While Canadian summers appear to be getting shorter and shorter each year there’s nothing like a sparkling-clean swimming pool to dive into when the heat and humidity do show up. Operating and maintaining your pool can be a relatively easy task if you stay on top of things. There are several regular maintenance chores that should be performed to keep your pool as refreshing as can be and these are three of the most important.
Regular Cleaning
It’s essential to keep your swimming pool as clean as you can at all times and this is one of the simplest and most basic tasks for Canadian pool owners. Any time you see debris in and around your pool it’s a good idea to remove it as soon as possible instead of overlooking it. While leaves and insects may not appear to be harmful when floating in the water they can often clog up the filter. If the filter is clogged or isn’t cleaned regularly it won’t be able to function to its potential as the water flow will be somewhat restricted. This often results in unhealthy and unsafe swimming conditions and it can also burn out the pump motor.
Weekly cleanings are also highly recommended to make sure the pool provides you and your family clean, healthy water at all times. This will also keep your pool in tip-top shape and as attractive as can be. While vacuuming will take care of the bottom of the pool it’s always a good idea to give the walls a good brushing down. This can be done with a nylon brush and it will help reduce the chance of algae and bacteria growing in the water.
Testing the Water Chemistry
You don’t really have to know anything about chemistry to make sure your swimming-pool water is properly balanced. If the chemical balance is adjusted correctly you’ll always be able to enjoy excellent swimming conditions. When the right amount of chemicals are present in the water they will help fight off scales, algae, and cloudiness. It’s important to check the chlorine and pH levels on a regular basis. If you find the pH level is too high then the chlorine will become less effective. You can always reduce the pH level by adding the right amount of dry acid (sodium bisulphate) or liquid hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid). If the pH level is too low, it can be increased with an alkali such as soda ash (sodium carbonate).
Running the Pump
Some Canadian swimming pool owners will try to save on electricity costs by running their pool pumps on an intermittent basis. It’s true that a swimming-pool pump doesn’t need to run continuously for 24 hours, but it should be turned on every day. This is because the water needs to circulate regularly so it won’t become stagnant, turn cloudy, and attract bugs, and algae. Running the pump will save you extra cleaning work in the long run and it could also save money in possible future repairs and maintenance. Generally, it’s a good idea to operate the pump for an hour for each 10 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature. For example, if it’s 80 degrees then outside it’s recommended that you run the pump for eight hours. There’s a greater chance of algae showing up in your pool in warmer weather and one of the easiest ways to combat this is to simply run the pump for at least eight hours a day.
Proper Maintenance equals more Enjoyment
Just remember, if you keep your swimming pool clean and properly maintained it will offer hours and hours of enjoyment and entertainment all summer long. Preventative maintenance and consistent cleaning is the best way to achieve this and it will also promote a safe and healthy swimming environment for you and your loved ones. In addition, the life of your pool will be extended and costly repairs can usually be avoided.
Have a question about swimming pool maintenance? Feel free to contact us here with your questions or visit one of our store, we have locations across Ontario.
