Clean Your Pool Before Taking the Plunge

Water-based exercise can help people improve their health. People with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, have exhibited greater health gains after participating in hydrotherapy (exercising in warm water) than after participating in other activities. Water-based exercise can also enhance the usage of afflicted joints and reduce pain from osteoarthritis.  

Swimming has been shown to increase mood in both men and women. Swimming can help people with fibromyalgia reduce anxiety, and exercise treatment in warm water can help people with depression and enhance their mood. Water-based exercise can benefit pregnant women’s health and emotional wellness. Recreational activities, such as swimming, improve family relationships for parents of children with developmental difficulties.  

Swimming pools have many features depending on their use and construction. Some pools are divided into lanes for lap swimming and racing. Some of these pools are even Olympic-sized, while others are smaller or of a unique shape, and some have no lane markers.  

Regardless of the shape or usage of a pool, one thing all pools have in common is the need to be kept clean. The upkeep of a swimming pool can be difficult. If you have a newly built swimming pool and it is time to clean it, you may want to know how to do it properly. Swimming pool repair service specialists linked with Sirwiss offer suggestions on how to proceed with the task, so continue reading the content. 

Why is Pool Cleaning Important? 

You’re probably wondering why you need to scrub or clean your pool when you add chlorine or other sanitizing chemicals to the water. We have an answer to your reasonable inquiry. Consider it this way. When you shower, you use cleaning agents such as shampoo and soap. But will your tub always be clean? Obviously not.  

Shampoo and soap are designed to clean your skin, not your tile, porcelain, or fiberglass. After a while, you’ll notice buildup and disgusting soap scum. Then, because your tub and shower walls are damp most of the time, mold may begin to grow in there. If you don’t clean your tub on a regular basis, you’ll soon be bathing in a swamp. Isn’t that exciting? The same is true for your pool.  

Chlorine, bromine, and other chemicals help keep your water clean, and to some extent, they also help keep your pool’s walls, floor, and surrounding surfaces clean. However, chemicals will not keep leaves and bugs out of your water continuously, nor will they keep the walls and bottom of your pool clean. Therefore, aside from utilizing chlorine or other chemicals to keep your pool clean, regular, thorough pool cleaning is also essential. 

Pool Cleaning Equipment 

Before you begin, be certain that you have all of the necessary tools on hand. Having the right tools will make pool cleaning much easier. And if it’s easier, you’ll be more likely to do it more frequently. And if you’re a new pool owner, you might not be sure what pool cleaning equipment you’ll need. First, go over your existing tools. After that, make a list of what’s lacking from your collection. The following are the most crucial tools you should have in your arsenal. 

1. Telescopic Pole 

2. Skimmer Net 

3. Pool Brush 

4. Manual Pool Vacuum 

5. Robotic Pool Cleaner 

6. Suction-Side Pool Cleaner 

7. Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner 

8. Pool Filter 

How to Clean Your Own Pool 

It takes quite a bit of work to clean a swimming pool and you’ll have to monitor chemical levels at least three times a week. However, it’s worth it to keep your pool clean and safe for use. 

1. Skimming and Brushing 

Make sure you have the right supplies. Take stock of your resources before you start skimming and brushing your pool. Check that you have everything you need. 

1. Make sure you have a telescopic pole. Most pool cleaning supplies attach to a pole like this, so having one available helps. You might want to wipe off the pole to make sure it’s free of any debris that could potentially contaminate your pool. 

2. A leaf skimmer or skimmer net is an important pool cleaning tool. This is a small net that attaches to the telescopic pole. You use this net to remove leaves and other debris from the surface of your pool. As with any pool cleaning supplies, leaf skimmers should be cleaned out on occasion. 

3. Make sure you have a pool brush. This is a device used to clean the sides, ladders, and steps of your pool. Brushes can get clogged with dust and debris, so make sure you rinse out your pool brush periodically to make sure it’s clean. 

Skim the surface of your pool with a leaf skimmer. The first step in cleaning your pool is to use the leaf skimmer to skim the surface. In fact, this should be done on a daily basis to ensure that the pool’s surface is clean. 

4. This is a fairly easy part of pool maintenance. Attach the skimmer to the telescopic pole to start. 

5. Then, use the net to pull out debris. Things like leaves and other foliage frequently fall into outdoor pools. Simply use the net skimmer to remove any foreign bodies you see at the top of the pool’s water 

Brush the sides of the pool and the pool ladder. After you’ve removed any noticeable dirt, use a pool brush to clean the pool’s sides as well as any stairs or ladders. This should be done once a week. Simply attach the pool brush to the telescopic pole and run it over these areas, exerting force as needed to remove filth. Keep in mind that locations with poor water circulation, such as stairs, may want further attention. 

2. Vacuuming 

Select a pool vacuum. The flooring of the swimming pool is cleaned with a pool vacuum. Pool vacuums come in a variety of styles, based on your pool and personal requirements. 

1. Automatic cleaners come in three types. Suction side cleaners are not recommended as they often accidentally suck up things like rocks, which can harm your pool’s filtration system. Pressure side cleaners attach to the return jet of your pool filtration system and work by removing debris from filtered water and placing it in a removable bag. However, this requires you to do some filtering. The most efficient automatic cleaner is a robotic pool cleaner. These self-contained units drive around the bottom of your pool collecting debris. The only downside, however, is they tend to be costly. 

