You’ve got your pool noodles ready and your goggles all set for a day of pool relaxation but something’s just not right with your pool water. This is one of the things that most pool owners forget when they build their pools. They think that once a pool is built, it’s going to stay pristine and perfect forever. But that’s just not the case. Your swimming pool, much like anything else in your life, needs attention and care.
Knowing your pool inside and out
The first step to mastering pool maintenance is to actually know what the basic components of your pool, how they work, and how to take care of each component. By knowing the parts of your pool, you’re breaking down the maintenance bits into smaller and more manageable segments that can keep you from getting overwhelmed right from the get-go. So what are the parts of the pool? Here’s a quick list.
- Pool Filtration System
- Pool Water
- Pool Surfaces
Think of your pool as a living being. Your pool filtration system circulates the pool water and keeps it moving around. The pool water, is the lifeblood of your pool. Without water, there is no pool. The pool surfaces are what keeps everything together. We’ll go more into each part down below.
Pool Filtration System
Nothing spells disaster more than stagnant water. Your pool filtration system keeps your pool alive by circulating the water and filtering out all of the bad stuff as it goes. The pool filtration system has two main components; your pool pumps and your pool filters.
Pool Pumps
Pool pumps suck water through one end and expel filtered water through the other end. Sound simple enough? You bet it is. Many of the pool pumps nowadays feature user friendly dials and buttons that can easily be operated by anyone with minimal instruction.
Ideally, pool pumps should be running all the time to keep the water circulating and to prevent algae, moss, and other pool contaminants from settling down on pool surfaces.
We understand that keeping pool pumps running all the time isn’t within everyone’s budgets. So at the very least, try to keep the pool pumps running for at least 6-8 hours a day. This should ensure that your pool water is clean most of the time and algae doesn’t have time to settle on the surfaces.
Tip: Run your pump at off-peak times to save on electricity costs.
Another option for those who really want to keep their pool water in tip-top condition is to get a pump with ECO Variable modes. Unlike traditional pumps that only have one setting “ON”, ECO pumps like the Water TechniX Pump Switch ECO Variable Speed have different speeds that you can adjust to save on electricity costs and at the same time keep the pump running for as long as it is needed. In fact, most people will say that these pumps have paid for themselves after a year or two of use just through the energy savings that they Provide.
Pool Filters
Filters… well, they filter the water that the pump draws in. While it may sound like it’s just a minor part, it’s actually one of the key components in your system. Without a proper filter, all the pump is doing is pushing the water around.
The more your pump is running, the more you need to keep an eye on your sand filter. If your filter is dirty then then you might need to give it a good backwash.
If backwashing fails, it might be time to get a new sand filter. Don’t stress too much though, sand filters are very durable and they last for years on end. You probably won’t be needing a new one any time soon, but if you do, check out our extensive list of pool sand filters below.
Cartridge Filters
Cartridge filters are self-contained filters that should be cleaned out every few weeks. If you religiously clean your pool and filter, it shouldn't take more than a hose-down to clean them. If a hose-down doesn't work then they should deep cleaned using a specially formulated filter cleaner. A deep-clean of your cartridge filter is quite simple, just give it an overnight soak (at least 12 hours, giving it a shake halfway through) and then hose it off. It's that simple!
Is your cartridge filter still gunky after a deep clean? Or are the filters themselves looking squishy? It might be time to replace it. Cartridge filters, depending on the chemicals you use on your pool or how often you clean them out can last anywhere between one and five years. It might be time to replace them. We've come up with a guide on how to correctly measure your filters for replacement down below. Be sure to check it out if you think it's time to replace your cartridge filter.
Already know what cartridge filter you need? Check out our entire collection of cartridge filters! We have every size for almost every manufacturer out there!
Pool Water
While it may sound so simple, pool water is actually the most complicated part of maintaining a pool. Your pool’s lifeblood needs a lot of attention so you should always be testing it to make sure that the pool chemical levels are all at their optimal levels.
We have dedicated a whole post on how to make sure that your pool water stays in tip top condition the whole year round so be sure to check out our post on it by clicking the button below.
A good rule of thumb when it comes to pool water maintenance is to always keep a supply of pool chemicals on hand. The reason for this is that if you find anything off when testing the water, you’ll always have the right chemicals to treat the problem as soon as possible. Remember, pool water problems can escalate very fast and it may lead to more drastic solutions to fix.
Pool Surfaces
Algae just don’t form while floating. They need to stick and root to surfaces before they can bloom and cause a nuisance and become visible in the water. Algae that have taken root on pool surfaces will stay there until manually removed so you may have to manually vacuum your pool to take them out. Manually vacuuming your pool is a long process and we have detailed each step of the vacuuming process down below.
If you have a large pool and the thought of manually vacuuming it sends a chill down your spine, then don’t worry, we feel you. In fact, a lot of people have gone with the option of getting a robotic pool cleaner to keep their pool surfaces clean with just a press of a button.
Tip: While it may look like a large upfront investment, it pays for itself in the long run. Think of all the hours you’ll save trying to keep the pool surfaces clean. Not only that, by having a robotic pool cleaner, you’re ensuring that every inch of your pool surface will be scrubbed clean of algae, giving them no chance to grow. Remember, a small patch of missed algae can still balloon and grow exponentially in no time at all.
Summary
That’s basically it. Know your pool and keep every component in top condition as soon as there are any signs of problems and you should have no problems in maintaining your swimming pool. As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Products Featured in this Blog Post
New Pool owner? We have more tips for you below for your pool maintenance:
- 33 Things All New Pool Owners Should Know About
- Do THIS, not THAT. Swimming Pool Tips and Tricks
- Getting Back into the (Pool) Groove
Do you have any questions about this topic or the featured products? No worries, we're here to help! Drop us a question down below and we'll get back to you ASAP.
Happy swimming :)