How to Maintain a Pool

Your half-hearted search for a swimming pool ended online today. Underground pools are too expensive and permanent for your taste. Until now, above-ground pools, though more reasonable, were less than attractive. Your excitement is overflowing, and you’re ready to buy. Your ever-practical mate pointed out that, in addition to the ongoing chemical expense, you should consider what it takes to maintain a pool. It’s a commitment of at least two hours per week.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Long-handled leaf skimmer
• Brush
• Vacuum
• Water test strips
• Chemicals
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

1. Become familiar with the working parts of your swimming pool: the pump, filter, heater and chlorinator. Together they make up the water circulation system. The pump draws water out of the pool; then pushes it through the filter, heater and chlorinator back into the pool. Keep these in good repair and extend the life of your pool.

2. Remove leaves, insects and other debris with a long-handled leaf skimmer to maintain a glistening and inviting pool surface. Do this often enough to prevent debris from sinking to the bottom where it can cause stains and other damage.

3. Brush any dirt on the bottom and sides of the pool toward the drain for easier vacuuming. Vacuum the bottom and drain. Make sure you fully submerge the head and hose before attaching the hose to the vacuum.

4. Clean the skimmers and check the entire water circulation system. The system is crucial to chemical effectiveness, so run your pump daily--long enough to maintain the cleanliness of the swimming pool water and the circulation system equipment. Allowing debris to build up can result in costly system damage.

5. Check the filter. Vertical grid DE, sand and cartridge filters are the three most popular kinds. How you maintain your filter will vary according to type. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning instructions.

6. Monitor organic matter that can accumulate in your swimming pool by testing the water often. Add pool chemicals as necessary. This process, called shocking, prevents potentially dangerous bacteria and algae from growing in the pool and possibly causing illness.

Tips & Warnings

• Pool chemicals can cause burns and other serious injury. Always wear gloves, protective clothing and safety glasses when handling them.

Resources

• Weekly maintenance tips
• Kayak Pools

[misstilie]

on 6/11/2008 Thanks. We're about to open the pool and I never paid much attention to how it works.