Nothing is better than spending your summer days relaxing at the pool, but nothing ruins one of those classic summer days faster than a dirty pool or even worse a closed pool (due to maintenance). When you don’t regularly take care of your pool you could be looking at a very similar situation. There is a lot that goes into regular maintenance on your pool. If you avoid the responsibilities that come with owning a pool you could be looking at problems down the line. Those problems can start to pile up and can cause larger more expensive problems down the road. Know the products to buy and how to use each so you know how to properly take care of your pool.
What Type of Maintenance Products Should You Buy?
Before you jump into the deep end with your pool maintenance, understand the materials you will need in order to maintain a healthy pool.
Pool Pump
The pool pump is a vital aspect of any pool. It moves the water around so that it does not become stagnant. Stagnant water can lead to algae build-up and can be extremely difficult to clean up. When your pool filter is functioning properly it helps you maintain your chemical balances easier and helps the pool vacuum collect the debris that falls into the pool.
Pool Vacuum
A pool vacuum is just like it sounds – a waterproof vacuum. There are two types of pool vacuums: manual, where you lead the vacuum around with a hose attached; and automatic (this Roomba), which will do the work of the vacuum on its own, no manual labor involved.
Pool Chemicals
There are a couple of chemicals that may be involved, but there are a few main chemicals you will likely be using more frequently that you should always have on hand.
- Chlorine – it either comes in a tablet or granular form.
- Bromine – it’s an alternative to chlorine and also comes in tablets and granular form but is more stable in hotter water like spas.
- pH balancers – these measure the acidity in the water. They come in products like decreasers or bottles.
These chemicals help keep your pool clean and avoid algae buildup within the pool. While this isn’t an extensive list of pool chemicals you will need, you can always visit your local pool company to get a better idea of what chemicals will be needed for your pool maintenance.
Pool Skimmer
Pool skimmers come in a range of options –
- Floating skimmers – these float around in your pool collecting the floating debris and even have the option to include a chlorine puck in them.
- Hand-Held skimmers – This usually looks like a rather large butterfly net. This allows you to walk around your pool and scoop up any debris floating on the surface of the water.
- Skimmers installed around the edges of the pool – a lot of pools have built-in skimmers/filters around the edges of the pool that collect the debris as it floats to the edge.
Most people use a variety of skimmers in order to keep their pools clean.
Pool Air Pillow
This is an inflatable bolster that you put in the middle of your pool underneath your pool cover as you winterize your pool. This pool pillow is designed to help you avoid ice buildup around the edges of your pool. When ice builds up around the pool it can cause damage to the concrete and tile that will need to be repaired before your next swim season. The pillow creates space between the icy water and pool cover, helping to isolate the freezing in the center of the pool – helping you avoid damage to your pool and pool cover.
Pool Cover
A pool cover is pretty simple in concept: it prevents debris from falling into your pool. It also helps keep the water warmer by trapping in any sunlight that may soak through the covers. Installing a pool cover during your colder season allows you to protect your pool from dirt and leaves as well as avoid ice buildup.
Shocking Test Kit
“Shocking” refers to a process by which you insert non chlorine chemicals on a regular basis in the pool to keep it free of algae and bacteria. Some pool test kits can test the pH of your water with pH strips. Other materials for your kit include:
- Enough pool shock to fix your chlorine ratio. This will require some calculation. To decipher the free chlorine, subtract the free chlorine from the total chlorine. The answer is going to be how much chlorine you’ll need to put into the pool. A few of the items included in your shock kit include –
- Testing Sticks – these are little strips that test the chemical levels within your pool and let you know what you might need more of in order to balance the pool.
- A mixing bucket – What you’ll need to premix your shock into.
- Protective gear – this includes gloves and safety glasses, which you’ll need when you eventually work with chemicals.
Using the Right Pool Tools Make the Difference in Your Pool Maintenance
When you think of those warm summer days spent by your sparkling pool, remember the work that goes into maintaining it. You need to have the right supplies on hand to handle the regular maintenance of your pool.
When you don’t know where to start or which tools you need, call a professional pool maintenance company, like us here at Overland Park Pool Cleaning. We are here to help you understand what you need in order to have a successful summer full of pool fun!