A swimming pool is a costly investment for any household and it only stands to reason that one would want to do everything possible to maintain its cleanliness. Proper care of the pool and its equipment will ensure an enjoyable swim all season long.
One essential requirement for proper pool maintenance is that the pool volume be known. This is very important in keeping the pool clean, because the water volume is what the chemical usage is based on. Make sure you use test kits to measure the elements in your pool; you should always rinse the test kits between each reading to get the most consistent test results. The four main elements of free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness should be tested for on a regular basis.
The pH levels determine the water’s acidity and should be within the range of 7.2 to 7.6. Total alkalinity is the water’s ability to maintain a proper pH level and should be in the range of 100 ppm (parts per million) to 120 ppm, and calcium hardness is the measurement of the amount of calcium in the water. It should have a range of 200 ppm to 400 ppm. The free chlorine is what kills the bacteria and algae and eliminates grease or oil from the water. If the free chlorine is too low then a shock treatment is needed. This is nothing more than a high concentration of chlorine.
Weekly maintenance involves testing the water and determining which chemicals need added. A clean pool is the result of proper weekly maintenance and accurate chemical balance. A weekly shock treatment will eliminate most problems associated with a pool. This will cure problems that may arise from bad rain storms, algae growth, slimy water, odor, or too many swimmers.
Aside from chemical balance, there are some basic tools that are also needed to help maintain pool cleanliness. Invest in good tools such as a skimmer, a pool vacuum, and brushes to clean the walls, floor, and tile.
Daily maintenance requires you to clean debris such as leaves and bugs out of the pool and to empty the skimmer baskets. The walls and floors should be cleaned using a vacuum and the appropriate brushes. Maintenance after a storm involves the same steps as above, but the vacuuming may need to be done a couple of times.
The steps you take to close your pool also determine how clean it will be when you re-open it for the summer. If done properly, there should not be much extra work involved at all. Of course, keep in mind that the difference in warm and cold climates dictates how one should close his pool for the season.
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