Maintaining Pools

Having a swimming pool at your backyard is a great experience. You would be able to relax, play with your kids and enjoy the sun for the entire year. Aside from the cost of having the pool installed, you would also have to consider the maintenance cost. Before you go and have a pool installed, you would have to know at least a basic knowledge or everything about pools and its maintenance.

• Sanitization

Sanitizing your pool will keep it protected against bacteria. You would need the chemical chlorine to keep your pool sanitized. The bacteria and other organic elements killed by the chlorine is removed from the pool through a filter system. There are different types of chlorine available in the market. But the active ingredient in each of the type is actually the same regardless of the brand.

When adding chlorine in your pool, avoid just dumping it into the water or letting the chlorine tablets in the skimming basket. You would need floating chlorine feeder or an automatic chemical feeder to distribute chlorine in the water. If you would just dump it in the water, it could affect the pool’s circulation and filter system.

Another option would be using bromine. Just like chlorine it could also kill bacteria and other pool contaminants. Bromine is usually used to sanitize spas and hot tubs. The benefit of picking bromine is that it is less irritating to eyes and skin. But the smell of the chemical bromine is more difficult to wash away.

• Algae

Green algae are among the most common problems for swimming pool owners. Most algae growth happens when the chlorine level of the swimming pool is not properly maintained. Green algae get destroyed immediately by a chlorine level of 1ppm or maybe even higher. Another method of getting rid of green algae with be brushing the walls of the swimming pool at least once a week.

• Shocking your Pool

Shocking your pool on regular basis can get rid of the waste and contaminants. Shocking would mean that you would be burning the contaminants and eventually restore the chlorine level of the pool. Having the water shocked would remove the strong odor of chlorine and at the same time would make it easier for your filters and pumps to remove waste materials out of your pool.

• Pump and Filter Problems

Any pump which is more that 7 to 8 years is in need of a replacement. Current pumps do not have to be maintained like the older models. The newer models are also more energy efficient and can work on with bigger volumes of water. Aside from the pump, you would also need to pay attention to the pressure gauge. You would need a pressure gauge to tell if your filter if the water pressure is in normal levels. A pressure gauge which is not working properly would fail to indicate if there is unnecessary high pressure strain on your pump and filter.

Generally, maintaining a pool will require time and hard work. You would at least need six to eight hours a day to maintain and keep your pool clean. It would even be harder to clean a pool during storms, unexpected or forecasted. These are the things that you would need to keep in mind when getting a pool. It is indeed fun to have a pool at your own home, but it is not everything about pools. There is pool and overall maintenance that should not be overlooked.