- February 13, 2024
- Posted by: Anita Zeba Bakhtiar
- Category: Tips
With Spring just around the corner, it is a known fact that Summer will soon follow. This means that the weather will gradually get warmer, and it will finally be time when you can take a dip in the pool with your family or friends. Before you are looking forward to basking in the cooling pool, follow these tips to ensure that your pool is in tip-top shape:
- Vacuum Your Pool for Dirt and Debris
A simple but obvious solution for maintaining the health of your pool would be to do a basic yet thorough cleaning of the pool to remove any dirt or debris from the surface (or the floor). In terms of hygiene, keeping your pool clean will keep you safe from getting infected. Use a professional pool-cleaning service to get the floor of your pool vacuumed. This can help remove any algae and debris effectively and quickly. In addition, you should also brush the walls of the pool and skim any surface dirt off your pool to make sure it is as clean and germ-free as possible. It is highly recommended that you clean your pool thoroughly at least once every week.
- Check and Maintain the Water Levels
Many people who have their own swimming pools are not aware that the water levels in a swimming pool should not be allowed to rise or fall drastically. This can completely throw off the chemical balance of the water. The water levels also need to be maintained at a constant since otherwise it could also cause the water filters and skimmers of your pool to have more difficulty in keeping your pool clean.
- Regularly Clean the Filter of Your Swimming Pool
Cleaning your pool’s filter is an absolute must for anybody who wants to maintain the pool’s overall wellbeing. The more frequently you use your pool, the more regularly you will need to clean out the filter, be it personally or professionally. There are certain signs that you will need to look out for which will tell you that your filter needs to be changed out. The warning signs to look out for are as follows:
- Abnormal odor from the pool
- Clogged drain
- Inefficient hose cleaner
For those pools that include cartridge filters, depending on the usage, it might need to be changed from anywhere between monthly to every four- six months. However, for a DE (diatomaceous earth) filter, make sure to have it completely disassembled and cleaned every three to six months. Backwashing, which refers to the task of reversing the flow of water through your filter, should also be done monthly in order to partially clean the filter between seasonal full services. This will allow any debris that might have become trapped inside the filter to be dislodged and then safely flushed out.
For those pools that have sand filters, the beginning of the pool season is the best time to refresh the sand. Typically, the sand in these filters should be replaced every three to five years, or when the quality of the water starts to deteriorate. Sand filters also need to be backwashed at least once every month to partially clean any debris from them.
- Check the Water Chemistry
As a homeowner, your top priority in terms of pool maintenance should be to ensure proper water chemistry. Corrosive water, or improper water chemistry, can cause damage to pool surfaces, pool equipment and pool decks. You can get your pool water tested twice a week by a professional pool-cleaning company. You should then pay heed to their instructions, and if need be, make adjustments as per the instructions given.
- Monitor the Chlorine Levels
For the pool water to remain hygienic for use, the chlorine in the water needs to be maintained at a constant level. The best number, according to experts, is 3 parts per million (ppm). You can definitely add in extra tablets after an event, or if you are heading away for a couple of weeks. Once you return and are in or near the pool, if you are not getting a strong smell and itchy eyes, get a home test to make sure that your pool does not have excessively high chlorine levels.
Even though people believe otherwise, chlorine does not immediately kill germs. However, that does not mean that your pool will not need chlorine to be mixed into it. Even pools that are composed of salt water have chlorine in them, since it is the most reliable cleaning solution used in pools everywhere. It is also better than salt water as it will not discolor the surface of your pool, or erode your plumbing.
- Create a Schedule for Cleaning the Pool
Keeping up to date with the maintenance of your pool can be a daunting task. As swimming pools need to be maintained on a regular basis, creating a schedule will ensure that it gets done, no matter what. You can integrate the pool cleaning into your spring/summer cleaning schedule to make sure that it gets done. Consistently getting your pool cleaned can help prevent accidents as well as infections.
The location of your pool, or the frequency of its usage, could call for daily cleaning. The degree of cleaning could vary, from removing fallen leaves or the surface debris from the day. You should pick a day to vacuum and clean the tiles and filter at least once in every season. To make the best of your pool and enjoy it come spring or summer, create a pool cleaning schedule that includes every aspect of maintenance and stick to it. You can also assign help from a professional pool- cleaning company by calling 16604 to book PSM’s pool-cleaning services.