Maintaining swimming pools
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Maintaining swimming pools
Many people buy or rent houses with a swimming pool or consider adding a swimming pool to their property. In most cases people do not realize the amount of maintenance pools require. Having an in- ground pool is a big responsibility and if you want to enjoy the benfits of owning a pool then you have to maintain it correctly.
pH level of your pool
It is very important that you maintain the correct pH balance and alkaline balance in any pool. You can buy yourself a pool water testing kit at most hardware stores or supermarkets. You would then use it to test the pH, alkaline and levels.
The ideal chlorine level should be between 0.5 -3 PPM as this will prevent algae and bacteria growth. The alkaline level should be between 80- 120 PPM and the pH level should ideally be between 7.2- 7.6 PPM.
Controlling algae in your pool
The fact that algae spreads and grows quite quickly makes it very difficult to get rid off. This is why prevention is so important. To prevent algae growth you have to add chemicals to your pool water other than those used for chlorination. It is vital that you stick to the manual or instructions exactly when adding these chemicals. The chemicals have to be added in the correct proportions to effectively keep your pool clean but at the same time be safe for swim in.
It would also be a good idea to regularly shock your pool. It is recommended that you do this shock treatment every two weeks to get rid of water- soluble bather waste. Of course you would not have to do that frequently if the pool is not in use.
Brushing the pool regularly prevents any algae growth on the walls and floor of the pool. It is vital that you brush and vacuum your swimming on a regular basis. This is because pumps cannot get rid of dirt that has sunk to the bottom of the pool.
Area around the pool
It is important to try to keep the area around the pool clear of anything that could fall or blow into it. For example, if you have a few trees in the back yard make to rake the leaves up daily preventing them from being blown into your pool. If you live in a particularly windy area perhaps it would be a good idea to cover the pool when not in use. This prevents large amounts of dirt and sand to be blown into your pool. By making sure the area around the pool is clean, you would save yourself the effort of having to clean the pool that much more often.
By doing these small things regularly you would be able to maintain your pool well. Pools require constant maintenance and should you neglect this for as little as a few days, you would have the bigger job or cleaning up your own backyard swamp complete with mosquitoes.
All about pool maintenance
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When many people move into a house with a pool or think about building a pool on their property they rarely realize how much effort is involved in pool maintenance. If you are consistent with your maintenance program however, your pool can be in excellent condition all year round. Certain products and pool accessories are available that can make maintaining a pool easier.
Maintaining your pool
Always maintain your chlorine levels at 1-3 ppm. It is important to note that the chlorine tablet should never just be left in the skimmer as this will cause a high concentration of chlorine water to flow through your plumbing and this can cause erosion. Always place the floating feeder or tablet in the pool so that tit is diluted by the time it passes through the plumbing.
The pH level of the water in your pool is vitally important. The pH level should be between 7.6 and 7.8. If you let the pH level drop to low the water could become corrosive and damage your pool equipment. If the pH level is too high, it could cause scale buildup on your pool tiles. Check the pH levels once weekly at the least if the pool is used often and once monthly in the off season.
It would be a good idea to monitor calcium hardness once a year. Your calcium levels should be between 150 and 250 ppm. Calcium can cause cloudiness, corrosion and unsightly buildup in the pool. All your water levels can be checked by most pool shops if you take them a sample of the water. They would also then be able to recommend products and methods that need to be used to correct any problems.
Tips and advice
A pool cover can be a wonderful investment. It prevents evaporation of the water so you would not have to fill the pool as often. It also acts as an insulator and keeps the pool warmer which means you would not have to heat the water as often as well. This will save you quite a bit of money in your utility bills. When you put the pool cover over the pool when it is not in use it also prevents any dirt and debris from falling into the pool. This saves you a lot of effort because you would not have to clean and vacuum the pool as often.
Always make sure your pressure gauge is working properly. High pressure readings would mean the filter needs to be cleaned as this places strain on the pool pump and result in a less efficient filtering system.
The most important thing to bear in mind though is that by maintaining your pool regularly, you can prevent algae from growing and would save yourself the massive effort of dealing with a green pool. Also, if there is a storm, always remember to remove any dirt and debris from the water immediately after. While pool maintenance is a lot of work, if you work smartly you should be able to enjoy your pool more.
