How to Maintain a Swimming Pool
Swimming pools can be a great addition to your household, but without proper maintenance they can be a source of problems or be rendered useless. Here are the ways you can keep your swimming pool clean and germ-free.
Chlorine Levels
Chlorine is used to make sure that your swimming pool does not become home to organisms that pollute the water and cause sicknesses. However, if you apply chlorine incorrectly into your pool (such as dumping chlorine), you will likely render it useless.
The correct way to apply chlorine is to add chlorine tablets or sticks into your pool’s filtering and distribution system. Another way to add chlorine correctly is to install an automatic or floating chlorine feeder.
Alkalinity and pH
swimming poolChecking your pool water’s pH, or acidity and base levels. The ideal pH level for your swimming pool should be between 7.2 to 7.6. Anything too acidic (higher than 7.6) can corrode your pool and anything that has direct contact to your swimming pool. Anything too base (lower than 7.2) can encourage organism growth in your water. Check your water’s pH weekly.
To maintain your pool’s pH levels, make sure that you have alkaline substances dissolved in your water ranging from 80 to 150 ppm (or parts per million). Low alkalinity means a low pH level and vice versa.
Algae Inhibitor
Algae inhibitors is a preventive measure from keeping algaes from growing in your pool. You can simply buy this product in liquid form in most stores. The inhibitor is poured into the skimmer intake where it will be later pumped int to the pool.
Shock Your Pool
It’s unavoidable that pool bathers can leave what we commonly call bather waste. To rid your pool of bather waste, shock your swimming pool around twice a week. Pool shockers are also known as burners and oxidizers. They are commercially available and easy to use. All you have to do is follow the instructions, although most pool shockers come in powder form that are distributed throughout the pool from below. There are also different pool shockers that are specifically for chlorinated or non-chlorinated swimming pools, so read the labels carefully!
Stabilizer
Stabilizers are used to make the chlorine in your pool last longer. To properly stabilize your pool, make sure that the pool water has a range of 30 to 50 ppm Cyanuric acid. This can make your pool’s chlorine last for three weeks longer, so check your stabilizer levels once in a three-week cycle.
Calcium Hardness
Measure your pool’s calcium levels at least once a year. The calcium levels should range from 175 ppm to 225 ppm. Too much calcium in your water can cause corrosion and a cloudy buildup.
Pump
Check your swimming pool’s pump to check for excessive noise. Replace noisy pumps or pumps that are seven years old or older. New pumps are usually more efficient, but you must still check them every now and then for any damages.
Filter
Clean your filters regularly by back-flushing your filter at least once a month. Your filter usually comes with instructions on how to do this properly. Here are the other things you should do when cleaning your filter:
Replace the filter’s sand completely every two to three years.
Replace the diatomaceous earth filter two to three times a year.
Rinse your filters when they begin to show a rise in pressure of 10 lbs or more.
Replace the cartridge of modern filters every two to three years.
Manual Cleaning
There are some corners in your pool that filters can’t reach. Use a manual brush and a pool vacuum to reach those corners that are hard to clean. Manually clean your pool at least once a week.