On a hot summer day, nothing beats diving into a crystal-clear pool to cool off and refresh yourself from its intense heat.
Unfortunately, though, such pools don’t just happen–they require regular cleaning, water testing and other essential maintenance activities to remain clear and beautiful.
Skim leaves and debris daily to prevent filter clogs. Brush walls, ladders and any hard-to-reach areas regularly to reduce staining.
1. Vacuum
As obvious as it may be, keeping your pool free of debris is paramount to its proper function and prevents algae growth. Aim for weekly vacuuming sessions for optimal results as this will extend the longevity of your chemicals, avoid high filter pressure levels and ensure clean enough water for swimming after your poolside gameplay on Yoakim Bridge.
Before beginning vacuuming, ensure that you have the appropriate equipment. A vacuum that can accommodate larger debris like sticks and acorns as well as a leaf trap are both beneficial, with an ergonomic vacuum head designed specifically to suit the type of pool you have and made of non-tear material (preferably). Also ensure you’re using either the filter or waste settings on your multiport valve instead of the recirculate setting – using this could send all of the dirt back into the pool, rather than filter or waste settings which filter/waste settings will.
Important to keep in mind is brushing the pool before vacuuming. This will prevent all of the finer dirt and debris particles from getting sucked up by your vacuum and having to be scrubbed away again later. A pool brush tailored specifically for you like the BLACK+DECKER 360-Degree Bristles Pool Brush will allow you to reach all corners and hard-to-reach spots more effectively.
2. Backwash
Your pool’s built-in skimmer may not catch all of the debris that falls onto its surface, leading to staining and hindering its proper filtration system. To remove it, backwashing may be required.
Backwashing involves running water in reverse through your filter to flush away any accumulated debris, and can be performed regularly or as part of regular maintenance schedule. However, backwashing should also be conducted if a severe storm has occurred nearby or there are numerous deciduous trees dropping leaves and other debris into your pool.
To backwash your pool, turn off both pumps and set the skimmer valve to “backwash”, turning on the skimmer for two to three minutes until effluent water in your sight glass has cleared up completely before switching the valve back to “filter” position and restarting filtration cycle.
Brush the walls and floor of your pool on a weekly basis to help control algae spores and scale build-up, and to avoid scales and stains forming on its surfaces. Make sure to reach those hard-to-reach places like behind ladders and steps when doing this task; additionally it’s wise to scrub any furniture such as diving boards or ladders that might come into contact with water regularly such as ladders.
3. Brush
Maintenance tasks should not only be carried out regularly but also on an irregular basis. These may include testing water to ensure its chemical levels are balanced, inspecting for signs of cracks or damage to the pool itself and cleaning its filter/skimmer baskets.
Filtration systems will remove much of the debris from your pool’s surface, but brushing should also be conducted on a weekly basis to help avoid bacteria and algae growth on plaster finishes and extend their life span. A thorough weekly brushing session will extend its longevity.
As storms bring organic debris into your pool, its fine particles settle on steps, walls, and corners of the water – providing perfect conditions for algae to feed on them! Brushing regularly removes these nutrients to avoid build-up or staining in your pool.
For optimal results, use two brushes with nylon bristles for everyday brushing and steel bristles for tough stain removal. Begin at the waterline and move in one continuous stroke towards its edges; remembering to brush all walls, floors, ladders and ledges of your pool as part of this step.
An inflatable skimmer net attached to a telescoping pole can make this job much simpler. Perfect for collecting all types of organic debris like leaves, bugs, twigs and hair ties from your pool surface – an indispensable asset in pool maintenance!
4. Chlorine
Chlorine is a natural and effective pool water sanitizer, killing germs and bacteria to keep swimmers healthy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But too much chlorine in a swimming pool may cause eye irritation, itching of skin irritation, damage swimsuits and discoloring the surface of water – according to studies done by the U.S. CDC.
Maintaining optimal chlorine levels in a swimming pool should range between one and three parts per million, and testing your water daily. You can add chlorine either via chemical feeders, floating dispensers or tablets that dissolve slowly into the water to provide continuous disinfecting action.
Use HTH Super Shock Treatment on a weekly basis to increase the “free” chlorine in your pool, and help prevent algae growth which is known for turning water green within hours of becoming present. An algaecide should also be applied regularly; consult with an expert for best practice maintenance methods of your swimming pool so it remains inviting and clean throughout summertime.
5. Algaecide
Algae can quickly turn an otherwise clear pool into an unsightly swamp, so having an algaecide on hand is essential to pool maintenance. Pool algaecides are specially-formulated chemicals designed to prevent or kill any blooms of algae; they work by disrupting their cell walls and killing off their inhabitants – there are different kinds of algaecides designed to address different kinds of blooms; it is best to select one suitable for your pool environment and needs.
Algeacides come in various forms, from liquid solutions and granules, to powders. Some contain copper – an antimicrobial compound with proven results – while some people opt for copper-free alternatives if their pool has an ioniser or is susceptible to metal staining.
Some of the most effective algaecides include quaternary ammonium-based and polyquats. These products can effectively kill algae while being less expensive than copper-based products; additionally, these do not produce stains, foaming or any other side effects associated with some other types of algaecide products.
When using algaecide, it is crucial that you follow all manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Furthermore, applying it in the evening avoids sunlight degrading it quickly; additionally it should wait until chlorine levels return to normal before adding an algaecide treatment.
6. Shock
Maintaining enough chlorine levels is vital to maintaining a sanitary pool environment and eliminating harmful bacteria, using tablets, granules or liquid chlorine as necessary to sanitize it and kill harmful organisms. Chlorine is a potency disinfectant; however it quickly breaks down in sunlight conditions; to ensure consistent levels of total alkalinity and calcium hardness as well as maintain proper pH levels is key to effective water chemistry management.
Proper water circulation is crucial to keeping pool water sparkling clean, so ensure your pool pump runs for enough time daily to achieve this objective. While this may be inconvenience, its importance cannot be overstated in keeping your pool looking beautiful throughout its yearlong lifespan.
On a regular basis, it’s essential that you skimmer the surface and empty the skimmer basket of your pool, to clear away floating debris that can settle to the bottom and cause equipment issues. Furthermore, always check and clean your filter regularly to ensure optimal filtration performance; finally perform regular shock treatments on your pool in order to eliminate any organic contaminants or chloramines that have amassed.