Perhaps pool care can seem like a daunting task that you may solicit to the professionals. Don’t view it as an uphill burden due to a plethora of test kits and chemicals involved. This task is manageable, provided you have a precise cleaning schedule and pool maintenance kits. Every homeowner knows the significance of having a clean pool for both health and leisure purposes.
With that said, let’s look at the tips on how to take care of your new home’s pool.
Embrace Skimming and Scrubbing
Skimming aids in getting rid of leaves and other remains from the surface of the water. This exercise is a no-brainer and thus should be done repeatedly. If you’re not cash-strapped, you can ponder purchasing a robot vacuum that will clean the base of your pool. Besides skimming, scrubbing the pools’ sides is focal to effective maintenance of the pool as it thwarts algae build-up. Fortunately, this doesn’t need to be done more often. You can slate it for once in a week. If algae invade your pool siding, use a scrub brush to remove them and give your siding a fresh look. For those spots that remain intact despite the application of grease, repurpose an old sock. Add chlorine onto it and allow it to cover the spot for 2-3 hours before scrubbing again. The chlorine will get rid of the stubborn algae, and you’ll eventually make use of those socks without pairs.
Contemplate the Filter as Your Pool’s Kidney
Just as kidneys work restlessly to purify the blood, your pool’s filter does the same to purify the water. Like any other water surface, a pool isn’t free from dirt and other debris that make it unsafe for human use. In most cases, cleaning a pool involves switching off the filter, taking out the filter cap stationed on the pool deck, pulling out the filter basket, and getting rid of any debris before restoring the filter. It’s recommended to clean your filter basket twice in a week. Pool pundits also recommend cleaning of pipes used by the filter system twice in a month. This can be achieved through backwashing. To kick-start, this process, set your filter to “backwash,” disconnect the leaf basket and get rid of any dirt or debris. The switch on your pump and allow it to run until all the dirt is eradicated. Only turn off the pump when clean water comes out of the waste pipe. This will be an indication that all the filthy materials have been eliminated. Note that switching the filter on and off can prompt the filter’s mechanics to crack. Embed timer on your filter and leave it to run for more than 5 hours a day.
Pools Require Constant Chemical Levels
Chemical levels are perhaps one of the most critical aspects of pool care. Imbalanced water seems cloudy, hurts skin and eyes, and can prompt your pool to become a hotspot for bacteria. Preferably, you should test pool water no less than once a week. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) outlined the chemical levels that must be considered. They include:
- Free Chlorine: A sanitizer that kills off the bacteria and germs, thereby making your pool water safe.
- Calcium Hardness: Proper levels of calcium aids in warding off plaster damage. The appropriate levels should range from 210-360, but this isn’t applicable for pools with vinyl siding.
- Acidity/Alkalinity: Also referred to as PH level, acidity should range from 7.5-7.8 to curb irritation and safeguard the pool gear from eroding.
- Total Alkalinity: Ensures there is no PH variation. Levels should range from 60-120.
- Cyanuric Acid: Shields chlorine from sunlight and determines the appropriate Free Chlorine level.
Testing water is a no-brainer. All you need is to purchase some testing kits from your nearest pool store. Fetch some water from your pool. Empty the collected water into the testing kit. Add a few drops of the provided solution to the testing gear and close the vials openings. Within a minute, there will be a notable change in the color of your water sample. A contrast of the water sample to the colors displayed on the testing tool will help you ascertain the existing chemical levels.
If there is an imbalance, adjust the chemical levels accordingly until you attain the required balance. When there is a proper balance of chemicals, the water will be completely transparent and uncloudy and have no smell.
Give Baking Soda a Try if the Chemicals are too Expensive
It’s undeniable that pool chemicals can be costlier to purchase; therefore, there is a need to examine the viability of other cost-effective chemicals such as baking soda. Most pool retailers recommend using sodium bicarbonate to regulate the alkalinity of the pool without significantly lowering the PH levels. Most pool grocery owners are out there to make lucrative profits by inflating cleaning solutions. In reality, regular baking soda performs the same role as sodium bicarbonate for a fair, slightly reduced price.
