Summers and swimming pools have a nostalgic relationship. The
hotter it gets the greater is the desire to spend time in and around it. And,
if you have a pool in your backyard then of course there is no stopping. From
swimming for fun to serious fitness laps and pool parties to tanning and much
more – you can plan activities at your own sweet will without the headache of
sweating it out in the sun.
Having a pool in your backyard is fun no doubt, but it is
also a big responsibility on you as a homeowner. All your plans of partying,
fitness and fun can go for a toss if you don’t take care of your pool properly.
There are two issues that a homeowner needs to address when it comes to pool –
safety and maintenance. Having dealt with the safety of the pool in the
previous post let’s deliberate on the second most important pool care aspect –
maintenance.
Whether your pool is big or small, it is bean shaped or
square, or you use your pool on a daily basis or only during weekends – the
bare minimum you want is a pool that is sparkling clean. And, the only way to
keep your pool in prime health is to carry out routine and regular care. There is
no getting away from pool maintenance; you just can’t do without it.
Sans a proper maintenance schedule the pool water can turn
green, there can be algae and bacteria buildup and pool equipment could
malfunction. Nobody wants to party around a pool that stinks or looks dirty.
Here are some ways in which you can keep your backyard swimming pool clean, healthy and picture-perfect.
Ensure proper
circulation and filtration of your pool
A few of the most important equipment required to keep your
pool clear and clean are the pool’s pump and its filtrating system, which has
to work at its best to get the desired results.
It is the pump which is responsible for the circulation of
water inside your swimming pool. The pump moves the water from the pool to the
filter where the dirt, dust and debris get filtered and the clean water is sent
back to the pool.
Your pool would generally remain clean if you clean the
filter basket once every week. To do this you need to first turn off the filter
then remove the cap of the filter, which is situated on the pool deck then take
out the filter basket – clean it and reassemble the components.
Once every month you should also clean the pipes of the
filtrating system. This is done by a process called backwashing. To do this you
need to put the filter on backwash then take out the leaf basket and clean it.
Later allow the pump to run till it starts throwing clear water.
Now, a pertinent question that should come to your mind is
how long the filtrating system should run – put it on a timer so that it runs
for at least 8 hours a day.
1. Skim your
pool on a daily basis – Buy a heavy duty skimmer net and attach it to a pole for
skimming the surface of your pool, which should be done once every day. This keeps
your pool clean and stops the debris from settling down at the bottom of the
pool.
2. Brush your pool once a week – Buy yourself a pool brush, heavy duty again, and attach it to a pole so that you can clean all the sides and bottom of your pool, which you should do once a week. It is not only the top and bottom of your pool that carry all the dirt. Dark and hidden corners, walls and the back side of the ladder – these are all areas you should clean regularly, as algae thrive in such places.
3. Vacuum your pool as and when required – If you can afford one, you should purchase for your pool an automatic vacuum pool cleaner. It can clean your entire pool and that too without supervision.
4. Clean the pool deck regularly – If you want your pool to remain clean you should ensure that the pool deck area is regularly cleaned – brush it and wash it at least once a week.
5. Keep the area around the filter clean – There should be no debris around the filter area. Ensure that it remains clean most of the time.
Always
maintain the required water level
As a pool owner you should also know that you need to maintain
the requisite water level in the pool all the time. To have clean and clear water you need to make sure that your pool has proper circulation and its filtration system is working fine.A swimming pool loses a lot
of water due to evaporation, splashing, swimming and while exiting. It is
recommended that you make it a habit to gauge the water level when you clean
your skimmer.
The water level should be half way up to the skimmer line of
your pool. When the water crosses this level or when the water level in your
pool is more than the requisite limit then your skimmer stops skimming the debris.
And, when the water level gets too low or is lower than the skimmer, you could
damage your pump.
