Swimming Pool Maintenance Made Easy

Swimming pools have become common features of most large homes. Indoor and outdoor pools are great for exercise, leisure and therapy. If you are the proud owner of a swimming pool in your terrace or backyard, then you should pay proper attention to its maintenance. Pool safety and maintenance go hand in hand. Just as you install a high fence around your outdoor pool to prevent kids from entering the pool area under unsupervised conditions, it is important to ensure that the pool water is hygienic and safe to use. A combination of filtration and chemical treatment programs will do the trick. Here are some tips on good swimming pool maintenance.

Maintain optimum chemical levels

Maintain the chlorine content of your pool to optimum levels to ensure adequate protection against bacteria. You can buy sticks or tablets of chlorine and mix them gradually into the pool with chlorine feeder or just let them float in the water. Avoid mixing the chlorine too fast as it will leave lumps of unmixed chlorine in your pool which can corrode the inlet and outlet pipes. You should also check the calcium content of the water. Its level should ideally be between 175 and 225 ppm. An improper balance can cause corrosion and cloudiness in water.

Use algaecides

Swimming pools are breeding grounds for algae. Use an algae inhibitor to prevent more than 15,000 varieties of algae from raiding your pool. An inhibitor is a liquid which you can pour in the water with the pump system distributing it evenly in the pool. Copper-based algaecides are ideal for your swimming pool. They maintain the color of the water and keep it sparkling by arresting the growth of green algae.

Check the pH level of your pool

Check the pH level of the pool water regularly. The level should be between 7.2 and 7.6. A low pH level indicates high acidic water levels while a low pH level suggests alkalinity. Water with high acid content is extremely corrosive and increased alkalinity makes the water incapable of sanitization.

Use shocks

Dry skin cells, body oil, sweat, cosmetics and urine can pollute your pool water. You can shock your pool at regular intervals to get rid of all these impurities. Shocking is the process of oxidizing the water, which removes the ‘bather waste’ from your pool, keeping it clean and sanitized.

Maintenance of pump set

For ideal maintenance of water in your pool, replace the pump every 7 or 8 years. The new models are great for moving large volumes of water and consume less energy. If your pump makes excessive noise, it is an indication of improper machine functioning. Modern pumps are easy to maintain but the rubber or composition pump seals can cause malfunctions and result in short circuits. You should maintain optimum pressure levels in your pool by checking the pressure gauge on a frequent basis.

Safety tips

There are a few safety norms that you should follow while sanitising your pool. Keep hazardous chemicals out of the reach of children. If you are using granular chlorine, dissolve it in a bucket of water before adding it to the pool. Adding water to chlorine can cause explosion. It is always better to add chlorine gradually to the water. It is advisable to use sodium bisulfate or granular pH decreasing agents as opposed to Muratic acid for swimming pools at homes as the latter creates dangerous fumes and is highly corrosive.