So you have yourself a new pool, congratulations! You have introduced a wonderful novelty in your home, one you and your family will be able to enjoy for decades to come. By now, your contractor or manufacturer might have informed you about the importance of regular pool maintenance in order to ensure its longevity, durability, and also to maintain a safe and healthy swimming area.

Fortunately, regular pool maintenance doesn’t have to be a tedious chore, rather it can be a rewarding habit. You simply need to stick to several simple solutions that will keep your swimming pool looking and feeling sparkling clean all-year-round!

Brush the tiles and vacuum the surface
As a general rule of thumb, you should vacuum and brush the surfaces of your swimming pool once a week for maximum cleanliness and hygiene. If not brushed on a weekly basis, harmful algae and calcium residue will start forming and accumulating and will become serious problems and safety hazards.

There are different types of pool surface materials, and depending on your particular unit, you should only use the proprietary cleaners and tools as instructed by the manufacturer. For fiberglass, vinyl or tile walls, use a soft brush. Use a stiff brush for concrete walls.

Additionally, vacuuming on a weekly basis will reduce the overall amount of chemicals you need to add to the water as the vacuum will help in maintaining hygiene. If you have a manual vacuum, be sure to slightly overlap each stroke and work your way across the entire surface thoroughly. Check the filters as well when you’re done.

Eliminate debris and clean out the baskets
You can easily maintain the cleanliness of your pool by skimming the surface every couple of days using a long-handled net, also known as a hand skimmer. Remove any leaves, debris or insects. By skimming the surface, you will decrease the amount of chlorine needed and improve the pool’s circulation system as well.

Secondly, be sure to clean out the strainer baskets at least once a week to help with circulation and in order to maintain pH levels. You can easily find strainer baskets in the pool deck if you have an in-ground unit or attached to the side of the pool if you have an above-ground pool.

Clean the filter
The filter should be cleaned regularly, but not too often as changing the filter frequently can actually impair the process itself. You can clean the filter based on how often you use the pool and the filter type, usually per the manufacturer’s instructions. As a general rule, you should clean the filter when you notice an increase in flow between the pressure gauge and flow meter if the discrepancy reaches 4.5 to 6.8 kilograms per square inch.

Maintain the pH level
You should examine the water regularly to ensure it is healthy and clean, making sure that the pH scale always shows a value between 7.2 and 7.8. These are the ideal conditions in which the water is safe for swimmers while your sanitizers will be able to work properly.

Maintain adequate water levels
Due to regular water loss from swimming, splashing, and evaporation that happens throughout the swimming season, it is important to check and maintain a water level in order to ensure the longevity and structural integrity of your pool and your equipment, such as the pump.

You can check the water level when you perform your weekly surface maintenance, and if the level drops below the level of the skimmer, it’s time to fill it back up. Otherwise, the pool pump could be damaged permanently. Use a hose to replenish the water supply.

It might seem like a lot to take in at first, but luckily, Mr. Pool Man offers a range of pool supplies that will allow you to maintain the cleanliness and longevity of your pool with ease.

Regular pool maintenance is essential in ensuring a safe, fun and clean swimming environment your entire family can enjoy throughout the swimming season!

Author:  Lillian Connors