Pool maintenance, a necessity
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A swimming pool is a nice luxury to have, and can add a lot to a family’s lifestyle. In some cases having a pool has actually become a necessity rather than ‘a nice to have.’ One thing that will always ensure that you and your family get to enjoy fully the benefits of having a swimming pool is proper pool maintenance. In fact, this should be part of overall cleaning and maintenance of your property, because it will ensure that the pool in not overlooked.
Maintaining a clean pool ensures that the health of your family is protected; there is a lot of harmful organisms and bacteria that can be found in a poorly maintained pool – and this can become deceiving at times because these harmful organisms and bacteria are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye, so cleaning it regularly will give you peace of mind knowing that your family can enjoy fun in the sun and water without you having to worry about something going wrong with their health as a result.
Pool maintenance adding to the overall value of the property
A clean pool will add to the overall value of the property, while also adding to the overall appearance of the property as well: it helps to think about such things regularly because, should you want to sell your property, you will not have to worry about doing a major cleaning job on your pool at the eleventh hour, especially because doing it like that will likely be very expensive, and you might not have the extra money that’s going to be needed for that.
Regular pool maintenance also helps take away the inconvenience of having to clean the pool first every time you want to use it. This can be an annoyance because usually when one wants to use the pool is because they are tired and just want to relax – so you can imagine the inconvenience of having to start by doing something you are not looking forward to and your body not prepared to do.
Pool maintenance options one can go for
The size of your pool and how deep your pocket is will usually determine the option you can go for. It will also depend on how fussy you are about things such as perfection and thoroughness. Although the popular view will be that the bigger pool maintenance companies will do a good job, it is probably a good idea to first shop around a little bit to see if you can maybe find cheaper services offered by much smaller service providers.
Doing pool maintenance yourself is also not a bad idea. This is especially so if you are the kind of person that is big on things such as perfection and thoroughness; all this will leave you with the feeling that everything was done satisfactorily, and will give you the confidence that your family will be safe using the pool – and it will also save you money too.
The Mantra of Pool Maintenance
The summer months have arrived, and with them, almost carnal, the basic human need for the sweet relief of a shimmering, crystal clear and temperate swimming pool.
We all delight in the recreational pastimes offered by our pools but often dread the thought of having to maintain that shimmer, that clarity, that wonderful welcoming blue.
But with chemicals, brushes, floaters, pipes, pumps and ph all contributing to a growing stress level, valuable summertime play is set aside, and the pool becomes an item of work; no longer the symbol of summer time fun which, of course, is its purpose.
However, pool preservation need not be the summer dampener many feel it to be, and maintaining a quality swimming pool is as easy as repeating a four-step mantra.
Pool Maintenance requires you Chlorinate:
Every pool is susceptible to algae and bacterial infestation. Chlorinating your pool rids it of these silent assassins; the primary cause of the green, inhospitable, unwelcoming pool.
Easy as a weekend bomb dive, a sprinkle of chlorine once a week is sure to ward off those ‘green meanies’ and keep your pool a paradise oasis.
Be sure though, to maintain your pool’s balance. Pools in regions with heavier instances of thunderstorms, as well as pools that are used often, may be in danger of suffering sudden bouts of PH level imbalances, making them open to algae and bacterial attacks. In this case, more frequent doses of chlorine may be necessary.
Pool Maintenance requires you Sanitize:
Sanitizing your pool works in conjunction with its chlorination. However, sanitization is a daily task and involves a more thorough check of your pool’s chemical balance and its overall clarity and sparkle.
Requiring no more than a few minutes a day, a quick check of your pool’s sanitation should save you time, money and precious pool equipment.
Pool Maintenance requires you Balance:
As stated earlier, your pool’s chemical balance ensures its clarity and health. Combining regular chlorination with daily checks, should guarantee you a pool as welcoming and pleasant as the first day of spring.
In addition, a balanced pool should work with you as its cleanliness alone will ensure minimal strain on filtration systems, saving you on equipment wear and tear.
Pool Maintenance requires you Sweep:
It’s not hard to see, then, that your pool’s well-being depends on a regular regime of chlorination and ph balance checks. However, these methods seldom rid those shimmering depths of all unsightly debris.
