Things You'll Need:
- leaf/bug skimmer
- pool vacuum with handle and tubing
- wide wall brush
- pool water test kit
- Chlorine
- pH
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Step 1
People who clean their own above ground swimming pools save money. A pool cleaning service saves the pool owner time, but as with most time-saving services it's costly because a swimming pool should be cleaned at a minimum, weekly.
A dirty pool can be a health hazard for you and anyone who ventures into the polluted water. Pool water that looks blue can actually be filled with bacteria if you don't know how to properly keep your pool clean.
To get started you need to purchase pool cleaning tools and pool chemicals. You can find all of the items at a neighborhood pool supply store or online. Just like your home, your pool needs to be cleaned with cleaning products and some elbow grease. -
Step 2
Listed below are the basic tools to start with:
>leaf/bug skimmer with long removable handle
>pool vacuum and flexible tubing
>wall brush
The first step is to use the leaf/bug skimmer to clean the pool surface. The leaf/bug skimmer is a net stretched inside a form (usually square in shape). Stand at the edge of the pool and lower the skimmer onto the water surface. Submerge part of the net under water and drag the net over the surface of the pool. The net will catch floating debris. To remove the debris lift the skimmer out of the water, swing it over the side of the pool, turn it upside down and knock off the debris.
When you've completed the skimming connect the pool vacuum to the filter using the long flexible hose included with the vacuum. If necessary, switch the long handle from the skimmer to the vacuum head. Follow the vacuum-filter connection instructions carefully to avoid air bubbles from forming in the hose which will interrupt the filter operation. Slowly vacuum the bottom of the pool liner. It's important to work slowly because quick movements will stir up fine dirt particles that will settle again on the bottom just as you think that you're done. Vacuuming can be done while standing outside the pool or while standing in the pool. I'm not very tall and my arm's are short so I find it more comfortable to vacuum in the pool. It's also more comfortable on a very hot day!
After the vacuuming's complete, stand on your pool deck or on the pool ladder. Look down at the pool from this bird's eye view. You want to inspect for visible algae. Yes...in addition to bacteria a pool can also harbor algea. There's different types of pool algae, with a couple being black algae and yellow algae. If you see some discoloration on the pool floor after vacuuming, chances are it's algae which can't be vacuumed. Algae also grows on the pool walls.
The purpose of the wall brush is to scrub away the algae. If there isn't much algae you can just scrub it with the brush. If there's a lot of algae or it's a really unhealthy type you can use an algae cleaner with or without scrubbing. It's simple to use the wall brush. Disconnect the long handle from the pool vacuum or skimmer and attach it to the wall brush. Then start scrubbing the vinyl; don't dig into it or it can tear then you'll have to patch it. -
Step 3
Now that you're finished with the sweat work it's time to add the chemicals. Adding the appropriate amount of chemicals and making chemical adjustments is the first step to having a clean pool. It protects swimmers from harmful bacteria such as eColi and it discourages algae growth. Listed below are the basic chemicals needed to keep a clean pool:
pool water test kit
chlorine
pH
Chlorine disinfects/sanitizes water. Pool water can become contaminated with bacteria that can sicken people. The Centers for Disease Control list four germs that can be found in pools: E. coli 0157:H7, Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Shigella.
Chlorine comes in tablets, sticks and granules. It also comes in liquid form (bleach) but these days most people purchase one of the solid forms.
Pool water test kits come in test strips, vials with drops and tablets. Test the pool water according to kit directions. The results will tell you if your pool needs more or less chlorine and more or less pH.
The amount of pH in pool water directly impacts on the chlorine level. An unbalanced pH level will lessen the effectiveness of chlorine.
Chlorine and pH go hand in hand. Don't be fooled when someone tells you they never test the pH. When I'm told this I make a mental note to never swim in their pool; it's probably not a clean pool.
You've just learned the important basics to cleaning and maintaining an above ground pool. If you keep up with the basics you'll have a clean and healthy pool that's a pleasure to look at and safe to swim in.
