Relaxing outdoors on warm days is even more enjoyable when you have a well-maintained pool. Swimming pool upkeep doesn’t have to be a hassle. Use these recommendations for proper pool maintenance to keep your water clean and healthy all summer.
Circulation
Circulation is the most important part of keeping your pool running properly. Your pool’s circulation system consists of a filter and pump. It is recommended to run your filter 24 hours a day. If this isn’t possible, run the system 8-12 hours a day, especially during the summer months when the weather is hot. During cold weather, 4-6 hours a day is sufficient.
Proper Pool Maintenance: Filters
Filter maintenance is important because the filter is the heart of your cleaning system. There are three types of filters: sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.
If you have a sand filter, backwash it as recommended to keep it from becoming clogged. The sand filter has a pressure gauge on the top that should be checked after backwashing. The pool should operate between 10-15 psi.
With a cartridge filter, there is no backwashing. If you have this type of filter, the pressure gauge will indicate the psi. Again, between 10-15 psi is generally safe to maintain proper pool conditions. More than ten pounds over that (at 25 psi), you will need to remove the cartridge and clean it with a cleaning solution or rinse it with a hose.
DE filters do a great job of cleaning the pool. When you backwash the filter, replace or properly clean it. Wear a mask or protective eye gear when dealing with this type of filter.
Cleaning the Water
For proper pool maintenance, use a skimmer to remove large debris. Brush the walls, steps, and ladders every day if possible. This will help you prevent cloudy water and algae issues. If it’s not practical to do it daily, make it part of your routine to brush the pool every three days.
Vacuum weekly to keep the water sparkling clean. If you have been skimming and brushing, vacuuming will be fast and easy. Or, you could invest in an automatic pool cleaner that will regularly remove debris from the water.
Chemistry for Proper Pool Maintenance
Proper pH and alkalinity should be maintained to keep the water balanced at about 7.2 – 7.6. Alkalinity should be between 100 – 150 ppm (parts per million) Use a home test kit or test strips. When you have balanced water, all the other chemicals will work better to keep your pool running clean, clear, and safe.
Low Keys Home Inspections provides inspection services, including pool and spa inspections. Contact us to schedule an assessment of the health and safety of your swimming pool.