How to Keep a Pool Clean
A backyard swimming pool is a great way to cool off in the summer and a wonderful centerpiece for summer cookouts. You may not think about all the effort it takes to clean a pool. There are some steps you can take on a daily or weekly basis to keep your pool clean. That way when it does come time to do a heavy cleaning, it won't take nearly as much effort to get the job done. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Leaf rake net
- Pool brush
- Broom and dust pan
- Garden hose with sprayer nozzle
- Test tube
- pH strips
- Rubber gloves (if needed)
- Sodium hypochlorite (if needed)
Instructions
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1
Use your leaf rake net every night just as it starts getting dark. It's easier to see what's in the pool when you're not dealing with glare off the water. Skim the net along the water's surface to pull out any leaves or other large debris so they don't get caught in the filter.
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2
Wipe the walls and floor once a week with your pool brush. Brush the walls first, using a downward motion, to remove any dust and mildew. Then wipe the floor of the pool starting with the shallow end. Push all of the debris toward the deep end. Use your net to skim it out or push it into your automatic drain. (Never hit the drain with the head of the broom.)
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3
Sweep the deck or patio area around the pool every other day, starting at the pool's edge and moving away from it. That way anything you sweep will not end up in the water.
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4
Put the sprayer nozzle on your garden hose and spray down the deck or patio once a week, again moving away from the pool. This will take care of any dust or dirt you couldn't pick up with the broom.
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5
Test the water once a week. Fill your test tube halfway with water from your pool. Then add a pH strip. Wait two minutes and check the results. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6 to inhibit the growth of algae and discourage stains. If it's not, adjust your water composition by adding sodium hypochlorite until you get the desired pH. You may have to test the water several times.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use a pool vacuum for step two instead of a broom. Just make sure you always keep the nozzle under the water when it's turned on. Get sodium hypochlorite at your local pool supply store.
Don't let children help you clean the pool. There's a risk that they could get hurt or fall in. Always wear gloves when you work with pool chemicals. Some of them can burn your skin.
