Tips For Maintaining A Swimming Pool

If you had problems in having a swimming pool installed, then you’re going to want to maintain it in tip top condition. Below are the tips that will help you in Singapore doing this without taking up hours and hours of your precious swimming time.

Use the correct chemicals
Several chemicals are vital for effective swimming pool maintenance. The first and most important are chlorine. Chlorine kills any algae and bacteria that may be on the tiles, or indeed in the water itself. You can also use a special chemical known as an algae preventer to stop further growth. This chemical is, however, adamant and can damage your tiles if used incorrectly, so it’s advisable to hire a professional pool cleaner to do this bit. It is important you add chlorine or salt on a regular basis. Chlorine is available in powder or tablet form; there are also tablets which can float on the water, slowly releasing the product into the water. Depending on your work schedule and time you have to give your swimming pool maintenance, you can decide which is the right choice for you.

Check your pH on a regular basis
The pH of your water is not only important for you as a swimmer, but it’s also important for the efficiency of your chlorine and any mechanical part of the pool, such as the filters. Ideally, you should have a slightly alkaline pH because this is the environment in which chlorine works best. It is also the pH of your body, meaning you shouldn’t have any adverse effects from many swimming i.e. red eyes, dry skin, etc. An alkaline environment will also prolong the life of your pool filters, in turn saving you money over the long run. There is one thing you should be carrying out on a regular basis, and that is checking the PH balance. To test the PH, you will buy a kit which will explain in detail what to look for. This will also help you determine if you need to add chlorine or salt to the water to bring it back to the correct level. It is important to do the checking after few days.

Addition of water
As a rule of thumb, once you have checked the PH levels and chlorine levels of your pool, you need to add 2.5 ounces per 10,000 gallons of water. You should have some idea how much water your pool holds and can work it out from there. Remember when adding chlorine that you need to leave it for a while before you can swim in it again.

Skim regularly and empty your skimmer basket
Good swimming pool maintenance starts with skimming. Not only do you skim off the obvious bits of detritus, such as leaves, flower heads, and bird feathers, you also skim smaller yet more potentially harmful things like bird excrement and pet fur. It’s also important that you empty your skimmer basket or net after each use because leaving detritus in it between skims will allow all manner of bacteria, viruses, and even fungal growths to form.

Use a cover when not in use
A pool cover is excellent for keeping foreign objects out of your pool but is aware that in warm weather they can create the perfect environment for water-borne bacteria and algae. Some cheaper pool covers act much like a greenhouse, providing a humid atmosphere that microbes love and thrive in. Pool covers are best used during the winter months when the pool isn’t in use, and the temperature is too low to create a sufficiently humid environment. If you can, have a cover specifically made for your pool so that it is the perfect fit.

Clean your pool filters regularly
Cleaning your filters should be high on your list of priorities with regards to your swimming pool maintenance. It isn’t unusual for small items to become wedged in pool filters and this will severely decrease their life span. If you leave a filter too long, it can get damaged and clogged. So you should add this to your maintenance plan at least weekly. When the pool is filled with leaves and other debris, these will be sucked into the filter. Ensure your filtration cleaning is one of the steps you complete. It’s a good idea to do this step after scrubbing the walls and tiles of the pool, this way any dirt would have already passed through the filter by the time you get to cleaning it. Bugs, small leaves, and other light items will also build up in the filters, and if not cleaned regularly it will quickly reduce their effectiveness. You might want to hire a professional pool cleaner to clean your filters if you’re unsure what to do. After all, the last thing you want is to break a filter just to save yourself a few pounds.

Brush the walls and tiles
You will need to take some time to brush the walls and tiles. This removes any algae build up and enables it to be sucked into the filters. This is an important step. If you leave the algae to build up, you will find yourself with a green pool, not the ideal situation when you are planning a weekend of fun and swimming. Pool brushes are important during cleaning. They will come handy as you will be cleaning areas that are hard to access for the pool vacuum cleaner. These brushes come in various handle lengths for your convenience. They are critical tools as there are large portions of the pool walls and tiles that can only be reached and cleaned by these tools.

Repair cracks and leaks.
Finally, the last step to swimming pool maintenance is to repair cracks and leaks. Over time your pool will be put through its paces, it is open to the elements, and this can cause damage. Use a pool cover wherever possible, especially when you want to keep your pool protected and reduce the amount of maintenance required

Conclusion.
You can clean your swimming pool in no time with the proper use of necessary tools and chemicals. Always remember to use them with care to avoid any accidents or injuries during your work. Be careful with your steps when inside the pool as it may be slippery due to the formation of algae on your pool.