Your swimming pool is the centerpiece of family fun and home to hours of summertime fun. Unfortunately, without the proper maintenance, your sparkling pool will become smelly, dirty, and just plain gross. Swimming pool maintenance isn’t nearly as fun as splashing and swimming, but the right techniques can make it a breeze that allows you to quickly get back to enjoying the water. This article covers all the details of general pool maintenance which will help you not only enjoy your pool more this season, but make your pool and it’s equipment last longer year-to-year.
We’ll be covering the following topics:
- Basic Pool Maintenance
- Cleaning (Pumps, Filters and Skimmers)
- Cleaning (Vacuums and Robots)
- Water Chemistry
4 Steps to Basic Swimming Pool Maintenance
Basic cleaning of your swimming pool includes cleaning the water, scrubbing the vinyl walls, keeping filters maintained, and clearing the area around your pool. Use these five steps to make cleaning your swimming pool an easy task that will barely interrupt your summer fun.
1. Skim the Surface
Debris accumulates on your pool’s surface every day. Removing this matter will keep the water fresh and allow you to deep clean less frequently. Attach your skimmer net to a telescopic pole and sweep it across your pool’s surface to remove debris. As the net gets dirty, shake debris onto the ground before putting the net back into the water. Skimming the water daily will prevent debris from sinking to the bottom of the pool.
2. Brush the Walls
The walls of your pool need to be scrubbed to remove dirt, chemical residue, and potential algae growth. Grab that telescopic pole again and attach the pool brush. Brush the walls, ladder, and corners of your pool. Take the time necessary to ensure you don’t skip any tight spaces that could allow algae to grow. Brushing pushes stuck-on dirt and algae into the water making it easier for chemicals or your pool vacuum to remove.
3. Vacuum the Floor
Attach your vacuum head and hose to the telescopic pole to clear debris from the bottom of your pool. To eliminate air from the system, lower the vacuum to the bottom of the pool and push the other end of the hose against a jet. When bubbles stop forming, air is purged from the vacuum and you’re ready to get to work.
Remove the strainer basket from your skimmer inlet and plug your vacuum hose into the suction port at the bottom of the skimmer.
automatic-pool-cleaners
Slowly move your vacuum head over the entire floor of the pool to remove settled dirt and debris. Avoid rushing this job and stirring up debris that will eventually settle back to the bottom of your pool. When cleaning is complete, turn the filtration system back on to remove anything you missed.
Note: Automatic cleaners are also available. While they’re more expensive than a manual vacuum, they make the job considerably easier.
4. Clean the Filter
Cleaning your pool is useless if you neglect the filter. In fact, you’ll be cleaning a lot more often if your pool’s filter isn’t clean enough to circulate the water effectively. Your pool likely has one of three types of filters. Each type requires a different cleaning method. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean your filter.
Backwashing Your Pool Filter
Backwashing is the act of running your pool pump backward to flush out the system. Sand and DE filters can be backwashed for a quick clean but must be cleaned thoroughly once or twice a year. To backwash your pool, turn off the filter and connect the backwash hose to the filter’s waste port. Turn the valve to backwash. Turn the filter on for about two minutes. Turn the filter off and set the valve to rinse. Turn the system on for another minute. Turn the system off and set the valve to filter. If you have a DE filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to add DE.
Cleaning Your Pool Filter
how to backwash your filter sand Sand Filter: Backwash the filter then turn off the pump and set it to filter. Open the pump lid and add sand filter cleaner per manufacturer’s instructions. Turn on the pump for 10-15 seconds to carry the cleaner into the sand filter. Turn off the pool pump and leave it off for 8 hours or overnight. Complete the process by backwashing again and turning the filter back to the normal setting.
Cartridge Filter: Turn off the pump and filter and release air from the system. Open the filter and remove the cartridge. A damaged cartridge will have to be replaced. If the cartridge isn’t damaged, begin by rinsing it thoroughly with a garden hose. If the filter still looks dirty, clean with a commercial filter cleaner or soak it overnight. When the filter is clean, replace or lubricate the O ring. Rinse the cartridge and replace it in the filter. Complete the process by turning the pool filtration system back on.
DE Filter: Wear gloves and a face mask to clean your DE filter. Backwash the system, turn off the pump, and remove air from the system. Open the drain plug to let water drain from the filter. Open the filter tank and rinse out the tank. Rinse off the manifold and filter grids then check for damage. If the manifold or grids are still dirty clean with a commercial cleaner or soak overnight. Replace or lubricate the O ring and return the manifold and grids to the tank. Following your manufacturer’s instructions, create a slurry of DE and water. Turn on the pump and release air from the system. Within 60 seconds pour the slurry into the pool skimmer.
You can certainly call us at 1st Call Jupiter Pools for services when you need a pool service or an occasional deep cleaning, but it may be more cost effective to work with a us on a regular basis. We provide pool services to Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island.
Give us a call 561-207-8600 and get an estimate for ongoing pool service and maintenance.
