Top 10 Pool Maintenance Tips

As we sit down to write this blog it is currently hovering around 75 degrees outside.  So, naturally, we are thinking about the swimming pool.  Many people believe that pool maintenance is a huge job but we know that with a few great tips, it doesn’t have to be that way.  While the pools that are in many people’s backyards can vary is size, depth, styling and many others, there is one great common truth to them all.  If you spend a little time then you will find that you have few issues and your job maintaining your pool will be that much easier!  Keep reading for Superior Co-Op HVAC’s top 10 pool maintenance tips!

1. Hand Skimming: probably the easiest way to clean the surface water of your pool.  If the surface water is cleaned then you can be assured that the rest of your water should be okay as well.  This is because you are not allowing for the break down of organic materials to settle on the bottom to change the chemistry and also have to flow through your pump assembly.  5 minutes of hand skimming can save you loads of work later.
2. Pool Vacuuming: important to do at least once per week so that you can remove any surface debris that has sunk to the bottom.  It is important to take into account the size, shape, and depth of your pool and choose the best available vacuum to do the job.  This is a very worthy investment!
3. Regular Filter Cleaning: if your pool filter is dirty you can be assured that the rest of your pool will be as well.  It is also important to note that if you have a dirty pool filter, you may be putting undue stress on your pool equipment causing it to wear out much faster than is necessary.  No matter the type of filter you have (cartridge, sand or diatomaceous earth) keeping this clean is an important step.
4. Call the Pros to Maintain Your Heater: this is not an area where you want to cut costs.  Simple maintenance and a good checkup will help us to help you keep your prized investment working for you.  There is nothing worse than trying to get your pool to the temperature that you desire only to have the pool heater quit working.  Something that is easily avoided with a quick call to us once when you open your pool and again when you are ready to close!
5. Keep Your Water Level Normal:  experiencing water loss in summer is normal.  Due to evaporation and normal wear and tear (not to mention those splashy kids) water will escape the pool.  Keeping the water level normal can go a very long way to keeping your pool well maintained all season long.
6. Keep an Eye on pH Levels: for the safety of your swimmers and to keep your sanitation chemicals working at optimal levels, keep that pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 and you should have no issues.
7. Don’t Forget Superchlorination: it is common to have a pool with ammonia and nitrogen.  When these organic compounds interact in the chlorine in the water, you will notice the typical pool smell.  If you regularly superchlorinate, you will find that you keep that smell to a minimum.
8. Identify and Repair Leaks: this should be done as you open your pool as well as when you close it.  This simple check will help you with many of the other tips as well.
9. Winterize Your Pool at the End of the Season: as summer wanes and winter comes back, it is important to properly winterize your pool.  This step can save you hundreds of dollars in the spring just by not allowing ice to form in your pool and not allowing it to potentially tear your pool liner.
10. Keep Your Pool Open: once you open for the summer, we suggest that you keep it open.  The more you fluctuate the chemicals between opening and closing the harder and time consuming your pool maintenance will become.  A solar cover will help keep your pool warm as well as help to stop major evaporation problems.

As you can see, maintaining your pool does not have to be a difficult task.  A little time each week and a few steps and you will have a pool that you can enjoy all sumer long!  If you are interested in adding one of our amazing cold climate pool heat pumps or if you need to schedule a time for us to come perform routine maintenance on your existing pool heater, contact us today!