If you love having a pool, then you should love everything about pool maintenance. Like any other part of the home, the pool needs to be properly cared for and maintained. In-ground pools are more than just a bowl of water. They will not self-maintain even if you believe that’s what the filter does. Some homeowners will choose to hire weekly professionals to maintain their pool, but pool maintenance is not as difficult as it may seem and can be done on your own.
Getting to know your pool; the water, the interior and its filtration and skimmer systems makes for good pool maintenance.
Continue reading to learn the most important tips about maintaining your in-ground pool.
Always mind the water level
Not everyone knows that your pool water level can change. Think about splashing, getting in and out of the pool, and evaporation. It might not seem like much, but over time these actions can reduce the water level in your pool. On the other hand, significant rain can increase the level of your pool. Your pool skimmer is a helpful tool for measuring the water level. Maintain the water between the mid-point and one inch of the top of the skimmer opening; just remember one thing, never fully drain your pool.
Run the filter and pump
Your pool’s filter and pump is pretty straightforward, but there’s a few things you want to keep in mind. First is pump speed. There are one-speed, two-speed, and variable speed pool pumps. These allow you to conserve energy as needed or desired. Second, you need to know the turnover rate. This is the amount of time it takes for your pump to filter all of the water one time. For most pools this time is between 4 and 7 hours. It is recommended that your pool gets filters 2 full times per day.
Remove debris
It’s not difficult to see when your pool gets dirty. After a windy day, bugs leaves, and other debris are visibly present. The solution? A skimmer net is easy to use and does the job very well. Anyone, even a young family member with plenty of energy can get the job done. It is important to remove this dirt and debris to prevent it from clogging up your pool. For bigger debris a pool vacuum typically does the job.
Balance the water chemistry
Chlorine isn’t the only chemical working in your pool to keep it clean. Every pool owner should be aware of these 5 chemical qualities: total alkalinity: 80–120 ppm, pH: 7.2–7.8, calcium hardness: 100–300 ppm fiberglass or 200-400 for vinyl and concrete, stabilizer (cyanuric acid): 20–50 ppm, and chlorine: 2.0–3.0 ppm. Pool chemical kits are available at any pool supply retailer and have step-by-step instructions on how to use them.
When does your pool need repair?
Then again, even if you do properly maintain your in-ground pool, sometimes you just need to throw in the beach towel and call a professional. You might suspect that your in-ground pool needs repair if you notice any of these signs: discolored grout, blocked sand filter, blocked pipe work, broken heater, cracks in the walls, or broken lights.
A swimming pool provides endless fun and relaxation for the entire family so it’s important to keep it clean and maintained. At LeisureTime Warehouse, our experienced swimming pool installers and technicians can help. As an exclusive hot tub and swim spa dealer in the greater Cleveland OH area, we have all the supplies and help you need to make your pool a success. At LeisureTime Warehouse, you’re able to choose from brands, designs, styles, and if you want an above ground or an in-ground swimming pool.
We specialize in aquatic lifestyle, which means we also carry luxury brand hot tubs and swim spas by Master Spas. Come visit our retail hot tub and swim spa superstore and you’ll find brands such as the Michael Phelps Signature series swim spas and Healthy Living hot tubs. Call us today to learn more!