Pool season is just around the corner! Pool care can be simple when you have a plan for routine maintenance and use the right products. Using these preventative maintenance steps will ensure that you spend less time fixing problems when they arise and more time enjoying your pool this summer!
Circulation
Pool water must be circulated to maximize your sanitizer’s effectiveness. When the water is in motion, it is harder for bacteria and algae to grow and take hold. Circulation also helps push debris out so it can be captured by your filter. The best time to circulate the water is during the day for about 12 hours or more.
Filtration
Your filter is one of your most important pieces of equipment! It removes oils and debris, maintains water clarity and protects surfaces. It should be backwashed when the water pressure in the filter reaches 8 to 10 psi above normal. Backwashing is cleaning by the removal of material trapped on or in the filter media. Make sure to check your manufacturer’s guidelines. Filters also need to be chemically cleaned to eliminate the oil and debris that backwashing doesn’t remove. The recommended frequency of chemically cleaning your filter is four times per year. Strip Kwik® and Kleen It® are the best products to remove metal, dirt, scale, grease and oil from your filter.
Cleaning
Your filter doesn’t catch everything; some pools have areas with little to no circulation and this is where problems occur. Brush and vacuum your wall and floors at least once a week to catch the debris that your filter misses. We offer many styles of skimmers, brushes and vacuums in our stores.
Testing
Every pool has characteristics that need to be regularly measured and adjusted. Your pH and sanitizer levels are the most important factors to check. Test your water two to three times per week with heavy to typical usage. Additionally, take a water sample to one of our store locations every other week during the season for an in depth water analysis. This will give us a comprehensive look at the trends in your water chemistry and how to fix any issues that arise.
Chemistry
The last key in pool care is applying the right products at the right time. Follow the steps exactly from the water analysis to have welcoming, brilliant and sparkling water; swimmers protected from disease transmission; and protected pool equipment and surfaces by having properly balanced water.