Having a swimming pool adds beauty and class to the surroundings of a property, but it also requires a bit of maintenance to stay clean and healthy for swimming. Some people prefer to hire a pool cleaner to take care of it but pool owners can also clean it by following some simple steps:
Some effective ways to maintain a swimming pool include:
1. Learning the alkalinity and pH levels of the pool
Alkalinity level of the pool is related to the water's pH level. To neutralize acidity, total alkalinity level must be attained. It has been proved that the higher the alkalinity, the higher the pH level of the water will be. Test the water and make sure the values any within the following recommended level range;
Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm
pH: 7.2 - 7.8
Dissolved Solids: below 5000 ppm
Calcium hardness: 180 - 220 ppm
Cyanuric Acid: 40 - 80 ppm
Chlorine: 1.0 - 2.0 ppm
Note that:
Chlorine is a chemical used to sanitize and disinfect the water
Calcium hardness is the amount of calcium in the pool. Low calcium levels make the water corrosive which makes the water harsh on the skin.
Cyanuric acid prevents ultraviolet rays of the sun from drying up the chlorine in the water.
Total dissolved solids contain inorganic salts like calcium, magnesium and organic materials dissolved in the water.
2. Making chemicals readily available
Often and regularly, there will be water problems that require strong chemical solutions. Follow usage instructions on the label of the chemicals and adjust as necessary over time. The application should be a constant part of the pool maintenance routine. Some common chemicals needed are algaecide, shocking products, chlorine.
3. Handle chemicals with care
While applying chemicals, am individual needs to be very careful as they are highly dangerous to human and animal health. Some of the necessary caution to take include:
Wear rubber gloves before handling any chemical
Always wash hands immediately they are exposed to chemicals
Stay away from fire when handling chemicals
Never add water to chemical. Add the chemical to water.
Never return wasted material to the package and do not dispose of in the regular trash bin.
Follow usage instructions to the letter.
4. Maintain the pool's filters
Clean the pool daily if possible. Using brushes and dirt catching devices, surface dirt and leaves or branches can be easily removed. The filters are essential tools for the pool, so they need to be kept clean at all times.
Pool water should be between 1/3 and 1/2 way up to the skimmer.
This is the required level at which the pool functions best. The skimmer is the device attached to the side of the pool which sucks in little dirt, leaves, and branches that enter the pool. Some potentially destructive things can happen if the water is either too low or too high.
Allowing your water level to be too high water level can cause the debris to bypass the skimmer, remain in the pool and get accumulated. It makes the water move too slowly into the skimmer.
The low water level will cause the skimmer to suck in air, and this could damage the pool's motor pump. The skimmer then has little to suck in, and it can make it bottom out.
5. Add water before vacuuming
Vacuuming causes the water level to decrease, which is why water needs to be added before backwashing.
Some effective ways to maintain a swimming pool include:
1. Learning the alkalinity and pH levels of the pool
Alkalinity level of the pool is related to the water's pH level. To neutralize acidity, total alkalinity level must be attained. It has been proved that the higher the alkalinity, the higher the pH level of the water will be. Test the water and make sure the values any within the following recommended level range;
Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm
pH: 7.2 - 7.8
Dissolved Solids: below 5000 ppm
Calcium hardness: 180 - 220 ppm
Cyanuric Acid: 40 - 80 ppm
Chlorine: 1.0 - 2.0 ppm
Note that:
Chlorine is a chemical used to sanitize and disinfect the water
Calcium hardness is the amount of calcium in the pool. Low calcium levels make the water corrosive which makes the water harsh on the skin.
Cyanuric acid prevents ultraviolet rays of the sun from drying up the chlorine in the water.
Total dissolved solids contain inorganic salts like calcium, magnesium and organic materials dissolved in the water.
2. Making chemicals readily available
Often and regularly, there will be water problems that require strong chemical solutions. Follow usage instructions on the label of the chemicals and adjust as necessary over time. The application should be a constant part of the pool maintenance routine. Some common chemicals needed are algaecide, shocking products, chlorine.
3. Handle chemicals with care
While applying chemicals, am individual needs to be very careful as they are highly dangerous to human and animal health. Some of the necessary caution to take include:
Wear rubber gloves before handling any chemical
Always wash hands immediately they are exposed to chemicals
Stay away from fire when handling chemicals
Never add water to chemical. Add the chemical to water.
Never return wasted material to the package and do not dispose of in the regular trash bin.
Follow usage instructions to the letter.
4. Maintain the pool's filters
Clean the pool daily if possible. Using brushes and dirt catching devices, surface dirt and leaves or branches can be easily removed. The filters are essential tools for the pool, so they need to be kept clean at all times.
Pool water should be between 1/3 and 1/2 way up to the skimmer.
This is the required level at which the pool functions best. The skimmer is the device attached to the side of the pool which sucks in little dirt, leaves, and branches that enter the pool. Some potentially destructive things can happen if the water is either too low or too high.
Allowing your water level to be too high water level can cause the debris to bypass the skimmer, remain in the pool and get accumulated. It makes the water move too slowly into the skimmer.
The low water level will cause the skimmer to suck in air, and this could damage the pool's motor pump. The skimmer then has little to suck in, and it can make it bottom out.
5. Add water before vacuuming
Vacuuming causes the water level to decrease, which is why water needs to be added before backwashing.