Having a pool is more than just floating on a raft all afternoon. Homeowners have to learn how to clean a pool because pool maintenance is one of the crucial parts of having one.
Having a pool requires plenty of work and money for you. You have tasks each week and month to ensure everything is functioning correctly. If you don’t want to spend the money for a pool professional, creating a checklist of all of your tasks makes sure that you don’t miss anything.
The Right Pool Cleaning Supplies
Before you start learning how to clean a pool, always make sure you have the right supplies on hand. You need to have a telescopic pole so you can reach down into the water without getting wet.
You also need a leaf skimmer or a skimmer net. It’s a small net that attaches to the telescopic net that removes leaves and debris from your pool. Another tool you need to have is a pool brush. It’s used to clean the sides, ladders, and steps of your pool. Pool brushes get clogged with dust and debris, so make sure you clean it often.
A pool vacuum is another tool that you need to clean swimming pool floors. Pool owners can purchase automatic cleaners or manual cleaners. Automatic cleaners mean less work for you, but they are more expensive. Manual cleaners are cheaper, but you have to do more work on your end.
How to Clean a Pool
Let’s take a look at pool cleaning 101 and all of the tasks you need to remember. One thing to remember is that maintenance is simple and doesn’t take too much time. While there are several tasks you need to complete, it will only take a few moments each week.
Twice a Week
- Using test strips or a testing kit, check your pool water balance. The pH levels should be from 7.4 to 7.6. Checking at least twice a week lets you catch any changes before it becomes too difficult to change.
- You need to test and maintain the free available chlorine level at 1.0 to 3.0 ppm.
- Skim the surface of the pool with a leaf skimmer. This task can be completed more than twice a week. If you’re going for a swim, skim the pool. It’s the easiest part of pool maintenance.
- Remember to empty the skimmer basket and skim leaves, insects, and other floating debris from the pool surface.
Once a Week
- Now, you want to brush the walls and use a pool vacuum to clean the floors. You should clean the tiles at the waterline with a cleaner. Another choice is to purchase an automatic pool cleaner for all of the daily cleaning needs of your pool. That makes your life just a bit easier.
- Brush the pool ladder as well. You want to remove grime from the ladder so that you or your kids don’t fall when they step on it. Pool ladders are an area with poor water circulation, so they might need more attention.
- Plan to vacuum your pool once a week because debris and bacteria build up on the bottom of your pool. You use a pool vacuum the same way you would vacuum your carpet; it moves across the bottom of the pool. Some automatic cleaners mean you don’t have to vacuum yourself.
- Once a week, shock the pool by adding the amount of product recommended by a local professional. Sometimes, you need to shock your pool after a rainstorm or even after scorching weather. Pool shocking helps target bacteria released by hair, urine, and sweat. If you have any worries about contamination, pool shock is the way to go.
- Now, add a maintenance dose of an algae preventer to prevent any algae growth. You might also want to try a clarifier regularly, but it doesn’t have to be every week.
Monthly Tasks
- Take a water sample for your professional pool company that helps you thoroughly analyze your swimming pool water.
- At this time, you also want to test a few other chemicals in your pool. Adjust calcium hardness, total dissolved solids, and total alkalinity. Your total alkalinity should be in the range of 120-150 ppm.
- Look for holes and tears in your vinyl liner. You want to catch holes as quickly as possible to make the appropriate repairs.
Infrequent Tasks
- Now, twice a year, clean your filter with a clean filter to remove any oils and grease. These things accumulate on your filter and make it run inefficiently.
- On rainy or windy days, always make sure to test your pool water. Weather can significantly affect your pool chemical levels.
You’re Ready to Clean Your Pool
No one wants to get ready to go dive into their pool, only to find it full of leaves and algae. You need to keep your pool and its surrounding area clean. With the right tools, chemicals, and tasks list on hand, you can be sure your pool is always clean ready for you.