When it comes to maintaining your pool there are things that you just should do and should not do. We have all seen some crazy pictures of green or cloudy pools. This blog is to help guide you on what it would look like maintaining your pool on a regular basis and prevent a chemical balancing disaster or even worse – damage to your pool and its equipment. Sometimes, your pool experts will ask you about your source water. Source water is the water that you will be using to fill your pool. Knowing your source water will help determine the best ways to chemically balance your water to begin with – have a starting point. Usually, when you call your local pool technicians, they can give you a good idea of what will be expected in your source water depending on your location. However, a good rule of thumb is to bring in a water sample, to get a great depiction of your source water before adding any chemicals. We know this is a lot of information to take in, and we ask that you relax and save this blog for later, it might even save you a pretty penny in the future. Below is a list of Do’s and Don’ts from your pool experts here at Energy Center-Manhattan Pool:
Do’s
* Balance all the levels – Chlorine, Total Alkalinity, pH levels, Cyanuric Acid, and Calcium Hardness
* Shock your pool at least once a week
* Remove all debris
* Brush your pool weekly
* Clean filters regularly (as needed)
* Fill your pool properly – too low can damage pump and might need to be replaced (water shouldn’t go below skimmer level)
* Test your pH and alkalinity levels
* Add Algaecide
* Run your pump at least 10-12 hours a day or longer, if needed or 24 hours a day with high efficiency pumps
* Have a qualified service technician check your electrical connections
* Use ONLY a soft bristled brush on your vinyl or fiberglass pool weekly
* Use a stainless steel or blended brush on gunite pool weekly
These are the basic guidelines of what maintenance should look like for your pool to keep it running smoothly and keep everyone safe. Some of these tips we go over during pool school around May of each year. This past year we have had our chemical experts come out from Bioguard to update our staff, as well as give our customers some valuable information. If you would like more detailed advice, we recommend that you come in with those questions, along with pictures to help us guide you in the best way.
Don’ts
* Forget the algaecide
* Neglect Chlorine
* JUST vacuum your pool
* Clean you filter too often
* Ignore pH and Alkalinity levels
* Add anything directly through skimmer
* Forget to run your filter – According to Bioguard, approximately 10-12 hours a day
This list of don’t are the obvious ones that we suggest and try to prevent our customers from making those mistakes. Sometimes, maintaining your pool can seem like a daunting task, which is why we take that part out of it and offer weekly pool maintenance and service calls. Follow the link to fill out a service request. If you are ever unsure of something about your pool, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling, texting, or coming into the store. Energy Center-Manhattan Pool is here to make sure that you stay safe and have an enjoyable gathering space. If you are looking at taking a deeper dive into some reading material about pool maintenance and safety, Pool and Hot Tub Alliance has a really great article.