Sodium bicarbonate is one of the ingredients used in baking soda, which is typically indicated on the label. Therefore, baking soda is an effective alternative to sodium bicarbonate when it comes to pool cleaning. So, if you have never used a baking soda, you should consider giving it a try.
Don’t Hesitate to Shock a Cloudy Pool
As far as chemicals are concerned, you shouldn’t be deterred from shocking your pool when the need arises. Although this process is mistaken for public pools, it is also ideal for private pools. Nonetheless, contemplate how your pool water appears after throwing a big bash. The truth is, it is cloudier than it was on the eve of the bash. That cloudiness is a symbolism of bacteria that you must eliminate within the shortest time possible. Shocking is the practice of enormously increasing chlorine levels for a short duration to get rid of bacteria. This process is kick-started by diluting 3-5 times the average volume of chlorine with water, gradually letting it into the pool’s return line, allowing it to filter across the entire pool, and then gradually letting in the water refill the pool over time. However, a pool’s regular shock isn’t recommended as it would intensify the risk of damage to your pool’s sidings. Therefore, you should shock your pool not more than twice every season.
Watch out for Your Pool’s Water Level
The physical water level is as essential as the chemical composition of the water. There will be a variance in water levels during a rainy season or when kids play in the water. Every pool owner is determined to keep the water level halfway the skimmer opening. If there is water deficiency, use a garden hose to refill the pool until the required level is achieved. If the water level surpasses the recommended level, lease a submergible pump to let out the excess water. Those whose pool liners are made of fiberglass or vinyl that can be ruined by the pump should seek advice from a professional. Once the required water level is attained, keep in mind to recheck the chemicals. The changes in water levels are more likely to cause chemical imbalances.
Use a Tennis Ball to Absorb Oils
What comes into your mind when you envisage a tennis ball in a pool? Many people contemplate playing catch. Nonetheless, a tennis ball can be used for multiple purposes. Once swimmers are done swimming, specific oils such as lotion oils, natural oils secreted by the skin, among others, can get scattered in the water. Though it can be upsetting to think about it, fortunately, there is a quick remedy. Release a tennis ball into the water. Tennis is made up of fibers, which are ideal oil absorbers. This is the secret to getting rid of oil, both natural and artificial, that swimmers might leave when exiting the pool.
Power Wash to Give Your Pool Deck an Aesthetic Appeal
The section close to the pool is as essential as the outright structure. Power washing makes your pool deck star. Power washing also referred to as pressure washing, aids in discarding any form of rust or stubborn stains that seem not to fade away. If you do not own a power washer, you can lease one from your local improvement store. Ignite this process by collecting leaves and any other form of debris so that they don’t spill all over during the cleaning process. Place the power washer facing the direction you intend to face. Set the washer on standard power and get rid of stains on the pool deck surface. Repeat the process until all the debris and stains have been eradicated. When spraying, keep in mind to overlap the parts you previously cleaned to avert streaks. If you have never used a power washer before, consider hiring a professional to do the job on your behalf. As a beginner, you may not know when to step up the power and vice versa. Improper use of a power washer can do more harm than good in your pool, something you shouldn’t envisage.
Conclusion
A pool is one of the most expensive home appliances that homeowners boast of. A pool, just like any other house appliance, requires proper care and maintenance for it to be usable. If you neglect your pool, it will result in chemical imbalances, algae build-up, fluctuations in water levels, accumulation of dirt and debris, etc. Both public and private pools need to be taken care of so that they don’t become toxic for users.
By embracing the mentioned above tips, you’ll be able to maintain your pool in a good state. Some of them are effortless to effect while others, like power washing, require a pro’s help. As stated earlier, it’s possible to keep your pool in a good state without spending a fortune.