Swimming Pool Cleaning and Care Tips for Beginners
Every swimming pool will require routine maintenance to keep the equipment and components in good working order and keep the water crystal clean. It is important to know how your swimming pool works and have some care tips to look after it.
Cleaning Your Pool
Cleaning your pool regularly is a priority for a healthy pool. There are a few ways to clean your pool, it all depends on the time and money you have available. As a minimum requirement, you’ll need to invest in a net skimmer to get rid of surface debris, and a pool brush to clean the sides and bottom of the pool. If you have the budget, a robotic pool cleaner can help automate a lot of this task.
Basics For Beginners
Knowing how to maintain a pool requires a working knowledge of the four main components:
1- THE FILTER SYSTEM
– Responsible for keeping your pool water circulating and clean.
– Basically the workhorse of your entire pool setup.
– Pump forces the water to circulate through the pool filter and catches any debris. If your filter system were to fail, your pool water would turn cloudy and be not safe to swim in.
– Filters can be salt water chlorinators, sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.
2- THE RETURNS AND SKIMMER
– The skimmers are the holes in the side of the pool that pull the water into the filter, and then they push the water through the filter.
– The returns are the part of the pool that returns the clean water back into the pool.
– Make sure you routinely clean them to keep them working adequately. You will get dirty water if there is a lot of debris/obstruction and the water won’t flow correctly.
– Routinely backwash these systems and clean them out at least once a week. (The cleaner each part is, the better it will be able to function.)
3- THE POOL WALLS
– If your water doesn’t have the correct chemical balance, it becomes much easier for bacteria and algae to start growing on pool walls.
– These pollutants can make your water unhealthy, and they can cause problems for your pool walls.
– You should scrub the pool’s interior walls to get rid of any bacteria or algae growth each fortnight.
– If you don’t have time to do it by hand, you can invest in a robotic cleaner that will run automatically, or get a self-cleaning pool system.
4- THE WATER
Maintaining the correct water balance can seem like a daunting challenge. There are complete kits that can help to keep your water crystal-clear and safe to swim in. Use the test kit at least once a week in the swimming season to test your water, or at least monthly during the non swimming season. Also if you have a lot of rain or are adding water to the pool, test it. These things can throw off your water chemistry, and it can result in cloudy unclean water.
Below is the breakdown of what you test for:
– pH levels – show how acidic or alkaline the water is. A neutral pH protects your pool equipment from corrosion while also stopping skin and eye irritation.
– Total Alkalinity – keeps your pH level in the pool balanced.
– Chlorine – acts like a sanitiser that rids the pool’s water of bacteria and algae. – Stabiliser (for chlorinated pools) – this will shield chlorine from sunlight. – Salt (for salt chlorinated pools) – Ideal level is between 3000 and 4000 ppm; lower salt levels may be required by some types of chlorinators.
– Calcium Hardness – prevents damage to pool walls.
– T.D.S. (Total Dissolved Solids) – Ideal level = less than 1500 ppm.
– Phosphates – Ideal level = zero but less than 0.2 ppm.
– Water Balance – Zero, or slightly negative.
For more specific advice to maintain and clean your pool and to maintain correct water chemistry and keep it healthy, you can reach out to our team at Barrier Reef Pools, or consult your local pool shop.
Pool Maintenance Supplies
Depending on your pool type, here are a few supplies which could help with your pool maintenance.
– Chemical Kit – A pool chemical test kit will help you keep track of the chemicals in your pool. Simply fill the vials with pool water, dip the test strips in and compare the colours to the chart. This will show whether or not you have to adjust your chemicals to balance the water.
– Shock – Pool shock is a strong chemical that destroys algae and bacteria. Powerful to use after heavy pool usage or at the beginning of the season. Note: you will be required to stay out of the water for 12 to 24 hours after shocking your pool.
– Sanitisers – Choose from Chlorine, Salt or Mineral. Discuss with your pool builder what will be the best option for your swimming pool.
– Balancing Chemicals and Stabilisers –A water conditioner (stabiliser) can protect against evaporation, sunlight, rain and the presence of oils, which can create imbalances.
– Stain Prevention and Removal – Water lines and stains can discolour the sides of your pool and be difficult to remove. These stains can be from metals in the water. The minerals can also cause scaling on your pool walls. Apply a stain remover to strip them away, and a stain prevention chemical can stop them coming back.
Conclusion
Pool cleaning and ongoing maintenance for your swimming pool will be manageable once you get into a routine. As a beginner it could feel daunting, with all the processes you need to embrace and factor in when cleaning your pool. Once you get into a comfortable routine, you will be able to relax knowing you are confident to look after your pool. Our team at Barrier Reef Pools will be happy to assist with any questions you might have. Give our friendly team a call today!
