9 Swimming Pool Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

 It’s a dream for many people to have a pool in their garden. But it’s not a dream to have to deal with the cleaning and maintenance that come with keeping your pool in the best possible shape. Avoiding nasty chlorine smells and murky water can take some dedication, but it’s definitely worth the effort. So if you want to keep a perfect pool, here are nine cleaning and maintenance tips to help you out.

Skim debris every few days

The most obvious build-up of problems for your swimming pool is on the surface – leaves and other detritus can fall into the pool and will usually float at the surface at least for a while. But debris like this will sink if it is left too long and then it will be harder to clean out. So get into the habit of using a hand skimmer or a net every few days or any time that you notice significant debris. If this can become a routine for you, it will save you the challenge of more serious cleaning work further down the line.

Vacuum once a week

Another vital piece of regular maintenance you need to carry out is vacuuming. It can be very helpful to brush down the walls to prevent a build-up of algae, you can then use the vacuum to rid the floor of the pool of any debris that has sunk to the bottom. It’s relatively cheap to buy an automatic vacuum that requires you to do almost no work at all to keep the pool clean.

Balance your chemicals

Chemicals play an extremely important role in the cleanliness of your pool. If the balance of the chemicals is incorrect it can leave the water murky and, in especially bad cases, provide the perfect conditions for bacteria to breed. Test the water regularly and ensure that it means a healthy pH level. Testing kits are cheap and easy to use – a reading of anywhere between 7.2 and 7.8 on the pH scale is perfect.

Talk to your swimming pool builders about the chemical composition that they would recommend – this is often the best way to ensure a long life for your pool and to allow you to get the most enjoyment out of it.

Set a schedule for filter cleaning

As your pool filter is always there, just doing its job in the background it can be easy to forget. That’s why it is important to set a schedule for cleaning out your filters. However, remember that different filters require cleaning at different times – for some it’s actually beneficial to leave them for longer without cleaning. There are three different types of filters for pools: sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge. Once again it can be a good idea to talk to swimming pool professionals to get an understanding of how often you should clean out your filter.

Make sure people shower before using the pool

It’s the simple things that make the difference. It’s worth making sure that people know to take a shower before they get in. This can make it far easier to clean the pool for you. Make it a rule in the house that no-one is allowed to use the pool without having a shower first. And at this stage, it’s also to be noted that if you have a dog, you shouldn’t let it swim in the water. The chemicals in the water are bad for your dog’s skin and the filter can easily become clogged with dog hair.

Use a tennis ball

This is a bit of a strange one, but it really works. All sorts of residues including oil from sun cream and more will build up in the pool after a few uses. This can make the pool look dirty and murky. But there’s an easy way to rid the water of these unwanted chemicals – throw in a tennis ball. Just a standard tennis ball will soak up this residue and help to keep the pool clean.

Pay attention to the area around the pool

It a smart move to pay attention to the decking and the area around the pool. This can be a breeding ground for bacteria which can then be transferred into the pool itself. Make sure that you take the time to clean and disinfect the surface on a regular basis.

Have the pool professionally serviced

There are many different elements of your pool that can require professional servicing including the pumps, filters and heating. Even if your pool doesn’t appear to have anything specifically wrong with it, these visits can help to catch small issues before they develop into something much larger and more difficult to deal with.

Use chlorine to shock the water

If your pool is beginning to get that unpleasant overpowering chlorine smell it can make you think you need to cut down the amount of chlorine you’re putting in. However, the reason the smell tends to occur is that contaminants like nitrogen and ammonia have mixed with the chlorine in the pool. The best way to resolve the issue is to ‘shock’ the water by adding a large amount of chlorine. You should follow your manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.