An inground pool is a great addition to your home. It’s something that all the family can enjoy and the perfect spot to cool down on hot summer days. All pools need regular maintenance if they are to remain usable and safe. We have put together a list of the basics, so if you have just bought a home with a pool or are thinking of having one installed, read on!
1: Clean Away Debris Regularly
Pools are going to gather debris, no matter how hard you try to keep them clear. This needs to be removed regularly. A pool skimmer can be used to skim the surface, and you should also check for debris in the baskets. These need to be removed and cleaned. Leaves are your most likely problem – along with twigs and other such items – and they will not help with chlorine levels. You can buy a leaf cover that is easy to put on and remove, and these come highly recommended.
2: Maintain the Right pH levels
It is easy to overlook the importance of pH levels in your pool water, but you really should check it on a regular basis. There are many different options when it comes to buying test kits, and we recommend that you keep some handy all the time. The pH level is all about healthy and clean water. You are looking for a reading between 7.2 to 7.8pH and an alkalinity of around 80 to 120ppm. The pool manufacturer will provide advice on how to adjust these levels.
3: Vacuum the Pool Often
One item to invest in is a pool vacuum. These are used to suck up the debris that has sunk to the bottom of the pool and can also help in clearing the surface. They are easy to use, effective, and not expensive. This is a must-have item for pool maintenance. We also recommend that you regularly brush the sides of your inground pool.
This will help clear away the deposits that naturally gather there as a result of the water, such as calcite. Do this once a week, and you will keep a healthy and clean pool ripe for swimming. While you’re at it, there is another weekly routine you need to keep up, so let’s talk about that.
4: Weekly Check on the Chlorinator
Your pool will have a chlorinator built-in, and it does a lot of hard work in keeping your pool sanitized and clean. This is done by way of chlorine tablets that dissolve slowly and are constantly emitted into the water. These need regularly replacing, as this is essential in ensuring the pool is safe for swimming. Make checking and replacing a weekly routine. Also, you may need to ‘shock’ the pool. Over time, natural deposits build up in the pool.
These react with chlorine, and the result is a nasty and unpleasant odor. By ‘shocking’ the pool – effectively over-chlorinating for a 24-hour period – you will remove the natural organisms that are causing this. Check with your pool installer about the right way to shock the pool. A professional pool cleaning company such as that found here – https://everclearpoolsnj.com/ – will be able to give you detailed advice on pool maintenance.
5: Maintain the Water Level
Regular use of your pool will result in lost water. After all, when you get out, you naturally remove some. In the summer months, quite a lot of water can be lost to evaporation. The problem is that when the level falls beneath the automatic skimmer filters, they cannot do the job, and debris builds up.
Fill the pool with a garden hose above the filters, and then check your chlorine and pH levels as a change in water level will affect them. One method of defeating evaporation is to install an automatic pool cover, which, while an additional expense, will make your life a lot easier when maintaining your pool. Talk to your pool installer about this option or to a local pool company if you are thinking of fitting a cover.
6: Clean Filters at Least Twice a Year
The filters in your pool constantly work when it is in use, and it is strongly recommended you check and clean them at least every six months. If debris is a real problem, perhaps every three months may be a safer option. If your pool is used a lot, then more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
The filters should be removed and soaked in a recommended solution and any debris removed. If they appear damaged, they may need to be replaced. Always check your filters following a heavy storm as debris may get into them, and ensure they are correctly fitted when you put them back.
7: Install a Pool Fence
A pool fence is a great idea in many ways. For one, it can be an attractive addition to the pool and adds a defined leisure area for your property. The fence can also be a safety feature in keeping children and pets away from the pool when not accompanied.
Furthermore, the fence will catch much of the debris that is blown by the wind before it gets into the water. There are many pool fences on the market, and there should be one to fit any budget, so if you have a pool installed, discuss this with the pool company.
8: Get a Professional Maintenance Contract
All of the above may seem like a lot of hard work, yet each of these jobs does not take a lot of time. However, in these days of long working hours and busy lives, it may be sensible and cost-effective to engage the services of a local professional pool maintenance or repair company like Mr Pool Leak Repair.
Many pool installers offer this service – the one we linked to at the start of the article is a good starting point – and you may find that it is not as expensive as expected. Enjoy your pool and keep to the routine mentioned above for healthy and enjoyable swimming.