Pool Maintenance and Safety: Pool Care and a Safe Swimming Environment
Pool maintenance is needed just like your car or health with regular checkups. Your pool is a complex system that requires routine checks to make sure that it’s safe to swim in. Between the chemicals that go into the water, the filtration system that keeps things clean, and the equipment that is used in and around the pool, you need to keep your pool in tip-top shape to keep it safe and fun for everyone. Here are a few pool maintenance tips for you to follow!
Chemical Care
Your pool’s chemicals are what keeps all the little nasty bacteria from thriving and making you or your family sick. It’s a very delicate balance that’s needed, too much or too little of something can lead to ineffective protection or serious chemical burns. You need to do regular checks of the sanitizer levels, alkalinity, pH levels, calcium hardness, and more at least once or twice a month (or anytime you think something is wrong with your water). This can be done using a water testing kit, which can be found at any pool store and many hardware stores.
The other important thing with your pool chemicals is to keep them stored properly. They need to be kept in a cool and dry location, away from curious children or animals. You also need to do your research to figure out which chemicals need to be stored away from each other, as some of them can react in negative ways.
Pool Maintenance – Interior and Exterior
Keeping your pool clean inside and out is key to a safe pool environment. You need to do regular cleanings of the inside of your pool to break down anything that may be growing on the lining or ladders, as well as get rid of anything that falls into your pool. Use a pool skimmer to remove debris, a pool brush for scrubbing away algae, and a pool vacuum to get the rest. Investing in an automatic pool cleaner can save you a little extra effort if you want!
For the exterior, you want to make sure that your pool’s surrounding areas are kept clean of dirt and debris. You also want to make sure that these surfaces are made as slip-proof as possible. You can achieve this through methods like paint or texture, or even mats at the entry and exit points of the water.
Circulation System
This is both the heart and the liver of your pool, so it needs to be kept in great shape. Your filter pulls out impurities in the water, cleaning it before returning it. Your pool pump runs the show, keeping everything moving. Making sure that each of these parts is kept clean and maintained is what will keep your pool safe to swim in.
You should be running your pool pump for at least 10 hours each day (more if you live in a warmer climate). You should also regularly backwash or clean your pool’s filter, ideally whenever the filter gauge is showing 10 psi or higher, as well as clean out the skimmer basket to prevent the buildup of leaves and other debris.
Your pool is a great source of fun for the whole family, but it can also be a source of danger if you aren’t keeping up with pool maintenance properly. Following these suggestions and doing your part to keep your pool ready is the best way to keep yourself safe this summer as you beat the Florida heat. Keep it clean, keep it balanced, and keep it cool!
Don’t forget to install a Baby Barrier Safety Fence. These are specifically designed for each pool to keep your family, pets and guest safer, even when you are not watching your pool. Check out all the safety fence options and schedule your estimate today!
Now get out keep up with your pool maintenance and have fun!
