The US dominates world charts when it comes to swimming competitions. The recent 2016 Rio Olympics, when the U.S won 33 medals says it all.
Most Americans have pools in their homes. Sadly, most are in the dark when it comes to swimming pool maintenance tips!
Here are a few swimming pool maintenance tips to keep your pool running this summer.
1. Mind Your Water Levels
Water levels in a pool fluctuate quite often. After a torrential downpour, it’ll be more than is required. The water volume can also reduce depending on the people using it.
Usually, the water level should be half the opening of the skimmer. All you’ll do is use a hosepipe to add water to the pool. In case of an overflow, you’ve to invest in a submersible pump.
You’ll put the pump into the pool, and the equipment will help to get rid of excess water. You, however, have to be considerate of the material used to construct your pool. Liner materials, e.g. glass and vinyl, will break in the presence of the pump.
In such instances, consider professional guidance. When the water reaches the desirable level, it’s upon you to counter-check the chemical composition of the water.
2. Keep Pool Filters Clean
The primary purpose of filters is to prevent dirt from finding its way into your pool. This requirement means that the equipment is often stuck with dirt. Cleaning should, therefore, be a daily routine.
Pool filters are available in three categories: I.E., cartridge, sand, and DE filters. If you’ve used a particular type of filter and it doesn’t work, it’s time to shift to another. Sand filters have sand particles that are vital in the filtering process.
The coarse nature of sand is crucial in the filtration process. As a regular maintenance practice, consider backwashing to eliminate the dirt in the filter. The sand can be used for 4-5 years before replacing it.
Cartridges have a fine filter surface bigger than that of sand. The fine filters get rid of impurities. It’s the most effective and requires less maintenance. You may also decide to use detergents to remove excess dirt.
The best practice for cartridges is replacing them in five-year intervals.
DE filters aren’t conventional. You should, however, familiarize with them because you may need them at some point. They are a fine powder that you add to the pumps to help in the filtration process.
The choice of the pool design and filtration system should wholly depend on professional advice. This company will help you have a desirable and effective pool.
3. Have an Annual Appointment in Your Schedule
When you think of acquiring a pool, also think about its maintenance. Usually, a professional touch will be necessary. Consider entrusting one expert with all affairs of your pool.
Checking the condition of the apparatus requires expertise. You should also consider assessing the pool by yourself. The evaluation will give you a rough idea of the areas that need repair.
Never postpone these annual checkups. They’ll go a long way in maintaining the pool. Letting them accumulate will bring more cost implications.
Apart from the annual schedule, have an expert in your speed dial in case of an emergency. Repairing small damages reduce risks that come with technicalities, e.g. leakages.
4. Take Note of the Chemical Levels
The chemical aspect is a vital component in a pool. The lack of balance may bring problems, e.g. bacteria breeding, skin, and eye irritation. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you to check the concentration at least twice a week.
The vital chemical elements are free chlorine, alkalinity, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness. Each of them has a critical role that it plays. E.g., the free chlorine keeps the water safe from germs.
The calcium hardness will help prevent the destruction of the inner lining of the pool. Cyan-uric acid will prevent direct sunlight from hitting the chlorine. Mastering these chemicals won’t be an easy task for you. However, science has simplified it through the testing kits.
Follow the instruction in the kits and adjust the chemical levels appropriately.
If money is a problem, there’s no need to panic. Baking soda can play the same role as these chemicals. The sodium bicarbonate present in baking soda can reduce PH levels significantly.
5. Tennis Balls as One of the Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips
Probably you’ve come across some tennis balls in a pool at some point in life. Well, the balls aren’t there for fun but help in the cleaning of the pool.
More often, when people get into pools, they transfer some oils into them. They may be hair products or natural oils from the body. The presence of oils introduces a slick sheen on the surface of the pool.
The fibers of the ball will absorb the oils, eliminating them from the pool.
6. Regularly Clean the Skimmers
Once you install the skimmer inside the pool, you have to schedule its clean out as well. The tool plays a crucial role in ensuring that the debris doesn’t colonize the pool.
The skimmer collects all unnecessary materials on the surface of the pool. If the pool is near trees, more leaves will drop into the pool. This scenario will require regular cleaning.
Keeping the skimmer clean goes a long way in maintaining its effectiveness.
7. Prior Planning For Winter
Swimming pools are among the most useless things in the winter. It’s upon you to ensure that the pool is safe until summer begins.
Winter preparation begins with the acquisition of a testing kit to check the chemical balance. If it’s in the right condition, consider draining the excess water.
Repair any leaks before closing to keep off dangerous bacteria. In the end, invest in a pool cover to keep it free from debris. Secure the area to prevent animals from making way into the pool.
Invest Wisely!
With this information, there’s no doubt that you’ll do things like an expert. Swimming pool maintenance tips should always be put into consideration before constructing one. Contact us for professional guidance on pools and their maintenance.
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