09 Nov 10 Pool Maintenance Tips Every Pool Owner Needs to Know

If you’re searching for the secret to a fresh pool filled with sparkling, clean water, then you’ll need to dive into the subject of pool care. When you’re ready to take the plunge, just put these nine pool maintenance tips to work for you.

1. Maintain the area around the pool.
Reducing the amount of debris that ends up in the pool also reduces the amount you’ll have to clean out of it. Maintaining the landscaping around the pool won’t totally prevent grass, leaves, small branches and other stuff from getting into your pool water, but it will help to minimize it.

2. Skim debris from the pool’s surface.
Using a long-handled skimmer to scoop up leaves, insects and other stuff floating on the surface of your pool is quick and easy. It also keeps the water cleaner, makes vacuuming easier and helps to prevent stains.

3. Clean out the skimmer.
The skimmer works diligently to collect rubbish before it reaches your pump, but if the skimmer becomes clogged, it can’t do its job as effectively. Cleaning it out protects your pump and keeps your pool water cleaner.

4. Scrub the pool’s walls.
Scrubbing your pool’s walls helps minimize the accumulation of algae and calcium deposits. What tools do you need for this task? It depends on your pool’s walls. For tile, vinyl or fiberglass walls, use a soft brush that won’t scratch. For plaster-lined concrete pools, choose a stiff brush.

5. Take the vacuum for a spin.
Vacuuming helps keep water clear, which allows you to use fewer pool chemicals. For an automatic vacuum, you simply need to ensure that it is working properly. If you vacuum manually, work the head back and forth, overlapping your strokes.

6. Make circulation a priority.
Moving water tends to be cleaner water, so if you want a clean pool, you’ll need to make circulation a priority. Check that your pump is running long enough to circulate the water effectively and make sure that all the drains and lines are clear. If you don’t have an automatic pool pump, it might be a good idea to look into it.

7. Clean the pool filter.
Pool filters clean your pool water by gathering particles and debris. Whether you have a cartridge, sand or diatomaceous earth filter, cleaning it regularly and following the manufacturer’s directions for maintenance will help ensure that your pool filter is functioning effectively.

8. Test your water.
Much like medications, pool chemicals need to be administered in the proper amounts to be effective. How do you know what you should be adding? Test your water. There are several home testing kits available, and they tend to be fairly easy to use. By keeping your water healthy, it will also stay cleaner.

9. Develop a routine.
When it comes to pool maintenance, the most important thing you can do is develop a regular routine. When you tend to maintenance tasks on a regular basis, you catch problems before they can become disasters and keep the workload at a more manageable level so that you’ll have more time to enjoy your fresh, sparkling pool.

10. Winterizing the Pool.
Okay, it’s possible to get a reprieve of cleaning and pool maintenance, but only if you cover your pool during the winter.  It’s up in the air who actually covers their pool.  Depending on where you live in Florida, it’s probably not necessary.

American Pools & Spas is Orlando’s leading pool builder. When we aren’t building amazing pools, we are helping people enjoy their pools. Keeping your pool crystal clean is just one of our goals. To learn more about our services, contact us today at 407-847-9322.