It's really hot where I live in the summer, and public pools are really expensive to go to. For this reason, ever since we bought our house I've wanted to purchase an above ground swimming pool for my family, as I've discovered that they are much more affordable than I used to think. This summer hopefully I will be buying one, so these pool care tips by Tom Frank are definitely appreciated!
Once you set your eyes on someone else’s pool in the backyard, you probably start dreaming about owning one too. The thing about pools is that at the first glimpse, it’s almost impossible to see the work and money required to keep them in check. Having a pool can be a very exciting turn in your life, from parties to simply swimming in it on the hot days of summer. When pool maintenance is done wrong, it could make you start regretting the decision of ever getting a pool. Using chemicals, cleaning the pool liner, and removing bugs are all activities that you probably don’t enjoy doing.
However, if you manage to set up the right plan for pool care, you’ll get to enjoy it to the fullest. An improperly maintained pool can have the life span of half or even a quarter of a well-maintained one. Taking care of your pool won’t just save you money, but also make the pool experience much more convenient.
Here are the top 5 facts about pool care you should always keep in mind.
Watching out for oils and chlorine
It’s very important to use sunscreen, especially in the summer, before you go into the pool. But what many pool owners may not know is that sunscreen and other oils can make it harder to maintain your pool properly. Tile-brushing, cleaning the pool filter, and netting are all maintenance activities that may need to be doubled to make sure the pool stays as clean as possible. The pool usually starts to smell when chlorine stops working effectively; it’s an indicator that you need to check your chlorine and resupply it more frequently.
Chlorine is the most important chemical used in pools to disinfect them and prepare them for use; a 12 to 15% can kill most bacteria in your pool. Mike Harper, the founder of PoolCareGuy, provides a detailed guide that can help you use liquid chlorine to ensure that your pool is not only clean and disinfected, but also safe for use. It will require calculating the volume of water in your pool and scheduling the pump for overnight use when you add the chlorine.
Establishing a routine
You want your pool not only to look clean, but also be in tip-top shape. This requires a lot of precision in nailing down the maintenance and cleaning of your pool in your schedule. Experts recommend setting the same day every week for adjusting and measuring pool chemicals like chlorine, removing bugs and debris, emptying baskets, and cleaning out the filter. A lot of people may find this to be too much work so it’s recommended to hire a professional to clean it every week.
Setting a sufficient budget
Unfortunately, pool equipment is notoriously vulnerable due to continuous contact with water and chemicals. You should expect to pay money for replacing parts even if you have a well-maintained pool. The equipment and parts may be a bit on the expensive side, so it’s important to make sure that you've set a good budget for any emergencies or breakdowns.
Salt water pools aren’t easy to maintain
A lot of people believe that a salt water pool replicates the chemical balance of ocean water. The problem is that most salt water pools only have one-tenth of the salt concentration in the ocean. While it’s natural, it’s not as environmentally friendly as many people think. Salt water can be damaging to the soil and crops, which makes dumping it in your yard is a very bad idea, not to mention the aggressive rusting of pool parts. You’ll have to use a truck to be able to suck the salt water out of your pool.
Water levels
Your pool’s water level is its pulse. No matter the type of climate you’re in, too high or too low water levels are a red flag. Measuring the pool’s water levels is done by visually checking the skimmer, where water comes in and out. The best water level is when it’s in between the middle and top regions of the skimmer. The pump is negatively affected and could even be heavily damaged when the water levels are too low, while the pool can get very messy if it overflows due to high water levels.
Taking care of your pool is no different in importance than taking care of your vehicle. You and others probably spend a good deal of time in your pool, which makes maintaining it a crucial part of your routine. While some may hate the maintenance part that comes with owning a pool, it always pays off when your pool is clean and healthy at all times.
Once you set your eyes on someone else’s pool in the backyard, you probably start dreaming about owning one too. The thing about pools is that at the first glimpse, it’s almost impossible to see the work and money required to keep them in check. Having a pool can be a very exciting turn in your life, from parties to simply swimming in it on the hot days of summer. When pool maintenance is done wrong, it could make you start regretting the decision of ever getting a pool. Using chemicals, cleaning the pool liner, and removing bugs are all activities that you probably don’t enjoy doing.
However, if you manage to set up the right plan for pool care, you’ll get to enjoy it to the fullest. An improperly maintained pool can have the life span of half or even a quarter of a well-maintained one. Taking care of your pool won’t just save you money, but also make the pool experience much more convenient.
Here are the top 5 facts about pool care you should always keep in mind.
Watching out for oils and chlorine
Chlorine is the most important chemical used in pools to disinfect them and prepare them for use; a 12 to 15% can kill most bacteria in your pool. Mike Harper, the founder of PoolCareGuy, provides a detailed guide that can help you use liquid chlorine to ensure that your pool is not only clean and disinfected, but also safe for use. It will require calculating the volume of water in your pool and scheduling the pump for overnight use when you add the chlorine.
Establishing a routine
You want your pool not only to look clean, but also be in tip-top shape. This requires a lot of precision in nailing down the maintenance and cleaning of your pool in your schedule. Experts recommend setting the same day every week for adjusting and measuring pool chemicals like chlorine, removing bugs and debris, emptying baskets, and cleaning out the filter. A lot of people may find this to be too much work so it’s recommended to hire a professional to clean it every week.
Setting a sufficient budget
Unfortunately, pool equipment is notoriously vulnerable due to continuous contact with water and chemicals. You should expect to pay money for replacing parts even if you have a well-maintained pool. The equipment and parts may be a bit on the expensive side, so it’s important to make sure that you've set a good budget for any emergencies or breakdowns.
Salt water pools aren’t easy to maintain
A lot of people believe that a salt water pool replicates the chemical balance of ocean water. The problem is that most salt water pools only have one-tenth of the salt concentration in the ocean. While it’s natural, it’s not as environmentally friendly as many people think. Salt water can be damaging to the soil and crops, which makes dumping it in your yard is a very bad idea, not to mention the aggressive rusting of pool parts. You’ll have to use a truck to be able to suck the salt water out of your pool.
Water levels
Your pool’s water level is its pulse. No matter the type of climate you’re in, too high or too low water levels are a red flag. Measuring the pool’s water levels is done by visually checking the skimmer, where water comes in and out. The best water level is when it’s in between the middle and top regions of the skimmer. The pump is negatively affected and could even be heavily damaged when the water levels are too low, while the pool can get very messy if it overflows due to high water levels.
Taking care of your pool is no different in importance than taking care of your vehicle. You and others probably spend a good deal of time in your pool, which makes maintaining it a crucial part of your routine. While some may hate the maintenance part that comes with owning a pool, it always pays off when your pool is clean and healthy at all times.
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home design
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summer
swimming