We all believe we are doing a good job of maintaining our pools, but are we actually?
Pools are a significant investment for any home, and keeping it properly maintained and clean will ensure that you can enjoy your investment for the years to come. It’s important to be prepared and know how to take care of your pool in the best way because otherwise, an ill-maintained pool can be a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and even mosquitoes. You wouldn’t want to swim in that, now would you?
Below, some general pool maintenance tips from our experts here at Pool Assist to make sure that you’re on the ball with maintaining your pool!
- Skim the surface and remove floating debris such as insects and leaves
Long handled pool skimmers are an overlooked tool that can actually save you a lot of time later. By keeping your pool free from floating debris as regularly as you can, you won’t have to spend as much time removing them from the bottom of the pool. While your built-in skimmer helps to keep foreign objects from circulating in your pool water, grabbing a long handled pool skimmer will aid in keeping everything clear and safe to swim in. Robotic and suction pool cleaners can help with this, but ultimately if you see larger debris, it’s always best to remove them when you can.
- Invest in a good filtration system
Good filtration systems keep your pool water circulating properly. Made up of a pool pump, filter, and skimmer, these use power to keep your pool water moving, filtering the water to keep it clean and safe to swim in. Make sure to keep an eye on your pool filter, too! Pool filters should be left to run for nothing less than 8 hours a day. For cartridge filters, clean these a minimum of 2-4 times a year. Sand filters require backwashing once a week.
- Get yourself a pool sweep
Like a vacuum cleaner, but for your pool, pool sweeps or cleaners remove debris as they roam your pool. This helps to get the smaller bits of debris and saves you time and energy. A good pool maintenance tip: it’s important to leave your sweeps on long enough to do a proper job of keeping your pool clean: that is, anywhere between 2 and 4 hours.
- Make the most of the sunlight
For those with solar powered energy, be sure to run your pool heating system between 10 am and 5 pm to make the most of the sunlight. If you wish to cool your pool down, run the solar power at night time.
- Keep an eye on the water levels
During summer, pools can lose up to half an inch of water a day, so be sure to set a timer to ensure you don’t forget that your pool water is on. It’s a general rule that water levels should be at the mid-tile line, or in the middle of the skimmer opening for some pools.
- Make use of your filtering system properly
Having a party or a get-together? If you’ve got a large group of people swimming, remember that pool filters should run at a maximum of 8 hours per day, so it’s a good idea to add a little extra chlorine to keep your pool water healthy and clean. This is a great pool maintenance tip that’ll keep your pool water healthy and clean, especially after a party. And don’t forget to test that your heater is working properly beforehand, too! There’s nothing worse than jumping into an ice cold pool.
- Use pool covers responsibly
Pool covers are amazing when it comes to keeping your pool clean, your chemical levels up to standard, and your heating costs down. But it’s important to note that pool covers shouldn’t be left on top of the pool for weeks on end, especially during the summer. If you are using a bubble cover over your pool, be sure to let the pool breathe at least once a week throughout the year. Remove the pool cover for a whole day. As the hot weather can heat up the water, the cover can easily trap and feed algae in your pool, which can be harmful. Keep your pool water healthy by giving your pool some time to breathe.
At Pool Assist, we’ve got a team of experts that are well-versed in everything about pools. With years of experience servicing pools all over the Perth area, we’ve got your back when it comes to maintaining your pool . If you’re looking for practical pool maintenance tips, high-quality pool maintenance and repair, or even just advice and good pool products to keep your pool in tip top shape, don’t hesitate to give us a call.