Your Quick Pool Guide for Maintenance Essentials

Keeping a home pool isn’t always fun. Pools require consistent and constant maintenance to prevent the water from becoming stale, green, and filthy. While no two pools are the same, their maintenance requirements are typically similar. We will focus on the essential maintenance steps every pool owner should practice.

Filtration and pump maintenance

The pump and pipeworks keep the water from stagnating and blooming with algae and bacteria. The filtration system stops debris from contaminating the pool and tucks it away from view. However, these systems are not invincible and require a bit of upkeep.

Owners need to have a consistent pump schedule since it’s challenging or sometimes just impossible to keep a home pool pump running permanently. For best results, run the pump system for at least eight hours each day, preferably longer.

The filter system needs to be checked and maintained regularly to allow proper water flow into the pump. A clogged filter not only lets debris stay in the pool for longer but also forces the pump to work overtime, which can damage it and incur costly repairs. The same principle applies to the pool skimmer. Check whether the water level reaches the skimmer and clean it periodically to keep it working.

Pool cleaning

While the pump system keeps the water clean and fresh, not all debris gets caught by the filter and skimmer. Pool cleaning comes in many forms, ranging from daily skimming to weekly vacuuming and brushing.

When brushing and cleaning the pool liner or surrounding tiles, apply the appropriate cleaning solution to hasten the process. Baking soda will perform well for some liners, but others will require more specialized solutions owners can purchase at the store.

Consider investing in an automated pool cleaner for a larger or deeper pool if pool cleaning becomes a hassle. It doesn’t do the job perfectly but provides the necessary relief from regular chores and grants the family more downtime to enjoy the pool rather than cleaning it.

Maintaining the proper chemical balance

For safe swimming, pool chemistry is vital. Several chemical balance factors must be considered, including sanitizers like chlorine and bromine, the pH level, calcium deposits, and alkalinity.

Each chemical has an acceptable level depending on the pool liner and type, while some are universal values. The pH level needs to stay between 7.2 and 7.6 to keep it safe for use. The acceptable amount of free chlorine in a pool ranges from 1 to 4 ppm, with values between 2 and 3 ppm preferable for everyday use.

Hire the pool experts!

If maintaining your pool sounds like too much of a chore, or you have a complicated pool system that requires care and finesse, consider consulting a professional pool maintenance service. A contractor can schedule regular cleaning and periodic checkups to ensure your pool remains in perfect condition throughout the seasons.

Dog Days Pool Service is a pool service company serving Clearwater, Safety Harbor, and all surrounding areas. We offer pool cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting and more and would love to hear from you! (727) 791-6012