It seems like a popular dream – to have a nice house with a vibrant blue pool in the backyard. It looks great, yes, but have you thought about how much maintenance a pool actually requires? Maintaining a pool is no easy feat; it takes a lot of time, energy, and money. So when you’re looking for a property with a pool, be prepared to invest in it. You’ll need to have a proper maintenance routine to keep your pool looking and working well. Here are some essential pool maintenance tips you’ll need to try once you do get that pool.
Skim and Scrub
It sounds obvious, but it’s still important to emphasize skimming all the leaves and debris off the surface of the water. This is something that will need to be repeated on a regular basis, no matter what. For a really pristine pool, you’d need to skim the water every single day. If you happen to have some money to spend, you can think about buying a robot vacuum that will clean the bottom of the pool for you. Prevent algae buildup by brushing the walls of the pool with a scrub brush whenever you see any growths. For those stubborn spots that won’t come off, there is a solution: grab an old sock you don’t use anymore and fill it will chlorine. Let it sit on top of the spot for a few hours then scrub it again. The chlorine will have eaten away at the algae.
Filter the Pool
The pool’s filter is like its kidneys in a way. It constantly works on removing any impurities from the water like dirt, leaves, and even small toys. A lot of the time, the pool can be cleaned by turning off the filter, taking off the cap on the pool take, lifting the filter basket, and taking out any debris before replacing it all. The best thing to do is clean out the filter basket at least once a week. Once a month, you need to clean out the pipes by backwashing. Set your filter to ‘backwash’, take out the leaf basket, and clean it out. Turn on your pump and let it run until the waste pipe ejects clean water. Just be careful not to turn the filter on and off too often. Doing so will cause the filter’s mechanics to crack. Set your filter on a timer and allow it to run for at least six hours a day.
Chemical Levels Need To Be Consistent
One of the most important parts of pool maintenance is keeping the levels of chemicals in the water consistent. Improperly balanced water looks murky, irritates the skin and eyes, and can make your pool a breeding ground for bacteria. You should test your water at least once a week. You can buy some testing kits from your local pool store to have. They will have clear instructions on how to test your pool’s water.
Schedule a Yearly Service Appointment
Whether you think you need it or not, it’s crucial to have your pool looked at by an expert at least once a year. Even if you think you’ve got it all under control. When it comes to the pool’s mechanical equipment especially, you won’t always know how to care for it all. Have a pool service professional come out once a year to check everything and make sure it’s all working properly. Before they come, take a good thorough look at your pool and write down any leaks or concerns you may have and want them to look at.