There comes a time when you must take up arms in the form of pool brushes or nets, and do your part in clearing the excess leaves or the built-up grime that can remain after the chemicals have done their part.
There you have it: chlorinate, sanitize, balance, sweep. Follow this simple mantra, and your pool will remain the summertime treat it was meant to be. Just a few minutes a day, and your pool’s health and well-being will last throughout the summer months.
Take the plunge, take care of your pool and enjoy unlimited fun in the summer sun.
Warm Weather Pool Maintenance Tips
by James Matthews
Depending on where you live, most pool owners look forward to the warm weather all year long. Some are luckier than others with longer warm weather seasons, but not matter where you live; the long and hot days are probably a big part of what prompted you to want a pool in the first place.
Warmer weather typically means more people are using your pool, and it is important to remember that your pool needs additional maintenance at this time of the year. Here are some quick tips to help you keep your pool sanitized and clean all summer long so you can get maximum enjoyment.
Warm weather tips for maintaining your pool:
- Add chemicals during the evening, not during the day. This is especially true for liquid chlorine. Less of the chemicals will evaporate off, so you will be able to adjust the balance of the pool more easily this way and get more of an adjustment from the same amount of the chemical.
- Double your maintenance efforts, especially when it comes to checking the pool’s chemistry. Between the higher temperatures and more people in the pool, the chemistry is likely to shift more frequently and more significantly than during rest of the year.
- Make additional adjustments to filtering and other systems as necessary. With the additional demands on the pool, the filter may need to be cleaned more often or simply run for more hours each day.
- Add more water. You should be checking the water level pretty regularly anyway, because the systems that filter and regulate the pool need the water level to be high enough so that they do not push air through the system instead of the water. With greater heat, more water evaporates than normal, so you may need to add significantly more water during the summer than during the rest of the year.
- Consider hiring a pool service. During the summer, people travel more often, schedules change regularly, and it can be easy to slip up on pool maintenance. It is much more of a hassle to correct a major imbalance than to simply maintain the correct pH. And don’t forget, the less time you have to spend maintaining the pool, the more time you can spend enjoying it, so why not let someone else do the work?
Remember, as with most household related items, regular maintenance is the key to avoiding inconvenience later or even costly problems. If you follow these tips, you should be able to enjoy your pool as long as the weather allows you to – no matter where you live!
About the Author
To learn more about swimming pool maintenance in and around metro New Orleans, contact Pleasure Pools. As the largest locally-owned Louisiana pool builder in the greater New Orleans area, you can trust the experience and knowledge of the staff at Pleasure Pools.
Swimming Pool Maintenance
How to Properly Care for Your Pools
by Ernesto Maitim
Enjoying the cool waters of your swimming pool on a particularly hot day is surely a great delight. However, if not taken care of properly, your pool can become a major headache. It should be noted that pools, whether they are above ground swimming pool or the in ground type, need serious maintenance work and consequently major amount of your money and time.
By having a pool, you become responsible with keeping and maintaining its cleanliness. Likewise you must also make sure that you and your family is safe when using it. Do not worry much as swimming pool maintenance does not really require hard labor or too much time. Just make sure that you do the maintaining process right. Simply do regular pool maintenance and you will keep it safe and healthy to use all year round.
You must check on the balance of chemicals that should be present in the waters regularly. Too much chemicals such as chlorine or alkaline can be detrimental to a swimmer’s health and so it is a must that the right amount of chemicals should be added to the water.
Swimming pool maintenance also means that the waters are clear of unwanted objects that might possibly cause injury to the swimmers. The water should be clear and not cloudy in appearance. Filtering of the water must be done on a regular basis. This will help the chemicals to move about, keeping the water healthy and safe.
If it is not possible for you to do swimming pool maintenance, you might as well hire a qualified pool cleaning expert. Pool cleaners can be expensive, albeit generally they do the cleaning task well, ensuring clean, clear water and the balance of chemicals. With the able help of competent pool cleaner, you are assured of a well-maintained swimming pool throughout the year.
For more interesting articles and discussions on pools such as swimming pool leak repair, do visit our Swimming Pools for You blog.
About the Author
Writer, abstractor and blogger.
