Any homeowner with a swimming pool on their property can bear witness to the joy it brings during the hot summer months. But like any great thing on a property, a swimming pool needs extensive maintenance and care to uphold its good condition. Therefore, any homeowner with a swimming pool on their property needs to understand the basic pool maintenance essentials.
- Professional Help or By Yourself?
There are similar services all over the place. Although some people prefer getting their pool maintained by the best pool stain removal company in Australia, others prefer to go with a DIY approach. Homeowners that choose the DIY option should have a good understanding of pool maintenance basics.
Below are some tips on how homeowners can effectively take care of and maintain the swimming pools if they cannot access the services of a professional pool maintenance company.
- Understand its Water Needs
Before any homeowner can consider themselves a pool maintenance expert, they first need to know its pH levels and total alkalinity. Alkalinity levels of the water in a pool directly impact its pH. With higher alkalinity, the water in the pool has a higher pH level.
Homeowners should also understand the calcium hardness, the levels of the total dissolved solids, cyanuric acid, and chlorine in the pool. A pool with lower calcium levels shows more corrosiveness which may damage the walls of the pool. Cyanuric acid, on the other hand, protects the chlorine content in the water from ultraviolet rays. Chlorine helps disinfect the water in a swimming pool. Calcium hardness is simply the level of calcium in the pool water.
- Remove any Debris
It takes only a few minutes to entirely skim a swimming pool’s surface to remove any floating debris after skimming, ensuring the disposal of litter away from the pool to avoid flowing back into the water. For homeowners with bushes or trees growing nearby, it may be best to trim them back to ensure that they do not shed blossoms, leaves, and pollen into the swimming pool. Switching to less messy alternatives or resorting to hardscaping in the area surrounding the pool can also help.
- Backwash the Filter
Backwashing a swimming pool should not present any challenge. All a homeowner needs to do is turn the filter valve to backwash, and it will automatically redirect the flow of water. Most swimming pool filters come in three kinds: the diatomaceous earth filter, the sand filter, and the cartridge filter. Sand filters have become relatively scarce, especially with new pools. In this case, the sand blocks any oil and dirt while the backwash directs any dirty water to a waistline connected to a storm drain.
The Diatomaceous Earth filter uses the clay-like remains of marine organisms to filter the backwash and direct the dirt into a filter bag. Homeowners should empty the bags every week and get a replacement after every few years. Components can replenish the Diatomaceous Earth filter by sprinkling it into a skimmer well.
On the other hand, a cartridge filter refers to a removable unit that homeowners hose off and reinsert. Homeowners using sand filters should consider getting a cartridge filter or a diatomaceous earth filter instead. They not only clean better but also save water which is key to environmental conservation.
- Vacuum the Pool
On average, homeowners should vacuum a swimming pool for at least 30 minutes. Vacuuming involves moving slowly across the water in the same motion as that of mowing a lawn. In cases where the width of the pool cannot support vacuuming in one pass, homeowners should consider cleaning in 2 halves.
Always lookout for a floating horse which is an indicator of a hole in the line or poor suction due to a full filter. After vacuuming, always brush off any algae from the sides of the pool using a nylon brush on the vacuum pool to complete the cleaning process. If the pool sides are made from concrete, using stainless steel brushes can offer better results.
In summary, owning a swimming pool offers one of the most rewarding feelings for homeowners. Just like any other part of a home, swimming pools require detailed and regular care and maintenance, but that does not mean that one will dedicate the rest of their life to vacuuming your swimming pool or playing with the chemistry set.
Homeowners have to understand the care the swimming pool needs and schedule beforehand. A well-maintained pool does not only guarantee a summer of enjoyment but also offers peace of mind.
