Having a pool in your backyard is one of the best ways to cool off when it starts getting hot.
However, if you ignore your pool maintenance routine, it can cost you time, money, and sanity to deal with.
What’s important is knowing the common pool care mistakes and learning how to avoid them to make your pool clean and safe throughout the season.
Here are 5 common pool maintenance mistakes to avoid:
1. Leaving the pool uncovered when not in use
Not covering your pool makes sense when you want to regularly swim, or have frequent pool parties.
Many pool owners do it purposely so that their pool can look pretty under the sun.
Whatever may be the reason, but there is a disadvantage to doing this. Apart from the sun radiations, your pool gets exposed to many unnecessary elements. This includes containments, algae, pollen, pets, debris, leaves, and many unwanted invaders.
Quick fix
Place a pool cover or pool enclosure, when you’re not using your pool.
There are many benefits attached with a covered pool including
- Locks the heat
- Lowers water evaporation
- Safeguards children and pets
- Prevents debris from falling into the water.
2. Not regularly testing your pool water
Many pool owners think that regular pool water testing is not that necessary.
Ignoring the testing of the pool can disturb the alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, and sanitizer levels of water.
This may cost you more chemical supplies and exert more pressure on your pool equipment.
Quick fix
Test your pool water regularly or weekly to avoid the small issues before they grow into major disasters. Use test strips to test the water.
In case there is a change in chemical levels, adjust with alkalinity increaser and other necessary chemicals to bring everything back in balance.
3. Adding chemicals directly to pool
Adding chemicals directly is the least efficient way to shock the swimming pool.
Most chemicals such as chlorine are in the powder form. While adding directly, these chemicals can settle down at the bottom of your pool making them less effective.
Besides, the chemicals can even cause permanent staining.
Quick fix
Before shocking your pool, dissolve chemicals into a warm water bucket. A dissolved solution can disperse evenly and mix faster into your swimming pool.
This also prevents any type of stains.
Also, avoid adding chlorine during the day as the sun eats up chlorine fast. Add chlorine at night.
Pro tip: Add chemicals to water, and not water to chemicals.
4. Not brushing your pool
One of the most common mistakes is not brushing your pool. The outcomes can range from harmless, to ruthless.
With the passage of time, the floor and walls of the pool develop slime, filth, and stains due to impurities latching on the sides.
Besides, the dirty water will also boost the growth of algae in the pool. This can make the tiles highly calcified and soon, it will become impossible for you to enjoy a healthy swim.
Quick fix
Brush your pool to clean the sides, floor, stairs, and corners, and along the waterline and behind ladders. This will also keep all the invaders at bay.
Regular cleaning will save a lot of money and time.
5. Running your pool filter pump for fewer hours
Pool filter pump keeps your water clean and healthy for swimming.
Running it for fewer hours may look like a cost-effective routine, but this can cost you more. For instance; if algae grows in your pool because of this practice, you’ll have to run the filter pump until the pool is completely cleaned again.
Quick fix
Run your filter pump for at least 8 hours a day to keep your pool clean and well-maintained.
Pro Tip: To save electricity bills, run your filter at night during non-peak hours
Conclusion
Every mistake provides new learning to improve your pool maintenance game. How you respond to these mistakes is what really matters.
Take some time to learn from these mistakes and avoid them to ensure your pool remains clean and safe for swimming.
Happy Swimming!
