7 Easy Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips!

The thing about owning a swimming pool is that the more you are prepared to look after it the more benefit you will get from it for longer. A pool is no different from most other large investments that you make; it needs a bit of care and attention. What follows are a few tips that anyone can put into effect.

1. Get Out the Vacuum

You probably thought that only carpets got vacuumed? Well it may surprise you to learn that your swimming pool needs vacuuming now and again just like your carpets. Experts suggest that you vacuum your pool once a week. The analogy with vacuuming a carpet is not too far-fetched. The action of vacuuming a pool is not a million miles away from that of vacuuming a carpet – you just need a bit of a longer reach. As you would with a carpet vacuum, you need to check the filter frequently.

2. Keep The Surface Of Your Pool Clear

If you have a pool already, you will be more than aware how quickly pretty unattractive pieces of debris can build up on the surface of your pool. Even if you do not have a pool yet, you will appreciate how easy it is for materials like dead insects, leaves and other rubbish to form on the pool’s surface. Not only does this look ugly, it is not a good idea to leave it because when it sinks it is much more difficult to remove. Therefore, skimming the surface of your pool each day is well worth the time and effort. You can skim your pool easily with a net attached to a lengthy pole.

3. Keep The Algae Away

Once a week or so it is a good idea to brush the walls of your pool where algae and calcium are likely to build up. With outdoor pools it is very important to keep the area around the pool free from such things as animal excreta, too much vegetation and chemicals like fertilizers. Very importantly, clean up bird droppings as soon as you can. Bird droppings contain nitrates, which algae need to grow.

4. Shut Down Your Pool When It Is Not In Use

There will be times when your pool is not being used – during the winter for example - and the best advice here is to shut it down completely, not least because this will save on energy bills. It is also a good idea to keep it covered when the pool is not in use to reduce the evaporation of water and protect it from debris.

5. Maintain The Pool’s pH At Its Optimum Level

If you require advice on this; any swimming pool supplier will be happy to help, you will find the widest selection of swimming pool supplies online, so it would not take long to find expert advice. The optimum pH is between 7.2 – 7.8 – the pH scale runs from 0, acid to 14, alkaline. Testing your pool’s pH is relatively straightforward using paper strips or tablets.

6. Do Not Let The Water Levels Get too Low.

The danger of letting your pool’s water levels get too low is that it could damage the pump. When your pool is in use it is going to lose water through evaporation and all the splashing about that happens when people use it. You can easily top it up using a garden hose. Keep your pool covered in the winter to reduce the amount of evaporation. Experts will advise you to keep the pool filled during the winter.

7. Check the Calcium Levels in Your Pool

Calcium levels should be between 150 – 250 parts per million. You can check them yourself or you can take a water sample to an expert.

Different pools have different maintenance needs; however, the single irreducible minimum is that all pools have to be looked after. You may well use a service company for the care of your pool, but the tips explained above are things you can do yourself.