Are you a new pool owner? Or even if you have owned a pool for a while, do you ever wish your pool could tell you what it needs? Goodall Pools thinks that there are five things your swimming pool is trying to tell you if only it could talk!
Caring for a swimming pool isn’t all that difficult, but there are certain tasks that need to be attended to in order for things to operate properly. Believe us when we say, if you take care of these five things your pool will thank you by providing you with years of great service.
1) Pay Attention to the Circulation
In an ideal world, your pool would love it if you ran your pump and filtration system 24/7. However, that isn’t always practical. Most pools will be happy if you run your circulation system a minimum of 12 hours a day, particularly in the summer during the hours when you receive direct sunlight on your pool.
A variable speed pump is useful because it enables you to control the speed to perform various tasks. They are great energy savers as well and result in lower utility costs, even with running your pump longer.
2) Clean the Pump and Skimmer Baskets
Keeping the pump and skimmer baskets clear of debris really helps the circulation of your pool water. If your pool could talk, it would have you check those skimmer baskets daily, as they do tend to fill up quickly. The more trees and plants around your pool, the more often you should check those baskets.
3) Maintain Your Filter
There are three types of pool filters: cartridge, sand, and DE (diatomaceous earth). Depending on which filter you have and your manufacturer’s instructions, you will clean your filter on a regular basis, usually every 3-6 months. Know what the correct PSI reading on the filter gauge should be for your filter and check it often. If it is high, that means it is time for a cleaning. A dirty filter isn’t doing its job and all the other pool equipment will have to work harder.
4) Keep Your Pool Clean
Keeping your pool clean means skimming floating debris on a daily basis. If something is floating on the surface of the water, it is only a matter of time before it sinks to the bottom and becomes more of a chore to remove. Use a skimmer net with a long pole handle and think of the exercise as a form of daily meditation.
While you are at it, your pool is telling you to use the long-handled brush on the sides, ladders, steps, and other surfaces. Finally, your pool would like to be vacuumed on a weekly basis. An automatic pool vac will make this process a lot easier on you and is definitely worth the expense.
5) Stay On Top of Your Pool’s Chemical Balance
If you keep the chemicals properly balanced in your swimming pool, most of the battle for crystal-clean water will be won. Your pool is trying to tell you that it needs testing 1 or 2 times per week and that it is essential for you to stay on top of chemical balance.
Know the proper pH balance (7.2-7.6) and alkalinity levels (100-150 ppm). Whatever your sanitizer of choice (chlorine, bromine, biguanide), keep it in the right range.
Lastly, be in the habit of adding shock weekly or bi-weekly in the summer. Seriously, your pool would tell you that paying attention to its chemical balance is the number one priority.
Know What Your Swimming Pool Is Trying to Tell You
If you pay attention to these five things your swimming pool is trying to tell you, it will reward you by staying in its best shape and continue to provide you with years of great service. If you have any doubts that you are able to give your pool what it needs, check with our professionals at Goodall Pools. Our certified technicians will keep your pool water in perfect condition all summer long when you sign up for our Prestige Pool Maintenance Services. We offer several plans and know one of them will be right for you.
