It’s that time of year again! The weathers cooking up, and you and your family are gearing up to take a much-deserved dip in the swimming pool. The pool provides ample opportunities for you and your kids to play outdoors for you to organize and host extravagant pool parties and, of course, lounge by the poolside while soaking up some rays.
However, before you and your little ones dip your toes in the water for a splash, whether you’ve owned a pool for years, you’ve just purchased a house with one or just had a new pool installed. The pool needs to be maintained and checked first to make sure it’s safe, free from bacteria, and in good condition before you and your closest take a dip.
Remove Debris From The Pool
Whether you cover your pool up over the colder months or not, the first important thing to do is remove any dirt and debris from in and around the pool area. The best time to do this is after you’ve finished maintaining, mowing, and sweeping the garden area and patio. In doing so, you’ll prevent other bits of leaves and grass from falling into the swimming pool. And before you dive into the pool to fish out inanimate objects such as leaves, twigs, and stones, use a net! When it’s clear of objects and debris, feel free to move on down to the next step. This goes for the smallest of pools, and even if you don’t have a full size pool, you’ll want to stay on top of keeping a kiddie pool clean.
Raise The Chlorine Level
If you’re a long time pool owner, the water may be looking a bit murky. To solve this issue, you’ll want to add additional chlorine to the water twice this summer, to kill unwanted bacteria. Raising the chlorine levels in the pool is referred to as “shocking.” But it’s essential to be mindful of how much you put in. Too much or too little could damage the pool liner and filter. To be on the safe side, run some warm water into a bucket, then mix your chlorine into the bucket first. Once it’s thoroughly stirred, pour it into the pool. Ensure you use protective gear such as gloves while handling chlorine. When the pool has been shocked, leave it for 24 hours before entering.
Check The Pool Pump and Filter
Pool pumps and filters are compulsory components that keep your pool filtered and free from harmful bacteria, to keep it healthy and clean. Ideally, you’ll want to buy a pump that runs all day every day throughout the summer. If your pool pump isn’t filtering the water properly, you may need to source a pool pump repairs professional to get the job fixed. A broken filter means you’re unable to use the pool until it’s repaired safely. If and once the filter is in good working order, aim to clean it at least once a week over the summer, to ensure optimum care of your pool. If you don’t clean the pump regularly, it’ll need to work much harder to clear the pool, and while clogged with debris – doing so can cause it to break much quicker.
Test The Water
The water in the pool needs to have the right chemical balance of alkalinity, PH level, and pool cleaner before you, your family, or friends enter. You can buy an easy-to-use water testing kit to check the chemicals in the pool, and you should aim to do this at least once a week. The chemical levels for a healthy pool are as follows;
- Alkaline levels: 80 to 120 ppm
- Chlorine or bromine – read the instructions on your chosen product to determine what level is needed
- PH level – the water should be neutral, between 7.4 to 7.6
The above simple tips provide the best ways to make sure your pool is safe for you and your family to enjoy this summer. We hope this helps!
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