Whether you’re an experienced commercial operator with years of pool service experience or you’re just beginning to open your own pool for the first time, taking the right start steps is critical for keeping your swimming pool in top shape during the off-season. If your pool has been winterized correctly, opening it for the new season should be relatively easy. But even the best-prepared pool owners can run into problems if they don’t take the right precautions right from the get-go. By keeping a few simple swimming pool maintenance tips in mind you can ensure that your swimming pool is ready to go when you are.
The most basic of swimming pool maintenance tips involves testing the pH levels and alkalinity of the water. If the balance of these two chemicals is out of whack, problems may result. Even the slightest of changes in pH or the amount of both chemicals in the water can upset the balance. To test the pH of the water, simply add some test strips to the pool and keep them in the water for a full 24 hours. Once you’ve determined that the balance is correct, make a note of the results. This will allow you to have a more easily spot-check next year, should you need to maintain the same balance.
Alkalinity is also important to check for. An alkaline pH level in the pool means that the chemicals in the water are more similar to water at sea level, allowing chemicals to dissolve and be eliminated more quickly. If the pool water is more acidic than the natural sea level, however, it means that there may be too much chlorine being used to keep things balanced. If this is the case, add a little bit more chlorine each time through the water filtration system so you can achieve the correct ph level.
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your swimming pool, routine maintenance schedules are key to keeping it in good working order. There are a number of tools and products on the market to help you with routine maintenance schedules. A quality pool cleaner, such as the Oxy-Xpress system from Purel, can be used for a variety of pool cleaning tasks and can even be used on an annual maintenance schedule to help keep algae at bay. Some other options include a fine-toothed sponge in the shape of a broom, pool skimmer netting, a regular weed-killer spray, and a special biodegradable floating cover.
The final step of cleaning a swimming pool involves using a fine-toothed comb to skim the surface. Scrub the floor, walls, deck, steps, and other accessories with the comb. If necessary, use a vacuum to get rid of the most stubborn pieces of debris. Use the fine-toothed comb to skim any small debris or plants that are not wanted by you. Once you have skimmed all areas, you can use your skimmer to clear out more debris, such as branches, grasses, and rocks. Once the entire area has been cleared, spray your pool with a whitewash solution to help keep algae from growing in the future.
When you are finished, rinse your pool filter with a large water hose. Catch all the large debris with a net or a shovel. Using a powerful fan, remove the filter from the system, and dispose of it carefully. With the aid of a professional pool maintenance company, you can enjoy hours of fun swimming in your backyard pool.