There’s nothing quite so cool as owning an inground swimming pool, especially during those hot summer months. A pool is great for cooling off after a hard day’s work, but it’s even better for the kids since it will keep them entertained and feeling good all summer long. If you live in an area that’s always hot, a swimming pool is almost a necessity.
But swimming pools can also be expensive since they require constant maintenance, mechanical checkups, and fixes, plus numerous chemicals to keep the water crystal clear and the liner from forming algae or scales, which can lead to serious pool leaks. How serious is a pool leak? Extremely. When you consider you might not even be able to recognize a pool leak with the naked eye, you begin to understand the necessity of daily maintenance.
The professionals at Leak Science say if your inground pool is showing any signs of a leak, you need to call in a certified professional immediately. Even a leak the size of a pinhole can result in a leak of hundreds of gallons per day.
When it comes to healthy swimming pools, preventive maintenance is key. With that in mind, what are some serious tips for maintaining your inground swimming pool? According to a recent report by Redfin, from weekend barbeques to summer pool parties, inground swimming pools not only increase your property value, but they make you very happy on those super-hot summer days.
But there are a variety of ways a property owner must keep the pool safe, clean, and well-maintained. This means you need to develop a decent understanding of basic pool maintenance.
With that in mind, here are some serious tips for maintaining your inground swimming pool.
Keep a Regular Service Day Routine
It’s important to balance and test the pool water at least once per week to maintain the ideal pool water chemistry. By keeping alkalinity, pH, and chlorine consistently at near-perfect levels, you will be ensuring that your pool water, liner, and equipment are clean and healthy.
Keep Up with the Pool Equipment
By familiarizing yourself with the pool equipment, you keep it safe and clean. You can also avoid small problems ballooning into larger and more costly ones. If you’re not familiar with the mechanics involved with pool equipment, you can consult with a local pool professional. You should also pick the previous owner’s brain for anything you need to consistently watch out for.Also, find out if any warranties are still good.
Constantly Clean the Pool Filter
Much like a home’s AC filter, too many inground pool owners do not clean and replace their pool filters often enough. A bad filter can lead to the salt system not working properly, low chlorine and high algae levels, which can lead to liner leaks, heater not working, and more. The far less expensive method for maintaining your pool is to always check and replace your pool filter as required.
Keep the Water Circulated
Says Redfin, one of the most overlooked aspects of regular pool maintenance that greatly impacts water clarity is circulation. Keeping the water circulated is essential for a number of important reasons. It removes small debris that can cause liner leaks, it discourages algae growth on liner surfaces, and it forces water through the filter.
According to one pool professional, the optimum water circulation practice is to increase the run-time on the primary circulation pump during the summer months for about one hour per 10 degrees of increased air temperature. This goes for both a single and variable-speed pump.
Pool Water Must be Tested Consistently
Maybe it’s important to test the pool water regularly, but it’s imperative that you check it consistently. The best way to do this is to designate two days per week, such as a Monday and a Thursday, to test the water’s chemical composition. Make sure to write down your findings. If you need additional chemicals, make sure to acquire them immediately. By being consistent, you will make certain your pool is in tip-top shape when you need it most.
Be Consistent
Preventive maintenance is key when it comes to keeping your inground pool healthy and leak-free. You must set aside the necessary time every week to check on the pool’s baskets, water chemistry, liner integrity, mechanical equipment, and more. During the summer months, pools tend to get dirty very quickly, especially after a bad rainstorm.
Always give your pool the TLC it deserves.
