How to do DIY Swimming Pool Maintenance…
In this DIY pool tip, we’ll review two important basics every new pool owner should know about.
- Keeping your pool filter clean
- Adding pool chemicals
Ready?
Let’s go over swimming pool maintenance for beginners…
Swimming Pool Filter and Chemical Tips
#1. Clean Filters for a Clean Pool
Pool water filters are required for your swimming pool to stay clean; however, they can be the biggest pain when it comes to maintenance, and dirt will still get through the best filters. A simple strategy to improve filtration is to add a flocculant.
What is a Flocculant?
A flocculant is a chemical added to the pool water that causes flocculation, causing the dirt particles to coagulate into larger clusters that are large enough to be caught in the pool filter. This improves the filter’s efficiency for capturing smaller dirt particles so they don’t return to your pool water — thus, they aren’t getting in your eyes and mouth when you swim.
Cleaning Filters and Back Washing Sand Filters
Regular removal of filters for washing them is important to keep them from clogging, it also helps reduce the unwanted load on the pump system which will rack up higher electric bills, but more importantly, they keep pool water clean.
Some owners will clean filters weekly to keep the job smaller, and others will wait until it’s too late and then regret it – this also tends to lead to premature filter replacement. It’s your pool, so you decide what works best for you.
Sand Filters
My pool has a sand filter, so I backwash it weekly. I once saw my sand filter explode because the pressure got too high – a lesson learned for my procrastination, and it cost me $1000 to replace it.
Don’t forget to backwash your pool so your sand filter doesn’t bust!
#2. Managing Swimming Pool Chemicals
I’ve learned an easy way to lower the quantity of chlorine needed is to add a pool stabilizer. A stabilizer will also help keep your pool’s Ph level balanced.
Cyanuric Acid is a common type of pool water stabilizer and is added to new water or as required.
The amount of acid needed depends on the water volume of the swimming pool. You’ll need to test your chlorine levels to determine if your swimming pool needs a stabilizer.
Regular pool water testing and adding chlorine and stabilizers will save time and money in the long run, and it’s a fundamental part of good pool maintenance.
Caution! Be careful that you don’t add too much stabilizer though as it can have an adverse effect which requires setting up a pump to drain all the pool water and start over again. When testing, pay close attention to the charts so you only add the require amounts of pool chemicals.
Look:
I was a dummy when I started learning how to do swimming pool maintenance!
This tip covers BASIC maintenance I’ve learned for swimming pool filters and water treatment. It’s a high-level guide to get you started, so keep reading and learning…
Also, if you want deeper swimming pool care training to learn all about taking care of your pool water, please check out the Swimming Pool University Video Training.
Other Swimming Pool Maintenance Topics and Tips For Beginners
You’re not alone if you’re a new swimming pool owner and feel like a dummy. There are a lot of pool service and cleaning chores you’ll need to learn if you plan to do your pool maintenance.
For the longest time, I was frustrated and felt like a dummy trying to keep my pool clean so my family could use it. I’ve learned much over the years and want to share my experiences…
Here’s a list of some of the other beginner topics covered on Pool Service All:
- Green and Copper Pool Algae
- Alkaline and Phosphates
- Chlorine Tablets, Acid, and Other Chemicals
- Cleaning Pool Filter Cartridges
- Bugs and Metals
- Troubleshooting Pool Problems
- Pool Plumbing and Valve Leaks
- Pool Maintenance Tools of the Trade
- and other swimming pool tips and topics…
As a DIY (do-it-yourself), I know how long it takes me to maintain my 22,000-gallon Shasta Pool.
However, if you don’t have the time, or you’re concerned that you’re not properly taking care of your swimming pool, don’t risk damaging your investment or even the health of your family and friends. Get a professional pool service to handle your pool maintenance, kick back, and enjoy…
When In doubt, always check with your pool service professional.
Recommended for beginners: DIY Pool Supplies (Save Big!)
P.S.
Please share the Pool Maintenance for Dummies post with a friend.
P.P.S.
Your turn to offer swimming pool maintenance tips. Please comment!
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Nice
I think that swimming pools are so much fun! They are one of my favorite part s of summer. If I had one I would make sure to take really good care of it because it’s not fun when they break down. It’s the little things like cleaning the sand filter that really makes the difference!
Hey PSA – I run a swimming pool care business and totally understand what you mean. I don’t have much time to write my own blog but I enjoy reading yours because it helps me understand how customers feel about swimming pools.
Thank you for being so honest.
Jack
I was looking more info about pool cleaning, then I found your blog. It’s true that swimming is more enjoyable when the water is clean; after all, nobody wants to get sick while swimming in the pool, right? Knowing some common mistakes in maintaining it can help pool owners keep their pool better. Nate
This is some really good information about pool maintenance. My parents are thinking about getting a pool this summer. It is good to know that it would be smart to have a get the proper chemicals for their pool. That does seem like something they should get some professional help with.
Before you begin the pool cleaning, some of the common steps you can perform to make the pool condition lot better. Remove the debris and chemical as they can do lot of damage to the pool and see the water level.
Awesome tips, thanks for sharing this article.
Good tips for cleaning pools
Thanks for this advice for maintaining a swimming pool. I’m glad that you mentioned you should remove filters every now and them to wash them. I wonder if this could be a good time to check other components of a pool to make sure everything is working properly.
Useful blog. I am reading your blog and I get helpful information about swimming pool maintenance. Actually swimming pool maintenance is very important things. You do not take care of this thing are damage your pool. Thanks for such post and keep it up.
I’ve been looking for ways on how to clean my newly built pool. I never knew that regular removal of filters for washing them is necessary to keep them from clogging. You’ve stated great tips, but I guess is better if I’ll just look for a pool maintenace service that’ll help me out with my query.
Even though it’s good to know how to maintain the pool yourself when you got a pool for the first time. It would also be a good idea to have a pool service company help you with the maintenance in the start so you may not put the wrong amount of chemicals.
I had my swimming pool maintenance done by Church Pest & Pool Services for the first few times so I can get an idea on how much chemical to put and what procedures to follow. Now I can maintain the pool myself and only call them every few months in case a bigger maintenance is required.
I like the recommendation to check your pool’s chlorine levels before using chemicals. A lot of people don’t check their chlorine levels, and either apply a random quantity of chlorine or too much chemicals. That can mess up the pool’s composition, requiring drainage. Be cautious with your pool!
Check my pool services out here!:
fremontpoolcleaner.com
The problem I am having with my pool guy is that he shows up when ever. No certain time or day, not even a phone call. My husband takes naps and I have 2 dogs that go crazy when he shows up, he said it was impossible to schedule a day or time. Anyway I live in Lake Jovita & I am looking for new service.
Darlene Docherty
E-mail [email protected]
my pool water is clear, but is giving off a green hue. Our liner is a blue pattern and the greenish hue is mostly in the deep end while the shallow end doesn’t seem so bad. PH is good, alkalinity is good, bur chlorine is very high. There is nothing on the bottom that sweep up.
Thanks for pointing out that algae problems can be quite common for swimming pools. I plan to have a pool built in my property soon because I’d like to be able to swim without needing to go very far from home. I should probably make sure that I have budget allotted monthly for swimming pool services.
Any tips for salt water pools.???
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the question. Sorry, I don’t have any tips of my own about salt water pools but I’d suggest checking Youtube.
Thanks again,
Joe