Having a pool is a dream come true. You can use your pool for exercise, to entertain guests, hold parties, the possibilities are endless. But owning a pool comes with a great deal of responsibility. When not maintained correctly, pools can cost several thousand dollars more than necessary in repairs. It’s worth it to take the steps to keep that from happening.
Keeping it Clean
Keeping your pool clean can keep more expensive repairs at bay. There are many parts of the pool that you should remember to clean. First, it’s important to keep the exterior of the pool clean. If there are excessive branches, rocks, or leaves, these can blow into or be knocked into your pool. When this happens, sharp sticks and rocks can cause damage to the vinyl and leaves can clog the filter. Clean the walkways and areas around your pool to avoid this.
It’s nearly impossible to keep everything out of your outdoor pool, no matter how vigilant you are in cleaning the surrounding area. Skim the surface of the water every so often to clean out debris. Also keep up with cleaning the border where the water hits the wall.Clean the vinyl layer with a towel, a brush, or install an automatic pool cleaner that can do this for you. Changing and cleaning the pool filter is also important in keeping the pool water clean.
Pool Chemistry
Having the proper pool chemistry is one of the most important parts of making sure that your pool stays clean and safe for swimmers. Also, maintaining proper water chemistry helps you avoid costly damages that unbalanced chemicals cause.
There are a couple of different parts of your pool’s chemistry that you need to check and regulate. These include the pH level (which should stay between 7.4 and 7.6), Alkalinity, and calcium hardness. If the pH level is off, the water will start to eat away at different parts of your pool, like the pipes and the surface of the pool. Both of these types of repairs can cost well over $1000 if not kept in check.
The pH levels are regulated through alkalinity. Calcium leaves residue on the surface of your pool that also causes problems. If you check these levels, and they are off, resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
Chlorine is the most common disinfectant used in pools. It is important to use the proper amount of chlorine for the size of your pool so that the chemistry is balanced and doesn’t cause harm to your pool. About once a week, you will need to add an extra amount of chlorine to the pool in a process called “shocking the pool”.
Ask your local pool store for any help and instruction. They sell special kits to test the chemical levels in your pool. Remember to read the instructions on the chemicals completely before using them so that you avoid injury.
Regular Maintenance Checks
Maintaining a pool obviously includes more than monitoring chemicals in the pool. There are many physical parts of the pool that you should examine on a regular basis to make sure they are still working. This includes the plumbing, filtration, and cleaning components of your pool. Make sure that the circulation is still working well in your pool by checking the pool pumps. Check the filter regularly for any signs of large debris.
You can do regular maintenance checks at the same time that you clean your pool or swim in your pool. Just remember to keep an eye out for any irregularities and fix even small problems as quickly as possible so they don’t become bigger.
Pool Calendar and Checklist
There are different maintenance tasks that need to be done in different seasons to maintain your pool. For example, you’ll need to cover or drain it during the winter to avoid bacteria growth or freezing damage. It can be difficult to remember when to do what. It’s important to create a system to remind you when to do what maintenance tasks. Consider building a calendar that you can mark off as you do tasks.
Large repairs on your pool can ruin the fun that you should be having in your pool. They cost a lot of money and take up time you could be spending in your pool. Follow these steps so you can avoid costly repairs and enjoy your pool to the fullest.
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