Whether you’ve just moved into a new house with a pool or recently had one installed, you know that having a pool requires regular time and effort. First time pool owners can easily feel overwhelmed with all the details. Once you learn these basic pool maintenance steps, you’ll feel more confident maintaining your pool yourself. Let’s get started.
Pool Cover
The first piece of equipment you will want to invest in is a pool cover. A cover is effective in shielding the water from any debris from trees, plants, weather elements and anything else that may find its way into your pool. Having a pool cover is helpful during the winter months when the pool is not in use.
Skimmer
The second thing you’ll need is a skimmer, a rake-like tool with a net that is used to fish objects out of the pool. You should use this regularly to remove any debris that may have gotten into your pool, such as leaves or dead insects. For the best possible care, skim your pool on a daily basis.
Automatic pool skimmers can do the hard work for you, since they are designed to pull surface water in to filter out any debris that form on top of the water.
Vacuum
This in definitely your investment piece. An automatic pool vacuum gets rid all of the materials which make their way to the bottom of the pool and other areas that may be hard to reach with the skimmer. Automatic pool vacuums can be pretty expensive, but they make your life much easier and keep your pool sparkly clean.
Circulation
Keeping your pool water moving is a essential part of maintaining your swimming pool. Stagnant water breeds bacteria and promotes unclean water conditions. Your pool pump and filter play the largest role in the swimming pool circulatory system. A good rule of thumb is to run your pump for 10 to 12 hours each day, which will circulate the water in your pool two to three times per day. To save on your electric bill, run your pump at night, when rates are lower.
Cleaning
Your pool filter has the main job of filtering out dirt and debris that have found their way into your swimming pool. It’s the primary cleaning element and choosing the right one could mean the difference between a clean pool and a dirty one. There are three types of filters to choose from: sand, DE, and cartridge filters. Make sure to follow the specific cleaning instructions for the filter you have.
Chemicals
Chemicals are an essential part in keeping your pool clean and the water safe to swim in. This is why it is essential to test and correct your pool chemistry each week. Balancing your pool means keeping the pH level between 7.4 and 7.6.
