Year-Round Relaxation: How to Maintain Your Pool Area 365 Days of the Year

It is a pure joy to have a pool or hot tub in your backyard to relax in at the end of a long day. However, owning a pool or hot tub means maintaining it. This can seem like a hassle for people with large pools. Some people pay to have it done, but you can keep your pool maintained with under an hour of work a week. Follow this easy guide to keeping your pool in good shape with minimum effort.

• Clear Up Large Debris

Check the filters for any large debris that has become stuck. Make sure to dispose of the debris somewhere far enough away so that it the wind can’t bring it back into the pool. Be sure to use the skimmer to get rid of any debris floating on the surface of the pool as well. It is a good idea to plant varieties of trees and plants that will not shed leaves and other debris that will get into the pool.

• Vacuum the Pool

The fastest and easiest way to get your pool super clean is to vacuum it. It only takes about 30 minutes or so to vacuum the standard-sized backyard pool. Make sure to do this once a week to keep your pool in tip-top shape. While you are vacuuming, it is a good time to scrub off any algae deposits that have appeared on the sides of the pool. A nylon brush will quickly remove any algae deposits that you find. Once you are done vacuuming, your pool will be ready to have its chemicals balanced.

• Chemical Maintenance

This is one of the most crucial parts of your pool maintenance routine. If the pool’s chemical balance is off, it can be harmful to swimmers’ health. You want the pH of the pool to be in the range of 7.4 to 7.6. The first step in your weekly chemical maintenance routine should be to check the pool’s pH. If it is out of balance, you can add muriatic acid to lower it and soda ash to raise it. Once you have the pH properly adjusted, then you also need to check the levels of chlorine and alkalinity in the pool. You can add chlorine or an alkalinity-increasing product if these levels are off. You need chlorine above 1 parts per million and alkalinity above 90 parts per million. While you are performing you weekly maintenance, make sure that the water is at the proper level. Any time that the water is less than halfway up the skimmer mouth, you need to fill it up.