A Guide on Pool Care that Will Bring Everyone to Your Yard

The proper pool care regimen will keep your pool water clear and ready for the occasion and steps for pool perfection are here to explore.

03/02/2022

 

 

 

A pool is a centerpiece of any home landscape and can make your summer days much more enjoyable. A proper pool care regimen will keep the water clear and ready for the occasion. The steps for pool perfection are here to explore.

 

Essential Maintenance

Skimming the surface, scrubbing the walls, and vacuuming the debris are integral to getting a pool back to working order.

Skimming the surface daily with a skimming net will keep a lot of gunk off the bottom of the pool. It will also help the filter work more efficiently.

A quick scrub with a hard-bristled nylon brush keeps algae and bacteria from gaining a foothold. For concrete walls and lips, use a stainless-steel brush.

Vacuuming should get done as needed, but a general guideline is 1-3 times per week. Heavy debris needs to be done manually with a skimming net. Once that is completed, a robotic vacuum can handle much of the pool care.

It is best to turn the jet nozzles downward as this gives the clearest view of the bottom.

 

Water Circulation

Proper water circulation is the most fundamental element of pool care. The pool’s circulation system is what filters the water, and maintaining it is highly important No matter the type of system, all pool filtration, and circulation systems require upkeep.

 

• Run the Pump

The best thing for optimum pool maintenance is to run the pump 10-12 hours per day at regular intervals. Consistent circulation mitigates algae growth and provides constant clean water for the pool.

 

• Clear the Skimmer Basket

The skimmer is the rectangular door that sucks water into the filtration and circulation system. It needs cleaning 1-3 times a week. Cleaning the skimmer basket takes just a few simple steps:

 

  • Turn off the pump
  • Remove the skimmer basket. It is under the lid
  • Empty debris from the basket
  • Return the basket to the skimmer
  • Turn the pump back on

 

• Backwash or Clean the Filter

Today, most pools have either diatomaceous earth (DT) backwash systems or cartridge filter systems. Backwashing the system or cleaning the filter should be done when:

 

  • The filter pressure gauge reads 9-10 psi higher than normal
  • The water is becoming cloudy

 

Cartridge filter systems require cleaning when this happens. Consult the filter system manufacturer’s guidelines, but the general steps involve shutting off the pump, emptying the filter catcher into the garbage, replacing the filter catcher, and turning the [pump back on.

For DE filter systems, a backwash will clean out the filtering. Turning the pump to backwash will carry all the DE and debris into a bag, which then is emptied and put back or replaced as needed.

 

Chemicals

Proper chemical balance is something to monitor consistently and is essential to keeping the pool healthy for everyone and free of unwanted growth.

Keeping a pool crystal clear requires very specific chemical balances. Any imbalance can lead to an undesirable pool environment.

 

  Chlorine: Adding Chlorine breaks down bacteria and sanitizes the water.

 

  pH: improper pH balance can cause myriad issues. The ideal pH level is around 7.5

 

  Alkalinity: 120-150 ppm is recommended to avoid staining or cloudy water

 

  Phosphates: Green or cloudy water could mean too many Phosphates. This can be handled with Phosphate remover

 

  Calcium: 200-400 ppm is best for a pool’s health. Too much can cause deposits, and too little can compromise a pool’s finish.

 

Shock the Pool

Shocking a pool involves flushing all the lines with sanitizer to kill off any lingering bacteria. It is recommended to shock the pool every couple of weeks or after big storms, algae breakouts, or any other acute contamination.

 

Parting Thoughts

With a little bit of regular attention and maintenance, a backyard pool will continue to impress, refresh, and entertain for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

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