Who doesn’t love a nice swim on a hot day? It can be even better when you have a pool at your home. You don’t have to worry about accommodating other people, and you can enjoy the water as you, please.
As nice as it can be to have a pool, it does come with significant responsibilities. Pool safety should be a top priority for any pool owner. Aside from that, there is also a lot of work that goes into caring for a pool.
Some people buy homes with pools or have them installed without realizing how much work they require. It is more than just a large water container. You need to maintain a healthy and safe swimming environment.
What do you need to do to keep your pool in good shape? Read this post for some tips!
Remove Debris From the Water
All sorts of debris will fall into your pool water. You might see a few leaves and some sticks and think it is not a big deal. However, you don’t want to leave this stuff floating in the water. As a start, some debris can upset the balance of your pool’s chemistry. Beyond that, some debris can be a significant issue for the system that circulates the water.
The top tip in this regard is to grab your skimmer and remove the debris when you see it. Most experts would recommend doing this at least once a day. You should also clean the strainer baskets on the pool frequently. This is something you can do about once a week.
Run the Pool Vacuum
Using your skimmer is great, but it won’t get everything. You can’t catch everything that falls into the pool with your skimmer. Some stuff will sink to the bottom. For that stuff, you need your pool vacuum. Most pool owners should run the vacuum at least once a week. If you don’t want to do the work manually, there are automatic pool vacuums. The vacuum can be good for removing dirt, grime, and algae on the pool floor.
Clean Your Pool Filters
Your pool has a system that cycles the water through filters. These filters can trap dirt and other contaminants. They do a lot to maintain clean water and proper chemistry. However, the filters will need occasional cleaning.
For most pools, this is a task that can be done every few months. That said, it can vary depending on a few factors. If you are not skimming and vacuuming your pool as much as you should, you might need to clean the filters sooner. Various environmental factors can also influence how frequently you should clean the filter.
Watch the Water Level
The water level in your pool should stay within a certain range. If it drops too low or fluctuates too much, it can cause problems for the chemistry. Low water can also be an issue if air gets in your pool motor. That is why you need to keep an eye on the water levels.
For most pools, managing the water level is simple. You only lose a little water over time from evaporation. If the problem goes beyond that, your pool might have a leak. Pool leak detection can be time-consuming and difficult. You might be able to do some basic troubleshooting, but some leaks will require professional attention.
Manage Water Chemistry
New pool owners often fail to recognize the importance of pool water chemistry. They think it is just water. The reality is that water chemistry is one of the most important steps in caring for a pool. It not only keeps the water safe and healthy for swimming, but it also protects the pool and its parts. You need to maintain chlorine levels to keep the water clean. Along with that, you need to regularly test the pool’s pH and keep it in balance.
Change Your Pool Water
So many pool owners keep the water in their pools way too long. Skimming, filtering, and chlorine can keep pool water safe for a while, but it eventually needs to be changed. There is only so long the same water can be kept safe and clean. That is true even with the best of efforts.
Most experts would recommend draining and changing the water in your pool at least once every five years. However, depending on various factors, you might want to cut that to every 2-3 years. Some experts might even tell you to drain the pool every year and replace the water.
Clean the Interior
You also need to clean the interior walls of the pool. All sorts of stuff can build up on the interior if you do not clean the walls. This is something you should do once a week or once every two weeks. You can buy long-handled brushes to scrub the walls. There are also cleaning products made for this task. It can do a lot to protect the walls and prevent erosion.
As a final tip, get organized. Many tasks go into caring for a pool. It can be easy to forget steps here and there. If you make a maintenance calendar, it will help keep you on track with caring for your pool.
