There’s nothing quite like taking a refreshing dip in your pool on a hot summer day. However, without proper maintenance, you may be swimming in quite a bit of algae, bacteria, and other unsanitary conditions. Gross!
Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need extensive pool maintenance knowledge to keep your pool in decent swimming condition. All you need to remember is the 3 C’s: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry. Take a look at our quick guide for pool maintenance below!
It’s important to keep the water in your pool circulating in order to prevent stagnation. Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and algae. If you want to keep the water moving, you’ll need to run your pump everyday. If you have an automatic cleaner, you’ll want to make sure that it runs for at least two hours a day as well.
You’ll also need to clean the skimmer basket. This is the basket that catches leaves and other debris that fall into your pool. It’s important to clean it out so that the water can flow freely and the pump doesn’t get clogged.
Backwashing refers to reversing the water flow through the filter and shunting the dirt and debris to the waste port so it gets out of the pool. Those using a cartridge filter will just need to give it a good clean.
Use a pool brush to scrub the walls. This helps prevent staining, scaling, and algae.
Get the large debris out of your pool by using a net or leaf rake to skim its surface. No one wants to swim in that!
Another excellent way of removing debris is vacuuming your pool. Just attach a vacuum head, pole, and hose to your skimmer through a vacuum plate, and go for it!
Note: You can significantly cut down on your cleaning time by purchasing an automatic pool cleaner.
Consider purchasing a test kit for a quick and easy way to see if you need to add any more chemicals to your pool. Here are some of the ranges you should be looking for:
Are you aware of “shocking”? This refers to adding chlorine or other pool chemicals to your water to help destroy contaminants. It’s also great for keeping your water clear and getting rid of any excessive chlorine odors.
The most important thing to remember when shocking your pool is to do it at night. This is because the sun’s UV rays can eliminate the chlorine in your water before it has had the chance to take effect. While you should aim to do this at least a couple of times a month, it’s especially important to do it after a big storm, spill or contamination, or algae breakout.
Need some help with pool maintenance? Contact Clark Pools and Spas today to discuss your needs!
