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.