Pool Maintenance Guide 101

As we stated last week, with different water systems comes different kind of maintenance, but regardless there are some things all pools need. Take note of the equipment for cleaning that all pool owners should have and chemicals that will keep your pool fresh.

Equipment Needed: 

Filter

Filter Media

Pump

Heater

Test Strips

Pool cover

Cleaning:

Telescope pole: The primary tool — used to vacuum, brush or skim any pool width as it extends and shrinks to fit your needs.

Vacuum: The hose and head work together alongside the telescope pole to suck up any unwanted debris.

Filter cleaner: Help your filter do its job by regularly removing residue buildup from your filter.

Pool shock: "Shocking” refers to the process of adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to your pool in order to raise the "free chlorine” level to a point where contaminates such as algae, combined chlorine (also known as chloramines) and bacteria are destroyed.

Chemicals 

A combination of chlorine, algaecide, bromine, alkalinity balancers, and pH balancers are needed to properly clean the pool. 

Chlorine and bromine- Both work to break down bacteria but both of these sanitizers are vulnerable to the sun’s UV light, but adding a conditioner to chlorine helps slow down this process 

Bromine- Best served for pools with warmer temperatures like hot tubs or spas. 

Consider replacing chlorine tablets or liquid with a salt chlorinator, as salt-chlorinated water isn’t as abrasive on skin. Algaecides are copper-based treatments that stop algae in its tracks from growing on the surface, walls and steps of your pool. Alkalinity balancers and pH balancers work differently to maintain the chemistry of your pool, and too high or low readings of either can leave room for lime or bacteria growth and make your pool water cloudy.