Simple Pool Maintenance Habits That Save You Money
Image: Photo by Max Vakhtbovych: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-modern-house-with-swimming-pool-8134745/
Owning your own pool is somewhat of a luxury. However, it's a luxury that can become ridiculously expensive if you don't keep on top of the maintenance and repairs. But luckily, it's not actually that hard to keep your pool in good condition. The main trick for keeping your pool in good condition is to make sure you're performing small regular tasks that help avoid things from building up and deteriorating from neglect, and costing you a small fortune to rectify.
Let's take a look at a few things to focus on.
Test Your Water Chemistry Regularly
Water chemistry is the foundation of good pool maintenance. It's also one of the areas most likely to result in expensive problems if ignored. pH, chlorine levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness all need to stay in fairly narrow ranges, and if they drift out of balance, the consequences can range from cloudy water and algae growth to corroded equipment and damaged pool surfaces, to name a few.
Testing weekly with a reliable test kit or test strips takes a few minutes and lets you catch imbalances early before that becomes a bigger problem. Adjusting the chemicals now, in small regular amounts, is far cheaper and easier than trying to correct a pool that has been neglected for weeks and has turned green or cloudy as a result.
Skim and Brush Regularly
If you let leaves, debris, and dirt settle and sink, they'll do more than just make your pool look dirty and untidy. Organic debris breaks down and feeds algae growth, and if you let dirt settle on pool walls and floors, you can cause surface stains to occur if it's not removed.
Just skimming the surface a few times a week and brushing the walls and floor at least once a week will keep debris from accumulating and will reduce the load on your filtration system. It's a really quick, easy, and low-effort cleaning job when done regularly, as opposed to a much bigger cleaning job down the line.
If you don't have the time or it becomes an overwhelming task to keep on top of, instead of leaving, why not work with a local pool maintenance company that can come around on predetermined dates to help you keep your pool clean and free from dirt and debris, and make sure nothing is settling where it shouldn't be?
Keep the Filter Clean
Your pool's filter is doing constant work. It's running continuously to keep the water clear, and if you have a dirty or clogged filter, it cannot do its job effectively. When this happens, it puts more strain on the pump, which in turn reduces water clarity and makes it harder to maintain proper chemical balance even when you are testing and treating the water regularly.
Depending on the type of filter you have, this might mean you need to backwash a sand filter, rinse a cartridge filter, or clean a DE filter on a regular schedule.
Also, check the water pressure gauge regularly, too. This will tell you when you need to change or clean your filter. A well-maintained filter will extend the life of your pump and reduce the energy needed to keep the water circulating properly.
