How to keep the pool water clean throughout the summer.
The pool is a great way to refresh and enjoy your leisure time during the summer months. To make the most of your pool experience, it’s essential to keep the water clean and clear. Proper water maintenance is necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming environment. In this article, we provide useful tips on how to maintain the water in your pool to keep it safe and pristine.
Proper water filtration is important.
Water filtration is one of the most important steps to maintain the cleanliness of pool water. Filtration should thoroughly filter the entire pool at least twice a day. We recommend setting up filtration in multiple time intervals, with a total time of at least 8 hours per day. If you do not yet have a covering that prevents debris from falling into the water, such as leaves, insects, and the like, make sure to regularly clean and check the filter to remove debris and prevent unnecessary strain on your pump. If you have a sand filtration system, we recommend backwashing the sand once a week to flush out any fine sediment. The sand should be replaced every two years.
You certainly won’t make a mistake by running the filtration more frequently, especially on days when there is prolonged hot weather outside. It’s not worth cutting corners on filtration operation, as if your water gets contaminated, the cost of purchasing chemicals to clean the water might end up being more than the savings from reducing filtration operation.
A crucial aspect is maintaining the proper water level in the pool for the skimmer to function correctly. This is especially important on hot days when water evaporation is higher, or during backwashing of the filter. With a pool enclosure, water evaporation can be reduced.
Regular cleaning of the pool floor, walls, and skimmer basket.
Use a pool vacuum or an automatic cleaner to remove debris that has settled on the pool floor and walls. Regular cleaning prevents algae formation and prevents debris from accumulating on the pool floor. Also, clean the skimmer basket where larger debris is captured before entering the filtration system.
- Types of Vacuums:
- Mechanical/Manual: This is one of the most commonly used and readily available options for cleaning. It involves a brush attached to a filtration system with a telescopic pole.
- Semi-automatic vacuum: This is a vacuum that can automatically clean your pool by being suctioned to the pool walls. This type of vacuum is connected to a sand filter. Its advantage is time savings.
- Automatic vacuum: This type of vacuum is nearly self-sufficient. Its significant advantage is that it has its own debris collection basket and can map out the pool area. It may also have various cleaning programs.
In the case of sand filtration, don’t forget to backwash the sand after using a vacuum that is connected to the filtration system.
Chemical Maintenance and Minimizing Its Use
Maintaining the proper pH level in your pool is an essential part of water care. The water’s pH should be in the range of 7.2 – 7.6, which is ideal for comfortable and safe water use. You can determine the pH value using a tester, which you can purchase at any pool supply store. It’s possible that due to extreme heat, storms, or heavy pool usage, the water may turn green. In such cases, a “Chlorine shock” product can be helpful. This product temporarily increases the chlorine level to eliminate algae and bacteria. For those with sensitive skin, it’s recommended to avoid swimming in the pool for a couple of days due to the elevated chlorine levels. The proper chlorine level in the water should be between 0.4 – 1 mg/L. You can use a tester to check the chlorine value. Tablets have proven to be effective for maintaining clean water, and Multi tablets 5-in-1 are among the most reliable. If the water smells like chlorine and the tester shows correct values, it’s likely “bound chlorine” (resulting from sweat, sunscreen lotions, or oils). In this case, using “Chlorine shock” can help. To clear up slight cloudiness, you can use a flocculant.
Always read the instructions for use of the pool chemicals you’ve purchased, which are provided on the packaging.
For worry-free maintenance of clean water and proper levels, we recommend covering the pool, which will limit the entry of dirt into the pool. It’s advisable to avoid using various creams and oils before swimming in the pool. If you do use them, it’s a good idea to rinse off before entering the pool.
We wish you carefree enjoyment of your pool throughout the entire swimming season.