The summer season means hosting pool parties for your friends and family to enjoy. But before you send out those invites, check your swimming pool first if it’s clean and safe to swim in. Read the following tips to learn more about taking care of your swimming pool.
Clean your pool
The most important task in taking care of your pool is cleaning it regularly. You want to make sure it’s free from any type of bacteria that may have formed in the water. Bacteria in your swimming pool could potentially cause infections and disease, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re hosting a pool party.
Start cleaning your pool by skimming off any fallen leaves and debris at the surface of the water. Then brush the sides of the pool, including the stairs and ladder. Use a vacuum to suck out dirt that has settled at the bottom of the pool. Add sanitizing chlorine tablets to rid your pool of any bacteria.
Cleaning a pool is lot of work. There are many resources online that can guide you in cleaning properly, like https://ultimatepoolguide.com. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and take advice from professionals.
Test your water
After skimming, brushing, and vacuuming your pool, it may look like it’s clean already, but it’s not. Proper pool maintenance always includes testing the water. You can buy a water test kit to determine the pH levels of your swimming pool. The ideal level is between 7.2 to 7.6. If you get numbers outside that range, you may have to use a pH reducer or increaser.
Another option is to get a water sample and take it to a professional water tester, usually at a swimming pool store. They will get important details like the alkalinity, water hardness, pH, and the chlorine levels from the water sample you provide.
Balance your chemicals
Based on the results you get from a water test, it’s time to balance the chemicals in your pool. If the pH falls below 7.2, use soda ash to increase it. If it’s above 7.6, you can use sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid to decrease it.
Water hardness is determined by calcium hardness. Ideally, it should be around 150ppm to 250ppm (parts per million). Use calcium chloride to adjust the hardness of your water. Soft water has a tendency to absorb calcium from its environment. In your swimming pool’s case, it will take calcium from the grout in the tiles, which ruins it.
Other metrics you should watch out for:
- Calcium hardness – 150ppm to 250ppm (parts per million)
- Chlorine levels – 1ppm to 3ppm
- Alkalinity levels – 80 to 120
Cover your pool
Swimming pool covers are important for different times of the year. It protects the water for any fallen leaves, litter, and debris that could be blown in. If you have children in the house, it’s advisable to get a safety cover. Safety nets help avoid anyone from accidentally running or falling into the pool.
Ensure proper maintenance
If you want an awesome pool party, always make sure to clean your swimming pool on a regular basis. Get the proper tools for skimming and brushing the water, and get advice on the best vacuum to use for cleaning the pool floor. Always make sure your filter is clean and functioning. Remove any clogs and clean it from grime and debris. Swimming pool filters are important parts to your swimming pool.
Skim your pool daily if it’s around a lot of trees, or cover it especially when it’s fall. Pool tiles are best cleaned on a weekly basis. Maintenance requires a lot of work, if it looks like too big of a job, you can always hire professionals!
Swimming is a great activity to relieve stress brought about by the summer heat. Make sure your pool is always clean and safe to jump into!