If you have an outdoor swimming pool on your property, you want to be able to take advantage of the luxury as much as possible. Unfortunately, without proper maintenance, a swimming pool will quickly become unusable. Swimming pool maintenance does not have to be a burden, but the key is to stay on top of it and not let it spiral out of hand. The longer you neglect your maintenance, the more likely it is that you will need to make costly repairs, or hire a professional pool cleaning service. Just as you would take care of your home or your car, making small and consistent efforts will save you money, hassle, and extend the life of your pool. It’s about getting into a habit and making it part of your regular home maintenance.
Here are six simple maintenance steps to take to keep your pool clean, clear, and usable all year round.
1. Check the pool’s surface for damage or wear and tear
Over time, the plaster, tile, pebble, or fiberglass surface of a pool can become worn or suffer damage. Keep an eye on the pool for broken areas and if needed contact a pool resurfacing company Jacksonville.
2. Monitor pool chemicals
Your pool needs to be carefully balanced in terms of chemistry in order to ensure that it is at the right pH level (7.2-7.8). The lower the pH, the less chlorine is required, but as pH increases, the chlorine becomes less active, which means many people continue to add it. If you manage the chlorine levels effectively you should not need to add as much of it to the water.
3. Clear the skimmer baskets every week
Your pool will have a skimmer, which is designed to catch any debris that might contaminate the water and make it sink to the bottom of the pool. Keep the baskets clear to ensure they do not become clogged and can skim as much as possible from the pool.
4. Clean the lint pot
At the front of the pool pump is a lint pot which needs cleaning. Turn the pump off, as well as the pressure in the system. The lint pot is a basket inside the glass of the pump. Ideally, your pump should have multiple speeds.
5. Check the water level
If your pool’s water level is too high or too low your pool skimmer will not be able to remove debris from the surface of the water. In addition, if the water level is too low for the pump, the pump may be running dry and can burn.
6. Clean the filters
Pool filters need to be cleared on a regular basis to ensure your pool is hygienic. How often you need to clean the filters will depend on the type of filter you have. A cartridge filter, for example, delivers maximum flow rates and wastes very little water, as there is no backwashing. They also only need to be cleaned a couple of times each year or after a particularly bad storm. An additional set of elements can make the job much easier.
