Pool Maintenance – What You Need to Know
Almost everybody loves the water. This is one of the reasons why a lot of people invest in building their very own pools in their residences. There is just something about pools and water that is associated with rest, relaxation and good health.
But what good is a pool if it does not look pleasant to swim in? The key to getting pristine waters to swim in is a regular and effective pool maintenance routine. Neglecting even the most trivial problems can escalate to a costly and detrimental situation. Here are some things to remember for proper pool maintenance.
Table of Contents
Efficient Steps to A Clean, Healthy Looking Pool
Manage Debris and Have Strategic Trash Baskets
It is good to always have a hand skimmer available. This long-handled net designed to strain and get rid of bugs, leaves and other foreign objects floating in the pool works like magic. Make it a habit to skim the surface of the pool daily to prevent debris from sinking and settling under.
This effectively facilitates good pool circulation and lessens the need for chemical treatment. Keeping trash baskets in strategic locations near the pool can save you time and energy. Plus, it facilitates easier emptying and cleaning out.
Make It A Habit to Clean the Pool’s Filter
When the difference between the flow meter and the pressure gauge falls 10 to 15 pounds per square inch, it is an indication that you need to have all the filters cleaned out as soon as possible. There are three types of filters found in the pool and these are the diatomaceous earth, sand and cartridge.
Periodic cleaning is recommended to prevent clogging and ineffective filtration. But do remember that cleaning the filters too frequently can hinder it too. A bit of dirt can help trap debris from coming in, however, too much of it can be bad too. So, try to find the balance and set a schedule for filter cleaning.
Mind the Pool Walls and Tile
There are a lot of pool cleaning equipment sold in the market. A pool vacuum will come in handy as it is essential to vacuum the pool on a weekly basis to keep the water clear. Apart from this, it would be good to do some wall and tile brushing too.
Performing these tasks on a weekly basis can prevent and lessen calcium deposit and algae build up. A tip to keep the effectiveness of this would be to get the right cleaning materials. Check out what the build of your pool responds to and decide which cleaning equipment you are to purchase from there.
Water Level Checking and Maintenance is Important
If you think checking and maintaining your pool’s water level does nothing, better think again. There are a lot of instances where your pool loses water. It can be through evaporation, cleaning or the normal wear and tear.
When this happens, the water level of your pool decreases and may result in a slight to severe damage to the pumps. Emptying the pool is sometimes necessary, but make sure not to let it stay empty for a long time to prevent pump problems.
Get Professional Help for Your Heater
There are certain tasks that do not require professional services and some examples would be basic cleaning and skimming. However, it is important that you get the right people to do complex work to spare you from more problematic situations.
Gas and electric heaters do not require frequent maintenance, but they do need periodic maintenance to work properly. The best way to keep these things running for a longer time would be to have professionals do its maintenance.
Shock Your Water with Chlorine
While it is normal to treat pools with chlorine, some organic contaminants such as nitrogen and ammonia can build up over time. When this becomes too much, it can have an interaction with chlorine and form chloramines as a result. This results in the unpleasant odor that you usually smell in pools.
To get rid of this, you may need to perform super chlorination. This is the process of adding huge doses of chlorine. This eliminates the order and can be done once in a week. Consult with professionals on how to perform this for better results.
Conclusion
Pool maintenance is not a walk in the park. However, small and regular efforts can make your overall maintenance work lighter. You can have clear and good quality pool water to swim in if you do not let small problems build up.
Do regular checking and perform proactive measures to prevent problem development. If problems do develop, make sure to address them immediately. This will spare you from spending an arm and a leg in having them fixed.
Keep these tips in mind and if you have not been doing these for the longest time, now is a good time to start. Say goodbye to foul smelling murky waters and say hello to clearer, good smelling pool water.