The Benefits of Solar Pool Heating
Living in a warm climate and having a swimming pool in your back garden is a blissful combination. Blissful that is, until your pool starts showing signs of dirt and grime as its sparkly inviting look starts diminishing. In fact, one of the most commonly known complaints by pool owners is the nuisance of the water turning cloudy and uninviting. The reason for this is actually hard to determine as many factors can come into play. We will look at these possible causes so that you can start you pool maintenance on the right note and prevent such problems occurring in the future.
Pool maintenance – always check your filter
Cloudy water can become a problem if your filter is not working efficiently enough. If your filter is too small then you can be at risk of developing cloudy water. The only solution to this is investing in a larger filter. Also be sure that the filtering cycle is not too short. A short filtering cycle could mean that not all your water is being filtered all the time. Your Creepy Crawly needs to run for a long enough period so that each area of your pool has been adequately covered. As a rough estimate your filter needs to be in proportion to the volume of water in your swimming pool so that your pool pumps works your entire pool between 8 and 10 hours. Make sure that, should you have a timer, you set the time clock for long enough each day.
Logically, the first port of call when your water is developing a cloudy hue is to check the working order of your filter. If there are any broken parts, if you filter is clogged or simply not filtering particles that are small enough then this should be addressed. Always keeps a regular eye on the condition of your filter to prevent such problems happening in the first place. Try not to attempt fixing broken parts as they will more than likely simple break again. It is more effective in the long run to replace the necessary parts with new ones. If you notice the pressure rising above your normal running pressure then it is a sign your filter needs to be cleaned.
Pool maintenance – right levels of chemicals in your pool
The chemicals to watch out for when it comes to pool maintenance is your chlorine level, pH range, total alkalinity and the total amount of dissolved solids. You can get home kits that will test the chemical balance in your pool water and will indicate where, if any, the imbalance lies.
Keep in mind that should you have a relatively new plaster pool, the calcium carbonate deposits that come off when cleaned will result in your pool looking cloudy. Outside factors can also be the cause of cloudy water such as overhanging trees, wind/rain storms, if there is any construction or dusty work being done nearby.
Cloudy water can become a frustrating problem which is why keeping up with your pool maintenance is very important. With regular, consistent check-ups you will be able to keep your pool looking clean and fresh for longer with no serious problems arising.
Basic pool maintenance
There is nothing to beat a clear cool pool on a hot summer day, and nothing more disappointing than a pool you cannot swim in on a hot summer day. There are a few basic tricks to ensuring your pool is clean and clear all year round.
Many people make use of pool maintenance companies to regularly check their pools and maintain the ph levels and water quality. However, this can be done without the expense of hiring a company, and requires very little skills.
Doing the pool maintenance yourself
Prevention is always better than the cure, and pools are no exception. Pools require regular maintenance to ensure they are clear and clean and ready for use. It is recommended to sped at least 20 minutes every day doing some basic maintenance activities which will help to keep your pool in good condition.
Cleaning leaf litter from the surface of the pool every second day will ensure the leaves do not collect at the bottom of the pool. Leaves and other garden debris at the bottom of the pool will cause algae to form and the pool to turn green as well as clog up your pool cleaning machines.
The weir should also be checked to ensure the leaf litter and garden debris has not collected in the weir to cause potential blockages.
At least once a week the pool should be backwashed. Backwashing keeps the water in the filter clean and prevents dirty water from re-entering the pool from the filter. This can be done on the pool pump simply by setting the pump on to backwash. Backwashing should be done until the water on the indicator is clear.
Remember to top up the water levels after backwashing to ensure the pool water is sufficient to cover the weir.
The PH level of the water should be checked once a week as well. There are a number of kits available which make this task easy. Ensuring the PH balance of the water is correct will assist in making maintaining the pool an easy task.
Salt water pools do not require the testing of the PH levels. Instead, they are equipped with a salt water chlorinator which will indicate when more salt is needed.
Pool maintenance and the environment
There are a lot of environmental factors that will affect the state of your pool. Often large amounts of rain or lightning and thunderstorms will cause the pool to turn green almost overnight. Sunlight encourages the growth of algae in the pool and it is recommended to have a pool cover when the pool is not in use. This will also help prevent the leaf litter and garden debris from filling the pool.
When these environmental factors affect your pool, it requires special treatment. It is recommended to have the water tested at your local pool shop. They will then provide you with the right additives and actions to restore your pool to clear blue water.