Having a swimming pool is beneficial, not only to your health and fitness but also to your home. It helps to enhance the beauty of your home, as well as the market value. With a swimming pool in your home, you can enjoy a cool relaxation on any sunny day. Regardless of the heat from the sun, your pool will assure you of a cool feeling that also prevents your skin from any damage.
One thing that most swimming pool specialists advise homeowners is to take good care of their pools. There are various pool parts that need regular maintenance. You will be needed to replace these parts whenever they break down in any way. Other than that, you must carry out proper maintenance of your pool to ensure that it stays in good condition for the longest time possible.
Nonetheless, a lot of homeowners tend to make some common mistakes when handling the pool maintenance. Such mistakes end up ruining the condition of the pool.
Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid when handling your pool:
1. Do not add pool dye when the filter is installed
Usually, people tend to add pool dye to change the look of their swimming pool. This is common in pool parties. So when you want to add pool dye for your next pool party, you will be needed to remove the cartridge filter or the grids in advance. Ensure that you have replaced the cartridge filter with the diatomaceous earth {DE} filter. The DE filter should be installed on recirculation before adding the pool dye. After the party, run the pool normally and reinstall the filter elements as soon as the dye clears.
2. Do not use the wrong algaecide
Algaecides is not a strange scientific chemical that you’ve never seen or heard. On the contrary, it is what is commonly known as Yellow Treat. This chemical is used to treat the algae in your swimming pool. It helps to keep the water in the pool safe by killing the algae present. Also, some algaecides will dilute the high concentration of chlorine in the water. Normally, it is advised to have high levels of chlorine in the water before you apply the algaecide. Suppose you had low chlorine levels in the water, the algaecides will weaken the concentration further. This reaction will then turn the pool water green. When applying the algaecide, ensure that the pool pump runs continuously to allow the chemical to reach every corner. Also, make sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer or talk to your pool expert to guide you on how to apply the Yellow Treat.
3. Do not ignore treating your pool
A lot of homeowners make the mistake of assuming that their pool is perfect and that it needs no necessary treatment. On the contrary, you need to treat your pool before and after it is used {usually if many people use it}. The rule of the land states that the amount/level of chlorine concentration in your pool will be determined by the number of people using it. If a lot of people are using the pool, you must ensure that the chlorine level is high to balance the chemicals. After a pool party, proper chemicals must be added to your pool to keep your water well treated. Ideally, you can just add chlorine to the pool water and clean the filter a day after the pool party. This will help to prevent algae from growing in the pool. You can also use a chlorine floater or an inline chlorinator if your pool needs a high concentration of chlorine. These two options help to maintain the chlorine level in the pool at all times.
4. Keep your pets away from the pool
Your dog or cat might be your best friend, but you might want to keep them away from your pool at some point. However, you can let them play with you in the pool, only if you are committed to cleaning the pool immediately after the pet swims. One option is to net the pool to get rid of the pet’s fur. You can also clean the filter and the skimmer basket to prevent the hair from getting back to the pool. If you let the pet swim and you don’t clean the pool, it might clog the impeller or promote the development of excessive debris.
5. Do not turn off the pump
Well, you might choose to turn off your pool pump to help reduce your electricity bills. While this might seem like a money saver, it might cost you more money in the long run. When the pump is off, it means that your filter and skimmer might not function as expected. This will mean that chlorine and other chemicals might not be evenly distributed to the swimming pool. Your swimming pool will naturally keep itself clean as the pump runs. This also helps to prevent the growth of algae and keep your pool safe enough. Other than that, the pump helps to maintain low temperatures in the pool. This then helps to retain the blue color of the pool. Remember that high pool temperatures can lead to the growth of algae. At some point, you might need to schedule the running of your pool pump. For instance, you can run the pump for around seven to eight hours during summer. Nonetheless, if the pool has had an uncontrollable algae growth for a while, it is recommended to run the pump for 24 hours every day. This is also suitable if you want to restore your pool color from green to blue.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance is needed to enhance the overall condition of your pool. Keep in mind that the pool water can be swallowed when swimming, so enough chlorine is needed to ensure it is safe. Remember that the filter is one of the most vital elements of the pool. Therefore, make sure it is in perfect condition at all times. If it is worn out, replace it as soon as possible. Above all, talk to your pool expert for further assistance on how to maintain your swimming pool.