What better way to beat the heat than diving into your pool clean to get a refreshing feeling? Having a pool in your home can be a source of entertainment and relaxation if properly maintained. And can also be a home of germs and a source of embarrassment if ignored.
Nobody wants to swim in a dirty pool. Neglecting your pool maintenance will cause damage, even making your pool unsafe to swim. Keeping your pool sparkling clean all year long can be challenging if you don’t know how and where to start. That’s why we came up with tips to help you keep your pool sparkling clean in all seasons.
Let’s proceed!
1. Skim the surface
To skim the surface of your pool means to get the dirt off the surface. Skimming, especially in spring, is important. Debris and leaves are more likely to be on the surface of your pool. Skimming them out as soon as you see them will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the pool, making them difficult to clean. Regular skimming will keep your pool sparkling at all times.
Skimming provides you with unobstructed access to your pool. It provides an aesthetic feel and view of your home. It also helps your pool function better.
Tool for skimming
When constructing your pool, the constructors installed a pool skimmer at the bottom of the pool. But if it wasn’t installed, there are other types of skimmers to enable you to keep your pool clean.
There is a robotic skimmer which is an automatic skimmer. It works for both pools with an in-built skimmer and those without, regardless. A hand skimmer is another type of pool skimmer. Though budget-friendly, it requires more energy to use than the regular built-in skimmer.
2. Brush the walls and floor
Regularly brushing the walls and floor of your pool will make it look nicer and more welcoming. It will also extend longevity and prevent any high cost of repair in the future. Start brushing from the bottom to the top. Brush in a circular motion to loosen up the dirt stuck to the walls and floor. Use a steel brush to remove tough stains and dirt.
Why should you brush your pool?
- To prevent algae growth and maintain your water quality
- To remove dirt and debris
- To help distribute chemicals throughout your pool
3. Vacuum the pool
Keeping your pool surface clean prevents it from having foul odors and infections. Vacuuming your pool will easily help you remove dirt, debris, and algae quickly. You should vacuum your pool once every week to avoid the accumulation of dirt and debris.
You need a telescopic pole, a vacuum hose, and a vacuum plate to vacuum your pool efficiently. Assemble the pool vacuum, connect the vacuum plate, select the filter valve setting, and then start to vacuum your pool. Vacuuming takes time, so it requires patience. Don’t move too fast with your vacuum, so you don’t kick off more debris than it will collect.
4. Balance the Chemicals
The chemicals in your pool react with each other. It’s important to understand their relationship and balance them. Sometimes, chemicals might be too high or too low, so it’s important to check and balance the chemical level. Your pool shouldn’t be too acidic or too basic.
How to balance the Chemical Level For Pool Clean
1. Check the total alkalinity. The ideal range is between 80 -120 ppm if it is below or above, then adjust it.
2. PH level should range from 7.4 -7.6.
3. Calcium hardness should range from 200 to 400 ppm.
4. Add sanitizer (i.e. chlorine or bromine) it should be 3 ppm
5. Measure the dissolved solid. It should be less than 2000 ppm.
5. Clean the Filters
Your pool filter has to be kept clean. Don’t use suntan lotion, deodorant, and any other chemical to clean your filter because it will decrease the lifespan of your pool. Let’s show you how to do it.
How to clean your filters
There are three types of filters: cartridge, sand, and D.E. filters. The type of filter you have will determine how you will clean it.
1. Cartridge
- Switch off the filter system and the pool pump
- Remove the excess air from the system by turning the air relief valve.
- Uncover the top of the filter
- Remove the cartridge carefully and keep it aside
- Gently spray water between the pleats with a nozzle
- Use water, and thoroughly rinse the cartridge
- Use a filter cleaner if the filter is too dirty
- Put everything back together
2. Sand filter
- Run the pump for 2 to 3 minutes on the backwash setting
- Turn off the pump
- Open the air relief valve
- Remove the drain plug
- Open the filter tank
- Take out the grid assembly and hose it down with water
- Change the filter lid
- Assembly back everything
- Turn on the pump and close the air relief valve when water starts flowing.
3. D.E (diatomaceous earth)
For a D.E. filter, use the same process as the sand filter.
6. Shock the pool
You should shock your pool regularly to free it from bacteria, organic pollutants, and contaminations. Those can cause an unsafe swimming environment or even damage your pool.
You might be able to do this process yourself, but it’s better to call a professional, so it’s properly done and your pool is safe.
7. Maintain proper water level For Pool Clean
The water level of your pool can fluctuate daily as a result of evaporation and rainfall. So, to keep your pool at the ideal level, it’s best to check it daily. If your water level it’s too low, increase it, and if it’s too high, reduce it to ensure a balanced level.
Your water level should be between one-third and half up your skimmer box opening. Avoid a low water level at all costs, to prevent your pump from getting damaged. High water levels can also reduce the efficiency of your skimmer or even damage it.
8. Keep Your Pool Surrounding Clean
Most of the dirt and debris that enters your pool come from the pool area. Ensure the pool area is properly clean. If there is carpet grass and trees around, trim them regularly to avoid insects from entering the pool. Sweep the floor and mop it with a mopping stick to be sparkling clean. If the area around your pool is clean, then half of your cleaning job is done and your pool will be mostly clean and free from dirt and debris.
9. Use a pool cover
Covering your pool when not in use is an important tip to keep your pool sparkling clean. Imagine a few minutes after cleaning your pool only to come back and find it dirty. This can happen as a result of leaving your pool open. You can prevent dirt, insects, bird poop, and leaves from entering your pool when you cover it.
A Sunny test is best for covering your pool perfectly because it is foldable and can maintain the water temperature of your pool.
10. Call the professionals
Weekly maintenance for your pool is important to keep your pool sparkling and refreshing at all times. Even though your pool serves as a spot for relaxation, it can wear you down with unique problems, if not properly maintained. Maintenance will save you the cost of expensive repairs for your pool. For more effective maintenance, employ the service of a good pool maintenance company.
When to Call a Pro
Are you tired of dealing with stubborn calcium build-up on your pool walls and floor? Don’t let a dirty pool ruin your summer. For, tough and stubborn stains employ the help of a professional.
Allow Calcium Killers, a pool cleaning service in Palm Springs, California, to restore the pool to its original state. For areas within 35 miles, we offer free estimates. With our years of experience, we can restore the glow of your pool. For calcium deposit removal, power washing, tile cleaning, and your pool maintenance reach out to us!