Maximizing Your Pool’s Lifespan: Maintenance Dos and Don’ts

A pool is a great asset to your home, but if you don’t maintain it properly, then it can quickly become a nuisance and a drain on resources. To be a smart pool owner, you need to know how to properly care for your pool. There are specific dos and don’ts when it comes to pool maintenance. 

Observing these guidelines can help ensure your pool has a long lifespan and you really get your money’s worth out of the investment you’ve made. Here are some pool maintenance tips you should keep in mind.

Regular Maintenance

The regular maintenance on your pool can’t be ignored. You need to understand that as soon as you open your pool for the season, you’ll be doing weekly, if not daily, maintenance on it. You should skim debris from the pool’s surface every day or every few days depending on how much debris falls into the pool. 

If your pool isn’t located near trees or shrubs at all, then you might be able to do this task every few days. When you keep the pool properly skimmed of debris, it will increase the efficiency of the pool’s circulation system. You should also remember to clean the strainer baskets once a week. This will reduce how much chlorine your pool will need on a regular basis.

Water Levels

The water levels of your pool will also need careful attention. You’ll want to top off the water level in your pool regularly in order to reduce the exertion on the pump. Too much air can get sucked into the pump when the water levels are low. 

It’s easy to assume that any changes in water level are due to evaporation, but this isn’t always the case. You need to regularly check for leaks if water levels are dropping. Pool maintenance in Collegeville can help you keep water levels right.

Filtration

The filter system on your pool is crucial to the lifespan of the pool. The filter system is also it’s own system and can be expensive to get repaired or replaced. The filters should be cleaned out when you notice the difference in flow between the pressure gauge and the flow meter is about 10 to 15 pounds per square inch. You should not however, clean your filter too often. When there is a small amount of particles it can actually increase the filter’s capacity to trap larger debris.

Pool Circulation

You’ll need to run your pool pump daily for a few hours to ensure that the circulation system is operating properly. You should not run the pump around the clock though, as this will stress the pump and may cause overheating.

Pool Draining

It’s often necessary to drain the pool annually as part of regular maintenance. Some manufacturers advise this while others do not. If you do nee to drain the pool, you should not leave it empty for long periods of time. The pressure from the surrounding soil can cause damage.

Chemicals

Chemicals are an important part of good pool maintenance as well. Your pool needs to be tested regularly to ensure that the pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.6. Chlorine levels should be around 1-3 ppm. If chemical levels are off it can put your pool at risk but it can also put swimmers in your pool at risk as well.

Cleaning

Cleaning the pool properly will make it more enjoyable, attractive, and healthy. The pool should be vacuumed once a week to get debris off of the bottom. This also keeps the water clearer and reduces the need for extra chemicals. You should avoid using a stiff bristled brush except for plaster lined pools. Soft brushes are used on vinyl and fiberglass. 

If you need pool maintenance in Hatfield, please contact us today.