Suspect that your pool needs maintenance but not sure where to begin? Just like your health or shoe closet, proper upkeep is best tackled in smaller, manageable tasks. Still lost? Start with the following:
Test The Water
Designed to maintain a safe and healthy balance, your pool’s chemicals will protect swimmers from bacteria and debris alike. Purchase a DIY test kit and check your pool’s levels on a regular basis. While some tests (Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, and Metals) are are monthly or seasonal, others such as Chlorine and pH should be tested multiple times per week, or proportionally with how often you use your pool.
Vacuum Regularly
Leaves may be great to jump in come autumn, but they’re far from the ideal pool toy. Not only will vacuuming clear your pool of obvious debris, but it will prevent build-up from affecting both the quality of your water and the overall functionality of your pool.
Check For Leaks
While a tiny leak may not drain your pool, it will certainly drain your wallet. Check for wear, tear, and small cracks that may cause damage down the road, or hire a trained professional who knows what to look for and where to look for it (yes, a leak can be under water!).
Clean The Filters
A critical component of pool maintenance, you’ll want to make sure that you clean your pool’s filters at least as often as the manual suggests. Keep up to date with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning schedule, ensuring not just the efficacy of the filters but the overall purity and safety of your pool.
Check Water Levels
With all the hard work you’ll be putting into your pool’s maintenance, you deserve to spend just as much time relaxing in it. Of course, cleaning and carousing will be sure to knock a bit of water over the side, and you’ll want to replenish levels on a consistent basis. As a general rule of thumb, keep water filled to above the skimmer.
See, that wasn’t too hard! As the proud owner of a new pool, you’ll find that the time and effort you put into maintenance are well worth the years of pleasure that you’ll get in return. Just remember, a little per day keeps the damage away! When in doubt, call a pro!