Brush Up on Your Pool Cleaning Skills Before Summer

Now that summer is within reach, it’s time to start thinking about how you will care for your swimming pool in the coming months. Swimming pools are wonderful investments for the home, and they offer endless hours of fun, relaxation and bonding time. But, if you don’t take care of your pool properly, you’ll soon develop a different attitude toward it. Thankfully, a bit of regular maintenance goes a long way in preventing pool headaches. It’s worth every penny and minute of time to care for your pool, as this will allow you to get the most from your investment.

Here are some tips for brushing up on your pool cleaning skills before the summer gets here.

Establish a Routine
It’s easier to fit things into your schedule when you designate time for them. Use this approach with your swimming pool. If you leave early in the mornings for work, trying to squeeze pool care into your morning routine will only make it more stressful. Instead, choose a time for pool care tasks a few days each week when you won’t feel rushed or distracted.

Make a List
It can help to make a list of all the pool tasks that you need to complete each week. Keep the list in your phone or hang it on the deck near your pool. You can then check off each item, which will make you feel more accomplished and ensure that you didn’t miss anything. Here are a few of the basics to get you started.

• Check pool chemistry 2-3 days each week
• Clean out the skimmer baskets weekly
• Wipe and clean tile line weekly
• Turn off pump and clean it every week or two
• Check and monitor water level once a month
• Clean filters every 4-6 months or after a bad storm

Make Water Balance a Priority
The key to having a safe and successful pool season is to keep your pool water balanced. Your pool water changes regularly due to the weather, dirt, oils, cosmetics and basically anything else that comes into contact with it. You won’t need to change the water for a couple of years thanks to filtration systems and disinfectants, but you will need to keep the water balanced. Balanced pool water has the right levels of pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Invest in the Right Supplies
Before the season starts, check your inventory and stock up on pool equipment and supplies that will get you through the summer. Some supplies may need to be replaced, but others can be reused from year to year (vacuum hose, telescoping poles, skimmer nets, pool brushes, etc.). Having the right equipment within arm’s reach ensures that the job gets done right – and on time.