A swimming pool is enjoyable, and keeping the pool and its surroundings in good condition is imperative to get the most from your investment. It takes commitment and a regular schedule to keep the water in good condition. Here are a few steps for swimming pool maintenance.
Maintenance for Your Backyard Swimming Pool
Neglecting pool maintenance will result in expensive repairs, dirty water, algae growth, and unhealthy conditions. Let’s look at four things you can do to keep your pool summer-ready.
Remove Debris from the Surface
Skimming debris from the water is the maintenance task you will complete regularly. An uncovered pool collects fallen leaves, insects, and other debris. The good news is the organic matter is easy to remove using a skimmer net with a long handle.
Vacuum the Swimming Pool
Debris may settle on the bottom of the pool that the skimmer can’t reach. Removing hard-to-reach debris is where a pool vacuum comes in handy. Both manual and robotic vacuums operate underwater to collect debris. It is up to you to decide whether you want to vacuum or prefer the task to be automatic. Vacuum the pool at least once every week.
Test the Water and Add Chemicals
Maintaining the proper chemical balance in the pool is an essential part of maintenance. When the chemicals are off-balance, the water may irritate the skin and eyes, look murky, and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Test the water once a week. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6, the free chlorine level should be between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm, and alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 ppm. Add a chlorine shock treatment or sanitizer to kill bacteria, algae, and other contaminants.
Swimming Pool Maintenance: Clean the Filter
Clean the pool filter regularly to remove the trapped debris. Backwash the filter system to clear the lines. If your pool gets a lot of use, clean the filters weekly. However, if you notice the filter is reading higher psi than usual, flush the system as soon as possible.
Regular pool maintenance ensures your family and friends enjoy a clean, healthy swimming pool all summer.
Home Support Property Inspections offers home inspections to customers in Maryland and DC. Contact us to schedule our services.