This year, the summer heat is a bit overwhelming. That is why; more people are going to install a pool in their backyards.
But one critical element of pool ownership is often forgotten, that is the maintenance. Maintaining the pool does require a certain amount of work, but it doesn’t need to be a burden. Preventative maintenance goes a long way in increasing the lifespan of your pool.
Heed the tips below to save you time, money & hassle, and get rid of problems like murky water, broken pumps, green water, algae, etc.
Skimming & Scrubbing of Pools
Skimming the leaves and garbage off of the surface of the pool water is an easy task, but it bears repetition. Skimming should be done regularly to give your pool a prestigious look.
You can also use a long shaft with a net known as a hand skimmer to skim leaves, bugs, and unwanted stuff from the water surface.
Besides skimming, scrubbing the sides of the pools will prevent algae build-up. Scrubbing should be done one time every week. And for those stubborn spots, take an old sock, fill it with chlorine and put it on the spot for a few hours and scrub one more time.
Filter Cleaning is Necessary
Just like kidneys work consistently to remove impurities from the body, the pool filters work in the same way. It helps to remove dirt, leaves, and even small toys from the pool.
You can clean your filter by merely turning it off, remove the filter cap, lift the filter basket, and clean any unwanted item stuck in it. It should be done once in two weeks.
You can also clean the filter system pipes once in a month, which can be quickly done by backwashing. Set your filter to backwash and remove the leaf basket followed by intense cleaning. Then turn on your pump and let the water run until the waste pipe ejects clear water.
Pools Require Specific Chemical Levels
A well-maintained level of chemicals used in pools is undoubtedly an important thing. Imbalanced levels can raise issues like murky water, skin & eye irritation, and become a house of many bacteria. A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), consider these six chemical levels:
- Cyanuric Acid – Ideal reading for outdoor pools is 30- 50.
- Chlorine – It keeps the pool water safe and germfree and should range between 1-1.5 ppm.
- Acidity/Alkalinity – It is the pH level of the pool; acidity should be between 7.5 and 7.8 to prevent skin irritation and erosion of pool equipment.
- Total Alkalinity – Alkalinity levels should be between 60-120 ppm to balance the pH value of water.
- Calcium Hardness – To prevent plaster damage, calcium needs to be between 220-350 ppm, but lower for pools with vinyl siding.
Consider these chemical levels for your pool.
Schedule an Annual Service Appointment
Sometimes it is essential to trust a professional, especially when we are talking about the pool’s mechanical equipment, such as pumps, filters, heating systems, etc. Only experts have the technical knowledge about the pool’s automated system.
Even if your pool is perfectly fine, it is still necessary to have an annual service appointment. It is because some issues are minor and non-detectable today can become huge crises tomorrow.
A heads-up: There are various retailers of pool pumps Brisbane if your pump is beyond repair.
An Alternative for Expensive Chemicals
Undoubtedly, the pool chemicals can be costly for some of you, so why not try using basic things for your pool? Let’s say a Baking Soda!
Sodium Bicarbonate can be used to control the alkalinity levels of the pool without affecting the pH levels. It is observed that Baking Soda does the same task. Baking soda has the same amount of sodium Bicarbonate as the solutions, so the amount you’d need to add to your water would be similar.
Sometimes Shocking your Cloudy Pool is Mandatory
While shocking sounds like a public pool thing, but it is occasionally necessary for private pools as well. Suppose you had a pool party in your backyard last night and now the water has become murkier than before. You must get rid of this murkiness.
Shocking involves raising the levels of chlorine (let’s say four to five times more than usual) for a short period to kill all the bacteria present in the pool. To not let shocking damage your pool sides, do it only twice every season.
Final Words
As enjoyable as it is to spend long afternoons in a pool, it is even more joy to maintain your pool. It gives you a piece of self-satisfaction. The tips given in the above article are quick do-it-yourself practices you can follow to keep your pool clean, durable, and healthy.
