Once you own a home swimming pool, maintenance becomes a required task. If owners make the mistake of not following the recommended cleaning and maintenance guidelines, they can become faced with numerous issues with their pool, including algae buildup, bacteria growth, and mosquito nests. Thankfully, when you stick to your recommended maintenance schedule, caring for your pool is relatively simple.
In the article below, we will review the most common swimming pool maintenance tasks as well the option of hiring a swimming pool service and the costs involved.
Basic Pool Maintenance Tasks
Skimming
The foundation for keeping your pool clean is skimming the pool. Skimmers are fine mesh baskets which are attached to a long pole and used to remove floating debris such as bugs and leaves. If you do not frequently skim your pool, these objects will sink to the bottom, clog drains or cause stains. Debris trapped in your pool can be damaging to your pool’s circulation system and cause components to fail quicker. Make sure to skim your pool at least every second day.
Brushing
To keep the walls of your pool clean, you will need to scrub with a brush. Different interiors will require different types of brushes. For a tile, vinyl or fibreglass wall, use a soft-bristled brush and for plaster lined concrete, use a stiff-bristled brush. You should brush your pool once a week to loosen particles before you vacuum.
Vacuuming
Even with frequently skimming your pool, you will still need to vacuum it to collect dirt and dust which can collect on the bottom of the pool. You can choose between an automatic vacuum which will run along the bottom of the pool or a manual one which is attached to a long pole so that you can navigate the cleaning. It is generally recommended to vacuum your pool once per week.
Filters
The filters in your pool will need to be removed and cleaned according to their recommended schedule. Make sure to consult your owners manual as each type of filter has different cleaning requirements and can only be cleaned with specialized chemicals.
Water Level
Pools can lose water from evaporation and bathers splashing while swimming. Each time that you skim your pool, check the water level to ensure that is is not below the skimmer basket intake tubes as this can cause damage to the pump. Refill with a garden hose to reach the correct level.
pH Level
The pH level of the water is what determines the alkalinity and acidity levels which need to be maintained at a certain level to keep your water clean and safe. There are simple home testing kits which can verify the levels and alert you to if more chemicals are needed. Shocking the pool (adding chlorine) is also required to manage ammonia and nitrogen build up.
Special Maintenance
Certain maintenance tasks are not required as frequently, although they generally are more time-consuming. Winterizing and closing your pool for a season, detecting and treating leaks as well as reopening your pool in the spring is the most common. These all require a thorough cleaning, draining of the water, new water added and the proper balancing of chemicals.
Swimming Pool Service
If you would rather not have to spend the time maintaining your pool, you can hire a swimming pool service to handle these tasks for you. The costs for pool maintenance service can vary on what the task is or the frequency in which you choose to have the service. Some individuals prefer to handle the regular maintenance tasks on their own but hire a swimming pool service to winterize and reopen their pool in the Spring. At Bona Vista, we have a number of packages and options available and will be happy to provide you with a quote for your needs. As an example of what to expect from costs, winterizing can start at $480 depending on the size of your pool.