Pool Care Basics for New Pool Owners!
Congratulations! You finally took the plunge and purchased your very first swimming pool! This is a huge milestone for you and your family. Now that you have a beautiful swimming pool, how do you take good care of it? Like any good investment you want to do your upmost to keep it in good working order for as long as humanely possible. That being said, here are the pool care basics you need to know in order to keep that new pool fresh and clean for season after season.
Your Pool Circulation
Making sure your pools circulatory system is in good working order is essential to keeping a clean pool. This is because stagnant water breeds bacteria. At the center of your pools circulation system is the pool pump. It moves water from the pool and sends it through the filter for removal of any dust, dirt, and debris prior to sending it back to the pool. Running your pool pump at least eight hours a day will ensure good circulation.
The Filtration System
Your pool filter does exactly what you’d think, it filters the pool water. There are three types of pool filters, DE, sand, and cartridge. DE or diatomaceous earth filters are cleaned by backwashing the filter when the pressure increases 7-10 lbs. After the filter has been back-washed, you will need to add new Diatomaceous earth to the filter. This is accomplished by pouring DE through the skimmer. DE filter grids should be cleaned at least once every season using a filter cleaner. Once a year the entire DE filter should be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly.
Sand Filters, like DE filters, require back-washing when the pressure rises to 7-10 lbs. Keep in mind that sand filters are more efficient when they are just a little dirty. They should only be back-washed when required by the increase in pressure. Sand filters should be cleaned at least every season with a filter cleaner.
Finally cartridge filters, like all other filters you know it’s time for a cleaning when the pressure has increases 7-10 lbs. However, cartridge filters are cleaned very simply. They need to be rinsed off well with a hose. Following the rinse they should be soaked in filter cleaner for at least twelve hours.
Don’t Forget to Test your Pool Water!
You should be testing your pool water at least once a week, probably twice during the summer. You can do this by use of test strips or a liquid test kit. You’ll be testing for PH balance, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, free chlorine, free bromine, and the presence of any metals. You can pick up test strips or a liquid kit at your local pool supply.
Shock and Algaecide
Finally some troubleshooting and preventative maintenance. If you run into any problems with cloudiness, milky water , or green tinted water, you likely have a bacterial or algae problem. In these cases you need to shock your pool to help get rid of the bacteria and return it to an alkaline state. Algaecide is a great tool when faced with an algae infestation, common in summer months. However, algaecide can be added to your weekly pool maintenance schedule as a preventative measure.
