Owning a swimming pool can sometimes be overwhelming especially as it relates to upkeep and maintenance. However, maintaining your pool is easier than it might seem at first. While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are some helpful tips for the swimming pool owner on how to keep the pool water clean, clear and bacteria-free and the equipment in good working order between service visits.
When it comes to your pool’s cartridge filter, it will need to be cleaned on occasion and your pool contractor will determine when it needs to be done. As a general rule, a filter should be cleaned every four months.
- The pool’s pump basket should be cleaned at least weekly, more depending on how many people use the pool and how much dirt and debris are blown into it. You can easily clean the pump basket between service visits.
- Is there a set length of time the pool pump and filter should be run? Most pool service contractors recommend running them six to eight hours per day in the summer, and four hours a day in the winter.
- Even if you have an automatic pool cleaner, you or your pool contractor should still brush the pool as a way to prevent algae growth.
- If you notice your pool is losing a half an inch of water a day you don’t need to be too concerned, especially in the summer months. If you are losing more than that per day, you may be experiencing a leak and it might be time to contact your swimming pool contractor to come and inspect it. (Have you ever wondered just how many gallons of water are in your pool? You can determine it, approximately, with this formula. Take the average depth times the water surface area and times that by 7.5 and that will give you the total volume of water in gallons).
- Your pool maintenance contractor will tell you, emphatically in many cases, not to ever drain your pool! If you don’t drain a pool properly you run the risk of damaging the structural integrity of the pool and could even damage the liner. If you have a fiberglass pool, draining it could lead to issues with the structure not remaining upright and stable and that could lead to a loosening in the electrical or plumbing fixtures.
- If you feel the need to drain the pool of its water, be sure to contact us first, and the situation before doing so.
If you have any questions or concerns about your swimming pool and any of its operations, your best bet is to speak with your pool contractor on his next service visit.
