Owning your own pool is a fantastic feeling. With the freedom to instantly cool off during the summer, play games with the kids, and dial your parties up another notch, your own pool is a luxury that’s actually not too far out of reach for many homeowners. But becoming a pool owner isn’t something you should take lightly, as maintaining and cleaning your pool can be a full-time job. Follow these steps to avoid any missteps as you prepare for your newfound role as a pool owner:
Be Prepared for Extra Upkeep
To keep your pool clean, you’ll want to swim the surface and bottom of the pool on a daily basis. There are plenty of automated options for cleaning your pool if you have a little extra money to spend, but don’t forget to scrub the sides of the pool, too. This will prevent a build-up of algae along the sides of your pool, but fortunately it doesn’t have to be cleaned more than once per week.
Your pool’s filters need to be cleaned, too – every time you scrub the sides of your pool, take some time to clean your filter basket. Don’t run the filter system constantly, though, as the mechanisms can strain and crack over time. It’s better to set your filter to run on a timer and clean for about six hours per day.
Check the Levels
Your new pool will need chemicals, regardless of shape or size. Balancing the chemical levels on a regular basis is necessary to ensuring safe swimming and keeping bacteria from taking over your pool. At least once per week, you should test the levels of the following:
- Cyanuric Acid
- Free Chlorine
- Acidity
- Alkalinity
- Total Alkalinity
- Calcium Hardness
A few basic testing kits from the store will work just fine, using a sample of your pool water and closing the provided vials. The water in the vials will change colors and with the comparison chart in the kit, you should be able to see the current chemical levels in your water and allow you to make adjustments to achieve the right balance.
The amount of water in your pool will also have an impact on the chemicals in your water and pool leaks can be very expensive. The water is easy enough to replace, but if you have too much in your pool, cycle the pump or use a submergible pump to bring the levels back down to normal. Once you’ve regained the proper water levels, you’ll want to recheck the chemical levels, as they fluctuate with water changes.
Learn How to Protect the Pool
First thing’s first, you’ll want to find a reliable pool technician to check the condition of your pool at least once per year. Your pumps, filters, and heating systems all need the right attention. Leaks and damage to your pool’s lining are also causes for concern, so don’t neglect regular pool maintenance even if you think your pool is fine.
Winterizing your pool is greatly important, as a proper cover or pool enclosure can keep debris and dangerous bacteria out of the water. With the right enclosure or seasonal pool room, you can actually enjoy your pool year-round, regardless of the temperature. With a covered pool area, you can also reduce the amount of chemicals in your water due to decreased exposure to outside pollutants.
Pool enclosures from WeatherPort® are a great way to protect your new pool and extend the life of its essential components by several years. Highly-durable and portable, WeatherPort Pool Enclosures are the ideal alternative to expensive and hard-to-assemble brick and mortar or metal buildings. For more information on a protective pool enclosure for your outdoor pool, contact a WeatherPort building representative today by calling +1-970-399-5909 or using the contact form to get in touch.
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