Swimming pool maintenance is essential for swimmers’ health, clean water, and pool equipment life. The weather has a significant impact on pool water. In summer, pools require more maintenance and care than in other seasons due to hot weather, frequent pool usage, and higher evaporation rates.
This blog uncovers the conditions for pool care, the benefits of a well-preserved pool, and the potential risks of a poorly maintained backyard swimming pool. It also explores helpful tips for summer pool maintenance tips.
Let’s find out more about your pool maintenance guide!
When does your pool require maintenance?
Regular pool maintenance is necessary to save resources and avoid any major repairs to your pool in the future.
Here are the times your pool needs expert maintenance.
High Temperature
The temperature of the surroundings and the sun’s intense UV rays can make the pool water cloudy and unhealthy for swimming. Moreover, high temperatures can cause pool algae. To counter this issue, you will need regular pool maintenance in the summer season.
Bad Weather or Rains
Living in areas with frequent bad weather or rain can dilute pool water and make the water acidic, creating chemical imbalances. After rains and storms, check the pool chemical levels, skim the leaves and contaminants, and address the issues promptly.
Routine Pool Care
Besides maintaining your pool after heavy use and bad weather, pool care doesn’t end here. Healthy and clean pool water requires regular, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cleaning and maintenance.
How do you maintain your swimming pool?
Like hot tub maintenance, pool maintenance is also necessary. Follow the tips below to maintain your pool.
Maintain Pool Water Levels
Regularly check your pool’s water levels. Pool pumps and other equipment require an ample amount of water for operation. An unusually decreasing pool water level indicates your pool needs a leak inspection.
Pool Skimming
You can often see the leaves, debris, or other contaminants floating in the pool. These pool contaminants can lower pool circulation and stain the pool. You can manually skim them using a pool net. Use a telescopic pole to reach every part of the pool. Also, brush your pool to loosen the algae buildup and other water contaminants.
Maintain the Water Chemical Balance
After heavy use, the best way is to ensure pool water testing to balance pH, alkalinity, sanitizer, and calcium hardness. For this, you can use pool test strips.
The ideal pool chemical levels are:
- pH Levels: 7.6 to 7.8 ppm
- Free Chlorine: 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
- Total Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: Ranges from 200 to 400 ppm
- Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30 to 50 ppm
Empty the Skimmer Basket and Pump Basket
During the summer, debris might fall into the pool. If you don’t skim your pool regularly, pool skimmer baskets and pumps catch these leaves or debris.
Check and empty the skimmer basket and pump basket to enhance your pool circulation and filtration.
Rinse or Backwash the Pool Filter
Pool filters can get clogged after lousy weather and regular filtration. Small debris and water contaminants can hinder its functionality.
To fix this, check your pool filter pressure gauge. If it shows 10 PSI above the normal reading, we recommend rinsing your pool cartridge filter or backwashing your pool media filter. Use a filter cleaner chemical to remove the filter’s grease and oil buildup.
Shock the Pool
Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer. Though it does not immediately kill germs, you still need chlorine for pool sanitation. Check the levels of free chlorine and combined chlorine.
Apply chlorine shock treatment for proper pool sanitation. This will help dissolve the combined chlorine levels (non-effective chlorine in the pool) and make your pool inhabitable for algae or bacteria.
Drain and Refill Your Pool
Pool shock treatment can be less effective if you swim in the same water for many months. In this case, draining and refilling your pool is the best solution to keeping healthy and clean water.
Clean Decking and Pool Surrounding Areas
Clean your poolside decking and surrounding areas after lousy weather or a party. Ensure that your pool’s surroundings are clean, tidy, and free of spilled drinks or grass clippings, preventing clammy feet inside the pool.
Repair Minor Damages
Repairing minor pool damages on time is essential for long-lasting structures and equipment. Regularly check small structural cracks or equipment leakages and fix them to prevent significant pool malfunctions.
Invest in a Pool Cover
Investing in a pool cover is an intelligent solution for several pool issues. A pool cover protects pool water from UV rays, helping to maintain the chemical balance. It also prevents water evaporation and can protect your pool from dirt, leaves, and organic litter when not in use.
Pool Maintenance Schedule Chart
It is important to note that maintaining your pool depends on your unique pool condition, weather, and frequency of use.
However, the table below shows a generalized pool schedule to help you understand when you should maintain your backyard pool.
| Frequency | Task/Action |
| Daily |
|
| Bi-Weekly |
|
| Weekly | Shock the pool |
| Monthly | Inspect pool equipment. |
| Seasonal |
|
| Yearly |
|
What are the benefits of pool maintenance?
Following are some pros of a well-maintained backyard pool.
Balanced Water Chemistry
Maintenance and cleaning are crucial to balancing the composition and level of the pool chemicals. A clean and fresh pool sustains optimal chemical levels, which are beneficial for swimmers’ health, pool safety, and equipment durability.
Clear Crystal Pool
Regular cleaning keeps the pool walls, equipment, water, and floor tidy and sparkling clean, soothing both the body and the soul.
Saving Energy & Expenditure
A clean and well-maintained pool saves energy and expenditure on expensive repairs and renovations. It also maintains the pool appliances in top condition.
What are the risks of not maintaining your pool?
Here are the potential risks of not maintaining your pool.
- A neglected pool can cause bacteria, viruses, and algae growth.
- Imbalances in the chemistry and water quality can cause skin issues, diarrhea, and irritation of the eyes and ears.
- Neglecting your pool can lead to problems with the pool’s liner, filter, and other equipment.
- Sweat, sunscreen, hair products, and bacteria can make the swimming pool water unsuitable for swimming.
- Cracks or structural or equipment impairments can pose safety concerns for swimmers.
Silverline Pools: Your Best Summer Pool Maintenance Company
Silverline Pools is your first choice for pool maintenance. Our expert pool care team is available 24/7 to maintain your pool’s crystal clear, year-long function. We provide quality pool service, energy-efficient equipment, pool repairs, and replacement of outdated materials.
The good news is that Silverline Pools provides expert pool maintenance services within economical budgets. From checking pool chemistry to installing energy-saving equipment, we have your back.
How often should I apply shock treatment in the summer?
We recommend shocking your pool every week to two weeks.
How many hours should I run my pool in the summer?
For optimal water circulation in the summer, run your pool pump for at least 10 to 12 hours a day.
Should I run the pump when shocking the pool?
Running the pump during pool shock treatment is an excellent way to disperse and dissolve shock chemicals throughout the pool.
Wrapping Up
A well-maintained pool enhances your backyard elegance, provides healthy water for swimming, and prolongs the life of the pool equipment. It is essential to know your pool’s condition and clean it accordingly.
The overall conclusion of this blog is to follow the tips below for your pool maintenance.
- Empty the skimmer basket and pump basket
- Rinse or backwash your filter.
- Shock the pool
- Drain and refill your pool
- Clean decking and pool surrounding areas
- Repair minor damages
- Invest in a pool cover
