Swimming pools can turn into an absolute nightmare if you fail to take pool maintenance and cleaning seriously. Cleaning your pool may sound like a boring job but it is an essential task if you want to keep your swimming pool from turning into a cesspool. You will have to follow a maintenance schedule to ensure that the pool water is hygienic and safe for all users.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Pool cleaning
Before you decide to clean your pool you must first find out if it needs cleaning or not. From the color and the smell of the water, you can tell if your filters need cleaning. Running a few tests like the water hardness test and the chlorine test is important. This will give you pointers as to what must be immediately taken care of and what can be tackled on another day.
A pool cover serves to protect the water from contaminants such as dry leaves and dust. A retractable pool cover (with or without an automatic function) is the best option to have. It also acts as a safety feature as it can prevent small children or pets from falling in.
It is a better idea to prevent algae and other hydro organic growth from manifesting itself rather than having to get rid of it once it has started to take over your pool. In such cases where the growth has gone out of hand, you need to drain the pool and scrub it down with a bleach solution. It is a time consuming process and an expensive one if you decide to hire a professional to do it.
Checking the filters
The filtration system is a very important aspect of swimming pools. You need to check the filters at least twice a week to ensure that they haven't clogged up. A clogged filtration system will lead to the accumulation of organic matter which may end up ruining the pool water and causing skin diseases. There are three basic types of filters: sand filters, pleated filament cartridge filter and Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters. DE filters are the most expensive but are very efficient at keeping the pool clean. Each type of filter can be backwashed, soaked in a filter solution overnight and then reused.
A swimming pool vacuum can be used to keep the pool floor clean of all dirt and debris that settled down at the bottom. A simple garden hose plugged into a faucet can be used to keep the area around the pool clean. Just make sure the wash water doesn't flow back into the pool.
Shocking your pool
Running the chemical tests will let you know about the exact conditions of the various chemical levels in the pool. Check to see if the water hardness, pH, alkali and chlorine levels are all within acceptable parameters. Excess levels of chlorine in the water can cause skin damage and irritation. Excessive water hardness and high levels calcium in the water may cause scaling on the pool walls. Once in a while ‘Super Shock' your pool to completely kill off all microorganism contaminants in your pool.
Swimming pools enhance property value and make excellent recreational sources. Just as you enjoy your pool, you should also give due attention to its care and maintenance. Your swimming pool builder will advise you on the cleaning, maintenance and chemical treatments your pool will require.
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