There’s nothing quite as nice as a relaxing swim in your pristine pool. Conversely, there’s nothing as frustrating as walking up to your pool for a dip, only to discover it’s filled with slime or has a broken pump! Maintenance problems can easily snowball and take your pool out of service for a long time. But you can avoid this with just a little preventative care. Get in the habit of following these maintenance tips, and you can keep your pool in tip-top shape all summer long.
- Keep the pool filled up – Between evaporation and splashing, it’s easy for your pool to lose water. If the water level gets too low and dips below the skimmer, the pump can get damaged. Check the water level regularly and top it up to avoid this costly repair.
- Keep the water clear of debris – Plant matter that blows in can really foul up the water. Left unchecked, it could sink to the bottom and rot or eventually clog up the skimmers. You can use a telescopic leaf rake to scoop up leaves and other debris from the surface before they have a chance to sink. Regularly emptying the skimmer baskets will also help keep the water circulating easily.
- Clean your filter – You will need to clean your filter regularly as well. Of course, there are lots of different kinds of filters, like sand and diatomaceous earth filters. Follow the guidelines of your particular model for cleaning. Bear in mind that a slightly dirty filter will be more effective than a spotless one.
- Check the pH level – The pH level of your water refers to how acidic or how alkaline the water is. 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. The best level for a healthy swimming pool is right around 7.2 or 7.8. Buy a pH test kit, and use it regularly to maintain the perfect balance in your water.
- Get the water tested – Once in a while, it is good to have the professionals test a sample of your water. They can make sure that everything from chlorine, to stabilizer, to salt are all at the perfect levels for peak performance.
- Brush and Vacuum the pool – Even with diligent skimming and cleaning, some plant debris will still sink to the bottom and algae can still develop along the walls and floor. However, you can keep this buildup at bay with a weekly scrub and vacuuming. Keeping the interior of your pool clean will mean you will need fewer chemicals in the water for a healthier swimming experience.