Did you know that the United States is home to approximately 10.4 million residential swimming pools? When added to the 309,000 public pools, that means there is about one pool for every 31 people!
With summer just around the corner, many people will be looking forward to spending time relaxing in pools. But to keep your pool in a clean and safe condition, it is essential to carry out basic swimming pool maintenance.
Read on to discover the basic steps you need to add to your pool maintenance checklist today!
Brush, Skim, and Vacuum
The first step in how to clean a pool properly is to skim the surface of the pool with a net skimmer every day to remove any floating debris.
A pool vacuum — either automatic or manual — can keep the pool floor clean. But you should also manually brush the walls and pool stairs once a week at a minimum.
You should take all these steps at least once a week. But the more often, the better.
Know Your Chemicals
Chlorine can kill illness-causing germs like E. coli, so it is essential to regularly check chlorine and pH levels. This will help ensure you don’t catch any viruses or parasites from your pool.
The easiest way to keep on top of your pool’s chemical levels is to buy a good water testing kit. This will show you the water’s pH levels, alkalinity, and sanitization levels. Test the water at least once a week and adjust the chemicals as needed.
You should also shock your pool twice a season or whenever the water is looking murky. This means raising the chlorine levels temporarily to kill off any lingering bacteria.
The safest way to do this is by diluting concentrated chlorine in a bucket of warm water. Pour the mixture into your pool while wearing protective hand and eyewear.
The Importance of a Healthy Pool Pump
Ideally, your pump should run constantly during the summer months. But though this provides the best filtration results, it is also costly. As long as you run your pump for at least eight hours each day, your water should stay clean and well-circulated.
You should clean the filter basket once a week. Backwash your filter at least once a month to remove any built-up debris clogging your pipes. If you don’t do this, your pump will have to work harder to circulate water, which can cause internal damage.
Your pump is a vital part of your pool system. Though maintenance will prolong its lifetime, the pool pump motor will need replacing at some point. This is a complicated procedure, and it is advisable to have a qualified pool technician take care of this for you.
Swimming Pool Maintenance Made Easy
Swimming pool maintenance is often an afterthought, but it should be a priority. By keeping to a regular pool cleaning schedule, you will be able to enjoy your pool for many years to come.
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