What Every Pool Owner Needs To Know About Maintenance

Pool Maintenance Tips

Ask any pool repair person near Tampa, and they’ll tell you that your swimming pool requires routine maintenance. Regardless of the type of pool you have, the foundation of this maintenance is a strong basic understanding of its essentials.

There are three C’s of proper pool maintenance to remember.
Three simple but important concepts form the foundation of effective pool care. They are:

  • Circulation: Good water circulation keeps your pool clearer, cleaner, and safer.
  • Cleaning: According to pool repair professionals, both nature and humans using your pool near Tampa bring lots of things into the pool that don’t belong there (e.g., leaves, mold, shampoos, perfumes, hair products), plus there are the risks of bacterial contamination all of which make cleaning your pool essential. You’ll want to skim, brush, and vacuum your pool weekly.
  • Chemistry: While this may sound intimidating and complicated, it’s essential, and pool builders say it’s also surprisingly straightforward. Your water testing kit will help you with the three most important parts of pool water chemistry, which are: (1.) pH levels tell you how acidic (low levels) or basic (high levels) your pool water is. Ideally, you want it to be 7.2 – 7.6. (2.) Alkalinity works as a pH buffer and helps avoid huge pH spikes. Ideally, you want it to be 80 – 140 parts per million (ppm). (3.) Sanitizer levels have to do with the amount of chlorine and bromine in your pool/spa water. The correct level will depend on the type of sanitizer you use.

Pool builders near Tampa suggest that you create a pool cleaning schedule.
Now that you’re learning more about your pool and its maintenance needs, your to-do list may feel a little intimidating. Pool builders in the Tampa vicinity highly recommend establishing a systematic pool repair and maintenance routine. This ensures you remain organized and never miss crucial tasks such as testing and balancing the water chemicals, cleaning filters and baskets, brushing the walls, and vacuuming the pool. Don’t make your schedule more complex than it needs to be, though. Once you’ve created your schedule, make sure you keep it in a place where you’re sure to look at it occasionally.

Pool repair professionals near Tampa say you need to learn how to shock your pool correctly.
Pool sanitation is crucial for maintaining the cleanliness of your pool, especially after a rainstorm or a pool party. These events introduce organic matter, such as leaves, dirt, and debris, into the pool, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria and algae. To avoid this, pool repair professionals recommend adding pool sanitizer/shock to your pool water. This is because pool sanitizer helps to eliminate harmful microorganisms in the water, leaving your pool clean and safe for swimming. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and application instructions when using pool sanitizer to ensure its effectiveness and to prevent any potential damage to the pool or its equipment.

Don’t overlook your pool while on vacation.
There are a few suggestions that pool builders have for when you go on vacation, including:

  • Have a neighbor or friend who owns a pool check on your pool daily. While they’re there, have them empty the skimmer basket(s), test the water, and add any necessary chemicals like shock/sanitizer, chlorine tablets, or salt for a saltwater pool.
  • Make sure your pool runs at least 8 – 12 hours each day. You want your pool filter to turn the water over at least two times per day.
  • Have your water professionally checked before leaving for vacation. Make sure you balance any issues that you’re told about so that your pool doesn’t turn into a swamp while you’re away.

Keep it simple!
None of this has to be complicated, but it does need to be done. If you’re too busy to do this yourself, you should know that JJB Pools & Spa, near Tampa, specializes in pool construction and maintenance. They have made a name for themselves in the community as a dependable pool builder because of their knowledge and experience. JJB Pools & Spa is the company to call for all of your pool-related needs, whether you’re looking to build a gorgeous new pool or you need pool repairs for your current one.

Picture Credit: iStock