Weekly Pool Maintenance, A Chore No More!

Weekly Pool Maintenance

Having a clean and clear swimming pool is easier than you think. With proper upkeep of pool maintenance and water balance, you will reduce the amount of chemicals needed.

Chemical Maintenance

1. Chlorine should be between 1-3 ppm/Bromine should be between 3-6 ppm. Fill the chlorinator/brominator or add pucks/sticks to the skimmer basket as needed to keep these levels.

Tip: The amount of chlorine/bromine needed varies to the needs of each individual pool. Sanitizer is affected by the amount of swimmers, rain and water temperature.

2. PH level should be between 7.2-7.6 ppm. The Ph level is kept in this range not only for the pool but for the swimmers comfort as a tear has a 7.5ppm, Ph reading. To increase the PH level, add PH increaser and to decrease the PH level add PH decreaser.

Tip: After adjusting the PH wait at least 6 hours before testing the PH level again, for a proper reading. Alkalinity, Calcium and stabilizer levels should also be tested at least once a month by a professional dealer. You can adjust these levels at home, though your testing equipment is more of a guide and not exact.

3. Add an oxidizer/shock to the water, following the application instructions. Using either a 15 minute, 1 hour or 8 hour shock, excluding swimmers, toys and pool covers from the water for the allotted time.

Tip: Always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals and read the directions.

4. Add an algaecide to the water to prevent agae, following application instructions.

Pool Maintenance

1. Using your leaf net, scoop the debris out of the pool. Be careful when removing sticks and rocks, even the smallest of debris can puncture the liner.

2. Vacuum the pool using either your manual or automatic vacuum.

Tip: If a vacuuming is not required take the time to brush down the pool walls. This is the secret to a great looking pool!

Vacuuming procedures

1. Place the vacuum in the pool and fill the hose with water by using the return/jet. Attach the vacuum plate to the hose and place in the skimmer.

2. After vacuuming, check and empty the skimmer and pump baskets.

• Tip: you may need to turn off the pump to remove the skimmer plate if there’s to much suction to remove it.

3. Brush the walls and floor of the pool. Make sure you get behind and around steps, ladders, jets and lights. Anywhere there’s a lack of circulation.

4. Backwash your sand filter. This is not to be done weekly, although it is a part of your pools maintenance. Backwash your filter when the PSI reading is 8-10 higher than normal or you have loss of suction or circulation.

Taking care of the pool doesn’t have to be a chore. A good routine of balancing, weekly chemical additions and minimal cleaning can take no time at all.

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