How To Care For Your Pool

It is important to take care of your pool by keeping it clean and well maintained. As well as being expensive to put in they also add considerable value to your property so it pays to look after it. Caring for your pool can also stop swimmers from becoming ill, as bacteria and algae can build up in the water if it is not kept cleaned and if chemicals are not kept at the correct levels. You also need to look after other equipment, such as your pool pump, the filter and the heater.

Keep it clean

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Obvious pool maintenance is keeping it clean, and this will help stop the build up of algae. You will need to vacuum the floor regularly, although manual vacuums can be quite labour intensive so you might want to purchase an automatic one. You will find, however, that automatic vacuums sometimes have trouble reaching the corners, so you might need to follow up with a manual one. You will need to remove leaves and other debris from the filter because it will become clogged and not run efficiently, so check the skimmer and the pump regularly. Removing the debris will also increase the suction of the filter. It will help to maintain the garden around your pool to decrease the amount of leaves falling in the water, so cut back any over hanging trees.

Chemicals

It is really important to ensure that the chemical levels of your pool are balanced. You will need to test the levels regularly, particularly in summer, but by doing so you will save yourself the effort of extra cleaning later. You will find that a significant amount of chemicals are needed to keep the levels correct and maintain a balanced pH level. The levels should be tested twice a week and the filter should be run for around six hours a day to ensure that the chemicals are circulated through the water properly. It is also a good idea to use only quality chemicals and buy a test kit so you can do it yourself.

General care

As well as keeping it clean and having the chemicals balanced you will need to routinely check for any cracks and leaks. Make sure the pool's fencing is not damaged and still meets the required safety standards. Check that any other equipment is not broken or damaged, and is working properly, such as the pump or filter. Any parts of equipment made from plastic can become brittle over time when exposed to the weather, so check these and replace any that are broken. If the pump or filter seems too noisy then have a maintenance person come and repair it. You can help care for your pool by having a cover fitted, and this will keep out the leaves and other debris and help save on cleaning time. Check the heater is working properly, and if you have panels or hoses on your roof as part of the heating system, check these are not damaged in any way.

How To Care For Your Pool

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