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.







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