If you have a home pool on your property, keeping up with swimming pool maintenance is critical. Homeowners should know the basic parts of their swimming pool and their functions in order to better maintain the pool.

Basic Components

• Pool Water

Pool water should be kept clean and clear to protect you and your family from pollutants.

• Pool Walls

The pool walls should be in good condition and clear of mold and algae to keep your pool clean and safe.

• Pool Filter System

The pool filter system consists of the pool pump and pool filter. The pool pump circulates the water in the pool. The pool filter clears contaminants from the pool water. Without a functioning filter system, your pool water would become polluted.

• Skimmers and Returns

The pool skimmers pull the pool water into the pool filter for cleaning, while the pool returns push the clean pool water back into the swimming pool.

5 Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips

Skim and Scrub the Pool

Skim debris and leaves off the pool water’s surface with a net. Skimming should be done on a daily basis. The swimming pool walls should be scrubbed to prevent algae from building up. Use a scrub brush to keep the pool walls clean. Scrubbing should be done at least once a week.

Clean the Filters

The pool filter is cleaned by removing the filter cap, located on the swimming pool deck, and lifting out the filter basket. Clean out all the debris from the filter basket. It is best to clean out the filter basket at least once a week.

Check the Pool Chemistry

The pool’s chemical levels are one of the most vital factors in swimming pool maintenance. Improperly balanced pool water will irritate skin and eyes and grow bacteria. Pool water chemistry consists of the following:

• pH levels: pH is the measure of how basic or acidic the pool water is. High pH levels are basic, while low pH levels are acidic. The ideal pool pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.
• Alkalinity: Alkalinity helps to keep the pH in balance. The ideal range is 80-120. Test alkalinity twice a week.
• Sanitizer levels: Chlorine is used in the pool water as a sanitizer to keep the water free of germs.

Shock With Chlorine

Shocking the pool is a swimming pool maintenance method where you drastically raise chlorine levels for a short time to kill bacteria. The chlorine or chemical sanitizer used is increased up to 5 times the regular amount. The best time to shock the pool is at night because sunlight reduces chlorine. Shock the pool at least twice every season.

Monitor the Water Level

The pool level should be right at the center level of the pool skimmer for optimal pool performance. If the water level is too low, it will run the pump dry and burn it out. If the water level is too high, the skimmer door which keeps debris in the skimmer, will not work correctly. Test the pool’s chemistry after adding water.

St. James Home Services provides home and pool inspections to Durham and the surrounding NC counties. Contact us to book an appointment.