While you definitely want to leave the pool installation job to the experts, you can manage taking care of the pool yourself, if you’ve got the time. Taking care of your pool is very important to make sure the pool’s structure is maintained for many years and to ensure the pool water itself is safe to swim in. Here are a few tips to help you manage your pool like a professional.
Keep Water Chemistry in Check
Chemical levels are among the most important components of good pool maintenance. If the water is not properly balanced, not only will it look murky, but it will also cause skin and eye irritation, and can even be dangerous to your overall health due to growing bacteria. That’s why it’s important to test the water at least once a week. In particular, keep an eye out for the following chemicals:
- Total Alkalinity
- Acidity/Alkalinity
- Cyanuric Acid
- Free Chlorine
- Acidity/Alkalinity
- Calcium Hardness
It’s not difficult to test the water. You just need a simple pool water testing kit, which you can get at any local pool store. But it’s definitely not a step you want to skip.
Shock the Pool When Required
Shocking your pool may be necessary if you notice that the water is murky, cloudy, or after many people have been in it. You might even want to shock the pool after a particularly harsh storm, as this can throw off pool chemistry levels.
Any bacteria that’s in the pool water should be dealt with right away, and shocking the water can significantly increase chlorine levels for a short amount of time to kill it off. Just make sure not to shock your pool too often, or it could damage the siding.
Keep Tabs on the Water Level
The water level is just as important as the chemistry of the water and is an integral part of the pool’s integrity. The level of the water can go up and down after a major downpour of rain or after a lot of splashing around in the pool. If the water level is too low, just fill it back up with your water hose. And if it’s too high, drain any excess with a pump.
