Your swimming pool is probably one of your most prized possessions, so it makes sense to be determined to take proper care of it. The question is: how do you keep it in top condition all year round? How do you maximize its longevity? How do you avoid costly repairs? Here are a few tips:
Keep a Close Eye on the Pool Filter
The swimming pool filter is arguably the most important factor in the longevity of your pool. It is responsible for keeping the water clean and free from floating debris. As such, you should aim to clean out the filter basket at least once per week and to clean out the filter system pipes via backwashing on a monthly basis.
Maintain a Good Chemical Balance
When the chemical balance in pool water is slightly off, several problems can start to arise. For example, you may notice murky water, or dry skin and red eyes following a swim. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to check the pool chemical levels with the help of a handy testing kit. Most experts recommend conducting the test at least once every two weeks.
A good-quality testing kit should measure six different aspects of the water, including:
- Free chlorine
- Cyanuric acid: You should aim for readings as close to 40 as possible.
- Acidity vs. alkalinity: The perfect swimming pool pH level is anything between 7.2 and 8.0.
- Total alkalinity: Readings higher than 60 and below 120 are considered optimal for swimming pools.
- Calcium hardness: Calcium hardness over 350 can result in damage to the plaster inside the pool.
Consider Pool Resurfacing
You should consider residential pool resurfacing the moment that you notice your pool is showing signs of wear and tear. Look out for the presence of stains (especially if they seem to be getting gradually worse or are challenging to remove), the development of a coarse texture at the bottom of the pool, and any signs that the base is leaking.
‘Shock’ Your Pool up to Eight Times Per Year
You may have been told that ‘shocking’ your pool can put the pool’s siding at risk of incurring damage. However, ‘shocking’ is usually a necessary aspect of proper maintenance, and it should be done at least once or twice every season. That equates to between four and eight times every year.
What is ‘shocking,’ exactly? Basically, ‘shocking’ the pool refers to the process of significantly raising the chlorine levels of the water for a short period of time. The idea is to reduce cloudiness by killing off bacteria and other nasties that could be responsible for discoloration. The best way to ‘shock’ a pool is to dilute four times the normal amount of chlorine with water, pouring it slowly into the return line of the swimming pool. From there, the chlorine will filter through all of the water, following which, you can gradually begin to refill the pool water to restore the balance.
Keep these simple pool maintenance tips in mind, and you will be sure to enjoy endless summertime fun for many years to come.
