Pool Maintenance Tips

 

After basking in the sun and cooling off in your refreshing pool, maintenance of said pool can sometimes be an afterthought. Neglecting to maintain your pool properly can result in thousands of dollars worth of damages and eventually cause your pool to be uninhabitable. To avoid ultimate disaster and continued enjoyment of your pool, check out our tips to keep your pool under control.

Remove Dirt and Debris
This might seem obvious but keeping the surface of your pool free from dirt and other organic material can help prevent infection. Pool vacuums are designed to swiftly remove debris, algae, and other harmful compounds. It is recommended to vacuum your pool at least once a week. Simultaneously, brush your pool’s walls, steps, and floors, along with skimming the water’s surface. 

Water Your Pool
That’s right; you need to maintain your pool’s water level by adding water appropriately. If your pool has lower or higher levels than it should, the chemical water balance can easily get thrown off. Moreover, pool filters and water skimmers have a hard time keeping the water clean if the water level is not adequate.

Keep the Chlorine in Check
The magic number for keeping your pool properly sanitized is to add three parts per million (ppm) of chlorine to the water. If you smell chlorine or have itchy eyes, use an at-home test to ensure your levels aren’t too high. Chlorine is the most reliable solution for cleaning pools, as it won’t corrode plumbing or discolor pools like salt water. 

Clean the Filter
Depending on how often you use your pool, cleaning your filter is absolutely necessary for pristine water. Signs it is time to clean your filter include unusual odor, clogged drain, or an inefficient hose cleaner. Cartridge filters will need to be cleaned every four- to six months. Diatomaceous earth filters should be completely disassembled and cleaned every three- to six months. Sand filters should be replaced every three- to five years.

Create a Schedule
We’ve established that pools need to be maintained regularly, but it’s still easy to forget. Ensure you remember when it’s time to clean your pool by setting notifications on your phone or writing reminders in your calendar. The cleaning intensity depends on each pool, but once you figure out exactly what your pool needs, try to be as consistent as possible. 

Pound Pool Plastering services residential and commercial pools in applying a wide variety of pool plaster finishes and complete renovations. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, and Marcite – and a great selection of tile choices and coping stones. Owner Dale Pound personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest quality is delivered. Call or email us for a free estimate. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Pool Chemical Safety

 

Pool chemicals are essential to the overall functionality of the pool. While crystal-clear, clean swimming pools can be the center of summer fun. Many people focus on wearing sunscreen and keeping everyone safe while swimming, but generally, the chemicals present in pools are an afterthought.

We all know that pool chemicals are meant to disinfect the water, eliminating germs and bacteria. When used properly, chemicals such as chlorine and bromine keep people safe from potential health issues.

Storing, handling, and measuring the pool compounds is vital to maintaining the overall water ecosystem. These chemicals can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. Maintaining basic safety rules when using pool chemicals and equipment is imperative.

Chlorine works in tandem with the pH level (acidity) in pool water to create a safe environment for swimming. However, dirt, organic materials such as skin cells or fecal matter, leaves, sunlight, etc., can quickly lower chlorine levels.

If the pool water has a high pH level, it is more difficult for chlorine to reduce bacteria. The human body has a pH ranging from 7.2 to 7.8; if the pool water is outside this range, swimmers will have irritated skin, red, bloodshot eyes, ear pain, labored breathing, congestion, and/or cough.

According to the CDC, a balanced pool should not smell like chlorine. When a pool smells like a strong chemical, it is usually due to a chemical reaction of sweat, urine, dirt, skin cells, or fecal matter with chlorinated water. To prevent chloramines, ensure swimmers do not have diarrhea, take bathroom breaks, shower before and after getting in the pool, wear a swim cap, and do not urinate in the water.

Below are some tips for safely handling pool chemicals:

·         Add chemicals carefully and handle with care

·         Store chemicals in an extremely dry area away from other chemicals

·         Do not mix chemicals from different years

·         Only use approved pool chemicals

·         Never mix your own chemicals

 

Pound Pool Plastering services residential and commercial pools in applying a wide variety of pool plaster finishes and complete renovations. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, and Marcite – and a great selection of tile choices and coping stones. Owner Dale Pound personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest quality is delivered. Call or email us for a free estimate.

 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

 

Difference Between Saltwater and Chlorine Pools

 

When pool owners build or remodel their pool, they take into account size, shape, activities, accessories, and, more recently, water sanitation methods. The two most common types of pool sanitation are saltwater and chlorine. But what are the differences, and why do they matter? Continue reading to find out.

Differences Between Saltwater and Chlorine

In saltwater pools, electrolysis creates chlorine thanks to pool-grade salt and a chlorine generator. The salty water passes through two electrically-charged plates, which then get converted to chlorine. While chlorine is still present in the pool, the process is different from a traditional chlorine pool. 

On the other hand, chlorine pools must be tested and balanced with liquid or tablet chlorine. Additionally, pH and calcium hardness must be sampled and adjusted. 

While each pool is sanitized with the same chemical, saltwater pools create fewer chloramines, contributing to the smell and feel of traditional chlorine pools.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that chloramines are “a type of combined chlorine that form in water,” and emit gas into the surrounding air, causing that typical chlorine smell, eye redness, and lung irritation. 

Saltwater Benefits

• Everyday operations are cheaper, with an entire summer supply of salt costing roughly $25, and chlorine $165 
• Gentler on skin, eyes, hair, swimsuits, etc.
• No chemical chlorine smell

Chlorine Benefits

• More cost-effective to keep a traditional chlorine pool if it already exists; converting to saltwater can cost roughly $3,000 or more
• The pool still works on cold days

Saltwater Disadvantages

• Pool can deteriorate more quickly due to salt erosion 
• Salt chlorine generators require more maintenance
• Chlorine will not be produced in water cooler than 60 degrees

Chlorine Disadvantages

• Chlorine can cause dry skin, red eyes, bleached swimwear, irritated noses, throat, lungs, etc.
• Chemicals cost more than pool grade salt
• Chloramines produce a strong chemical smell, especially indoors

Pound Pool Plastering offers free estimates and complete pool renovations. Dale Pound, owner, personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest quality is delivered. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, Marcite, Bead Crete, tile choices, coping stones, etc. We are pool renovation experts - contact us today at 248-476-4544 or poundpool@sbcglobal.net.

 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com