Installing a swimming pool in your backyard is not cheap. To protect your investment and avoid unnecessary repair expenses down the line, you must ensure that your pool is well-maintained. But how?
Here are some things that should help you get off on the right foot:
● Check and clean the skimmer basket weekly. You may have to do this more frequently if the pool is often used. Remove all debris so that the basket can do its job efficiently.
● Run your filter for about 6 to 8 hours a day during the summer, and 2 to 4 hours a day during winter.
● Backwash your filter to remove all the debris it has collected. This helps it work more efficiently and lengthen the life of your pool equipment. The frequency will depend on how often you use the pool.
● Vacuum your pool once a week to remove solids from the floor.
● Brush the sides and floor to remove any algae that are starting to build up. They can discolor your tiles and make them slippery as well.
● Check the water level to ensure that your pump is sucking water and not air, which can damage it.
A good swimming pool maintenance routine covers not just the care of your pool, but also the necessary adjustments to the water chemistry to keep it safe for swimming.
Closely monitor these two properties in your pool water:
●
Chlorine Level
- This should not fall under 1ppm or germs and algae will start to grow in your pool. The ideal level is between 1 and 3ppm. It is best to check this every day. It is also advised to shock your pool once a week to break down organic pollution. A shock means bringing your chlorine levels between 6 and 10ppm.
● pH Level
- Ideal reading is between 7.2 and 7.6. This should also be checked every day. If the pH goes above 7.8, you will have a scale buildup, which will lead to problems in your filter and also affect the efficiency of your chlorine. A low pH, on the other hand, will corrode your pipes and rapidly consume the residual chlorine present in the water.
Other water properties to check are the calcium and alkalinity levels. Alkalinity affects the pH of the water, and calcium affects the hardness. A high PPM of calcium leads to cloudy water. You can adjust all of these with chemical testers, just be careful about handling them. Rule of thumb is to add chemicals to water, not the other way around.
Looking For Reliable Pool Maintenance Services?
If you don’t have the time or skills to keep your pool well-maintained, call the pool experts at Water & Pool Solutions, Inc. at
334-264-2700
today. When you call us, you can rest assured that your swimming pool will be in the best possible hands and be serviced by a true pool professional in Montgomery, AL.