Keeping a swimming pool nice and clean might sound like a lot of work, but in reality, it really isn’t. Granted, different kinds require different maintenance methods, but only so slightly. The bottom line is, most of them rely on regular maintenance to keep in good shape and the routine is quite similar for each one. Now, if you’re a new pool owner, you might not know every tip and trick in the book on how to keep them clean, but don’t worry we’re here to help you out. On that note, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
1. Skim As Often As You Can
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Skimming is the easiest way to get rid of any debris and is definitely the most popular way of cleaning the pool. You can do this as often as you’d like, there are no cons with this one. Just grab a hand skimmer, or even a leaf skimmer, and remove the floating debris from your pool. The floating mess will eventually sink, so it’s important to get it out as soon as you can. Additionally, skimming has been known to improve water circulation and pump performance, which also means you’ll need to add less chlorine to the water.
2. Scrub The Walls
If you have a fiberglass pool you’re probably wondering what are we talking about, but, if you have a concrete one, you know how annoying those wall-stains can be. Luckily, getting rid of wall-stains is rather simple. That is if you do it regularly. All you need to do is grab a brush once you notice the staining and scrub the affected area. You don’t have to do this very often – once or twice a month would be ideal.
3. Vacuum
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Believe it or not, you can vacuum your swimming pool just like you’d vacuum your carpet. Naturally, you can’t use the same vacuum, but other than that, the process is pretty much the same. Debris sinks and gets stuck to the floor. So, unless you want to dive and retrieve you might consider getting a pool vacuum. You can choose between all sorts of vacuums, from regular, manual ones to automatic, self-cleaning ones. All of them pretty much do the same thing, the only difference is whether you want to do the job or just let the machine handle it while you relax and sunbathe.
4. Clean The Filters
Filters are arguably the most important thing when it comes to keeping the pools clean. There are three types of filters and although their maintenance schedules and procedures slightly differ, all of them need to be cleaned occasionally. One thing to remember when it comes to filters is – there is such thing as too clean. You don’t want to clean your filters too often, as a slightly dirty one is more efficient than a sparkling clean one. On that note, you don’t want to let it get too dirty, so make sure you clean the filter when the time comes.
5. Keep The Chemical Balance Consistent
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One of the first things you’ll learn as a pool owner is that your chemical balance of the water needs to be consistent and up to certain standards. Any shift in balance can cause changes in water appearance, make for a bacteria farming ground and even cause skin and eye irritation. According to poolresurfacingcathedralcity.com you should check the water balance once a week. Grab a few testing kits from your local store and keep up with your testing. Perfectly balanced water should be clear, odorless and kind to your eyes and skin.
6. Try Baking Soda
Let’s take a look at a couple of pro-tips. Since we all know that pool chemicals can be quite expensive, let’s talk about some alternatives. When it comes to balancing the alkalinity of the water, many recommend using sodium bicarbonate. That way you don’t drastically affect the PH levels and you get the job done. However, sodium bicarbonate tends to get expensive, so, instead of breaking the bank for it, try baking soda. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate as one of the ingredients and checks this out – in the same concentration as well. So, just grad baking soda from the local store and use it as a replacement.
7. Grab A Solar Cover
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If you want to minimize the efforts to keep your pool free from the various debris that will inevitably fall into it – buy a solar pool cover. Not only are solar covers great for keeping the water warm, but they’re also a great way to keep the debris out of it. A pro-tip: if you have a large pool, invest in an automatic cover roller – it will save you so much time and effort.
8. Throw In A Tennis Ball
Now, we know this might seem a bit awkward, because, what can a floating yellow ball do to keep the water clean, right? Well, believe it or not, it can do quite a bit. Our skin is oily and when we’re swimming our, the oil tends to stay behind us and float on top of the water surface. Tennis balls are great for collecting those oils. Their surface is covered with those fuzzy fibers which will catch and absorb the oils and leave the water sparkling clean.
9. Schedule A Yearly Service
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As much as you take care of your pool, you’re not an expert, we presume. In that case, it would be best to schedule a yearly appointment for a professional check-up and maintenance. Keeping the water clean and healthy is one thing, but the mechanical aspect of the pool (pumps, filters, heating systems, pipes, etc.) needs a professional’s touch. Even if everything turns out great, don’t look at it as a waste of money, but an opportunity to spot the problem early and save a lot of money in the future.
10. Replace The Water Every 3 Years
Even though we agree that it would be awesome never to replace the water and just keep on filtering it until the end of time, that’s simply not the case. Filters and chemical balancing can only get you so far, so, after about 2 to 3 years – it’s time to empty the pool, scrub it clear and fill it back up again.
As you can see, there are several different things you could do to keep your pool healthy and clean. Some are easier, some are more difficult, but in the end, all of them are necessary if you want to enjoy a quick dip any time you please.
