlorine-based.
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/grandislepools/5884360263
