Weekly Maintenance Guide For Home Pools
Swimming pools are a point of pride for many homeowners. It aids in maintaining a healthy fitness regimen despite busy schedules and enhances the charm of your home during parties and get-togethers. It also provides a good place for you to relax, unwind, and have a fun weekend.
After installing a swimming pool, a really important element that one has to keep in mind is its maintenance. Proper maintenance is necessary for a swimming pool to avoid issues like algal build-up, contaminated water, and damaged structures. A responsible swimming pool owner should try to maintain and clean their swimming pool on a weekly basis. There are eight tips that you can follow to keep your swimming pool beautiful and clean.
Steps to maintain your pool weekly
It takes a lot of commitment and effort to keep your swimming pool clean, but with just a bit of knowledge, it will be easier to maintain the pool all year. The important steps to complete while cleaning and maintaining your pool weekly include:
Skim off dirt, debris, and leaves
It is important to clean the dirt, debris and leaves to keep the pool sparkling and to avoid health and hygiene-related issues. Skimming can be done daily, but it is an absolute must during your weekly cleaning sessions. Use a leaf skimmer with a long handle to remove any floating material from the swimming pool’s surface, including leaves, pollen clumps, insects, and other objects. If any debris reaches the bottom of the swimming pool, it will be more challenging to remove it, and it may even leave stains. Removing debris at least on a weekly basis will prevent this from happening.
(Is a swimming pool a good investment? Find out here!)
If the pool is located near big trees, it is advisable to trim these trees to limit the number of leaves, branches, and other debris falling into the pool. It only takes a few minutes to skim the pool’s surface. But, it keeps your pool water crystal clear, sparkly and beautiful. Also, if the dirt, debris, and leaves are skimmed off weekly, they will not have a chance to clog the pool filtration system.
Clean the pool deck
Keeping the pool water free from debris and leaves is not enough to keep the pool clean. You should also regularly clean your pool deck. Your pool deck will also have fallen leaves or branches on it that can reach your pool when there is wind. Sometimes, climbing into the pool water from a dirty deck can make the water dirty. Improper maintenance of the pool deck can also lead to the breakdown of pool deck materials, causing unwanted accidents.
Sweep your pool deck at least weekly or twice a week to clear off all the fallen debris. For concrete and wood decks, use a diluted vinegar solution or oxygenated bleach to get rid of moss, algae, and similar growth. If the deck is really dirty, you can use dish soap for cleaning. You can also use pressure washing to clean the deck.
Brush your pool walls
The walls of the swimming pool and accessories like slides and ladders can get covered in algae and bits of dirt. Every week, brush the fixtures and walls of your swimming pool to remove debris and stop the growth of algae. With a brush, clean the debris that has accumulated at the bottom and sides of the pool. Remember to brush the slides, the ladder, and any other accessories you may have in your pool. Push sediment towards the main drain to make the vacuuming easier. Also, remember to brush those sections of the pool that cannot be easily reached, like corners, waterlines, and crevices.
Find out whether fibreglass pools can be saltwater or not here!
Vacuum your pool
If any debris has floated to the pool’s bottom, it can be vacuumed out after you have brushed the walls. You can vacuum your pool either manually or by using an automatic cleaner. Automatic cleaners aid in water circulation in addition to sucking up debris.
Clean skimmer and filter
You should empty your skimmer once a week, or more frequently if necessary. Emptying the skimmer will allow it to function more effectively, capturing the bulk of debris that enters your pool. You should also frequently check the water level in your pool. Debris won’t be efficiently gathered if the level is higher than halfway up the skimmer.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for filter cleaning and maintenance. Clean out any dirt that may have accumulated in your pool filter every week.
Keep the pump running
Running the pool pump 24/7 is good for your swimming pool. It will make sure that the pool water is adequately filtered and that the chemicals operate efficiently. If you cannot operate your pump every day for 24 hours, ensure that it runs for at least eight hours.
Keep your pool chemicals optimal
Test the pool water at least weekly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for chemical treatments. You can add chemicals like sanitisers and disinfectants to the pool daily to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae. Remember to check the chlorine and pH levels of your pool weekly. Regular shock treatments are also required to clear the water of any algae, germs, debris, organic matter, and other contaminants. Do the shock treatments according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After shocking your pool, you can also apply an algaecide. Add additional chemicals based on your manufacturer’s instructions to remove scale and rust.
Backwashing
Backwash your pool filter weekly if you regularly use your pool. You can also backwash once the filter gauge shows 8–10 psi above average. It is always better to backwash less.
Conclusion
A swimming pool in the backyard is a dream come true for many homeowners. It not only adds beauty to the backyard but also increases the value of your property. By having a proper weekly maintenance schedule for your pool, you can keep it clean and beautiful. Maintaining the pool regularly will not only make it beautiful but prevent health issues and increase the lifespan of the swimming pool. Also, remember to seek professional help at least once a year to check the overall state of the pool.
