How to Clean and Maintain Pools and Services
Pools come with quite a bit of upkeep. Regular cleaning is required, as well as chemical monitoring to keep the water at the appropriate pH, sanitation and circulation levels. Once it's cleaned, maintenance is essential throughout the season, from the time you open the pool in the spring to the time you close it in the fall. While services are available for hire, you can save a lot of money by tackling the task yourself -- as long as you have the proper tools and are dedicated to a maintenance schedule. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Brush the pool walls once a week. Use a stiff-bristle brush on concrete pools and a soft-bristled brush on fiberglass-, tiled- and vinyl-walled pools. For algae buildup, use a steel bristled brush (unless you have a vinyl pool). Attach the brush to its telescopic pole and remove residue such as algae and calcium. Scrub from the shallow end to the deep end, using strokes that overlap. Work in a circle, leading the dirt into the main pool drain.
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Skim debris such as leaves and bugs from the water's surface. Do this every day. Use a pool cover if your pool sits beneath many trees and is prone to a lot of debris.
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Perform a pH test daily to monitor the chemical levels. The correct chemical balance keeps the water clean and sanitized. The ideal pH level is between 7.2 and 7.8. If it falls below 7.0, the water is corrosive or acidic, and needs boosting with a base. Water above 7.8 is alkaline and needs some acid to lower the pH. Add the necessary chemicals to maintain balance.
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Vacuum the pool once a week. Overlap slightly to ensure you don't miss any dirt or debris.
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Empty the baskets in the strainer once a week. Check them more often, though, because they may become full of debris on windy days. Lift them from their holders and dump the contents. The water will circulate better with empty baskets.
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Look over the pump every day. This piece of equipment is responsible for filtering the water and keeping it circulating. A clogged filter causes cloudy water. Ensure the water flows freely through it. If not, replace the filter.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider using a cover on your pool to save energy. It cuts down on water evaporation by 90 to 95 percent.
References
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