Swimming Pool Cleaning and Care Tips for Beginners
Every swimming pool will require routine maintenance to keep the equipment and components in good working order and keep the water crystal clean. It is important to know how your swimming pool works and have some care tips to look after it.
Cleaning Your Pool
Cleaning your pool regularly is a priority for a healthy pool. There are a few ways to clean your pool, it all depends on the time and money you have available. As a minimum requirement, you’ll need to invest in a net skimmer to get rid of surface debris, and a pool brush to clean the sides and bottom of the pool. If you have the budget, a robotic pool cleaner can help automate a lot of this task.
Basics For Beginners
Knowing how to maintain a pool requires a working knowledge of the four main components:
1- THE FILTER SYSTEM
– Responsible for keeping your pool water circulating and clean.
– Basically the workhorse of your entire pool setup.
– Pump forces the water to circulate through the pool filter and catches any debris. If your filter system were to fail, your pool water would turn cloudy and be not safe to swim in.
– Filters can be salt water chlorinators, sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.
2- THE RETURNS AND SKIMMER
– The skimmers are the holes in the side of the pool that pull the water into the filter, and then they push the water through the filter.
– The returns are the part of the pool that returns the clean water back into the pool.
– Make sure you routinely clean them to keep them working adequately. You will get dirty water if there is a lot of debris/obstruction and the water won’t flow correctly.
– Routinely backwash these systems and clean them out at least once a week. (The cleaner each part is, the better it will be able to function.)
3- THE POOL WALLS
– If your water doesn’t have the correct chemical balance, it becomes much easier for bacteria and algae to start growing on pool walls.
– These pollutants can make your water unhealthy, and they can cause problems for your pool walls.
– You should scrub the pool’s interior walls to get rid of any bacteria or algae growth each fortnight.
– If you don’t have time to do it by hand, you can invest in a robotic cleaner that will run automatically, or get a self-cleaning pool system.
4- THE WATER
Maintaining the correct water balance can seem like a daunting challenge. There are complete kits that can help to keep your water crystal-clear and safe to swim in. Use the test kit at least once a week in the swimming season to test your water, or at least monthly during the non swimming season. Also if you have a lot of rain or are adding water to the pool, test it. These things can throw off your water chemistry, and it can result in cloudy unclean water.
Below is the breakdown of what you test for:
– pH levels – show how acidic or alkaline the water is. A neutral pH protects your pool equipment from corrosion while also stopping skin and eye irritation.
– Total Alkalinity – keeps your pH level in the pool balanced.
– Chlorine – acts like a sanitiser that rids the pool’s water of bacteria and algae. – Stabiliser (for chlorinated pools) – this will shield chlorine from sunlight. – Salt (for salt chlorinated pools) – Ideal level is between 3000 and 4000 ppm; lower salt levels may be required by some types of chlorinators.
– Calcium Hardness – prevents damage to pool walls.
– T.D.S. (Total Dissolved Solids) – Ideal level = less than 1500 ppm.
– Phosphates – Ideal level = zero but less than 0.2 ppm.
– Water Balance – Zero, or slightly negative.
For more specific advice to maintain and clean your pool and to maintain correct water chemistry and keep it healthy, you can reach out to our team at Barrier Reef Pools, or consult your local pool shop.
Pool Maintenance Supplies
Depending on your pool type, here are a few supplies which could help with your pool maintenance.
– Chemical Kit – A pool chemical test kit will help you keep track of the chemicals in your pool. Simply fill the vials with pool water, dip the test strips in and compare the colours to the chart. This will show whether or not you have to adjust your chemicals to balance the water.
– Shock – Pool shock is a strong chemical that destroys algae and bacteria. Powerful to use after heavy pool usage or at the beginning of the season. Note: you will be required to stay out of the water for 12 to 24 hours after shocking your pool.
– Sanitisers – Choose from Chlorine, Salt or Mineral. Discuss with your pool builder what will be the best option for your swimming pool.
– Balancing Chemicals and Stabilisers –A water conditioner (stabiliser) can protect against evaporation, sunlight, rain and the presence of oils, which can create imbalances.
– Stain Prevention and Removal – Water lines and stains can discolour the sides of your pool and be difficult to remove. These stains can be from metals in the water. The minerals can also cause scaling on your pool walls. Apply a stain remover to strip them away, and a stain prevention chemical can stop them coming back.
Conclusion
Pool cleaning and ongoing maintenance for your swimming pool will be manageable once you get into a routine. As a beginner it could feel daunting, with all the processes you need to embrace and factor in when cleaning your pool. Once you get into a comfortable routine, you will be able to relax knowing you are confident to look after your pool. Our team at Barrier Reef Pools will be happy to assist with any questions you might have. Give our friendly team a call today!