2. You can save money by using a manual pool vacuum. You can buy a manual pool vacuum online. You may also find one for sale at a hardware shop. The vacuum should come with instructions for set up and use 

Set up the vacuum. Set up your pool vacuum after you’ve chosen the ideal pool vacuum for your needs. Most pool vacuums come with instructions for use. 

1. For a manual vacuum, there is usually a way to attach the vacuum’s head to the telescopic pole. You will then slowly lower the vacuum head into the pool. 

2. You should then feed the hose into the pool. Make sure all air is removed from the hose before attaching it to the pump that comes with most manual vacuum cleaners. Attaching the pump to the hose before the air has been expelled can harm the pump. 

3. Vacuums should always come with the individual manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re unsure how to use a vacuum pump, there is usually a number on the box you can call with questions. 

Vacuum the pool as you would a carpet. Pool vacuums are used in the same way as carpet vacuums are. Move the vacuum across the pool’s bottom, remaining longer in spots that need to seem dirtier. Some automated cleaners eliminate the need for you to vacuum. 

Vacuum at least once a week. A lot of garbage and bacteria accumulate on the bottom of a pool. To keep your pool clean and safe to use, vacuum it at least once a week. 

• A pool vacuum helps improve the color of your pool water 

3. Managing Chemicals 

Test the water’s pH levels. Chemicals in the pool water help keep the pool clean. Variables such as temperature and volume of use can impact chemical concentrations. The pH levels should be checked at least three times every week to make sure the pool is usable. 

1. You can buy a pH tester at a local supermarket. You should read reviews of different brands before making a purchasing decision to make sure you’re buying a reliable brand. Once you’ve selected a tester, use this to check your pool’s pH levels. 

2. The pH level of your pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Depending on how users chlorinate their pool, they may find that attempting to maintain a pool with a low pH will bring frequent acid additions. If you’re frequently adding acid, you may want to look into lowering your Total Alkalinity (TA) level. If your pH is outside these ranges, use either a pH reducer or a pH increaser. Apply as needed to bring your pool to the proper pH range. 

Check the pool filter. Keep the area around your pool filter clean and clear of trash and filth. Check for trash, grime, and other buildup in the pool filter. Remove anything that has clogged the filter. 

Add sanitizing chlorine tablets. Sanitizing tablets are tables that may be purchased online or at numerous hardware stores. They breakdown slowly and release chlorine to eliminate any microorganisms in your pool water. You should add tablets to your pool as directed on the label. You should also add tablets to your skimmer, floater, or automatic feeder to ensure that this equipment is bacteria free. 

Consider pool shock. A pool shock is a sort of pool cleaner that targets germs found in hair, urine, and perspiration. Consider utilizing pool shock if you’re concerned about contamination. 

4. Cleaning a Very Dirty Pool 

Remove debris with a leaf net. Cleaning a pool where the water has become green from dirt will require more time and work. The pool’s surface is probably already coated with scum. Do not use a skimmer to clean the pool because it will only stir up scum and make the water look much dirtier. If there is debris on the pool’s surface, use a leaf net to collect it. You can get a leaf net at any hardware shop if you don’t have one. 

Adjust the chemicals. Unwanted microorganisms are likely to flourish in a dirty pool. The pool water must be made safe for use by adjusting the chemical levels. 

1. Test and adjust the water’s pH levels. When attempting to clear a green pool you may find it best to first lower your pH to 7.2. This is in part because many pH tests are invalid at high chlorine levels. It will probably take a few days, and some trial and error with pH reducer and increaser, to get the pH levels to a safe level. In addition to pH reducer and increaser, you may need to add alkalinity increaser to the pool. Again, a good pH level is between 7.2 and 7.8. However, when cleaning a green pool, it’s best to lower the pH to 7.2. 

2. You need to shock the pool. It is likely very dirty and might need quite a few gallons of pool shock, administered over the course of a few days, to get the water back to safe levels for swimming. Start off by adding 3 or 4 gallons. See if the pool water has, by morning, changed to cloudy white, light green, or clear. If it has not, add another 3 to 4 gallons and wait 24 hours. Repeat this process until the water has changed color. 

Run the filter for 24 hours a day. For a few days, you’ll need to leave the pool filter on continuously. This process involves removing debris and microorganisms that have accumulated in the pool. 

1. Make sure to backwash your filter 3 to 4 times a day. Green water can clog a filter and cause damage. It is normal to have to backwash the filter frequently while cleaning a very dirty pool. 

2. Have your filtration system checked if the pool does not clear up in 4 to 5 days. This could be a sign something is wrong with your filtration system. You may have to get it replaced before you can safely use the pool again 

Clean the pool floor. Clean the pool floor with your pool vacuum once the water is clear and the pH levels are stable. A thorough vacuuming of the pool floor is likely to be required due to the accumulation of material there. If you are not familiar with cleaning pools, and there is a lot of dirt on the floor, you may want to hire a professional. It’s important to keep your pool free of debris to prevent clogs in the pipes and unnecessary wear on the filtration system. 

Now that you know the ins and outs of pool maintenance, you can stock up on the supplies you’ll need to keep your pool sparkling and ready for your next dip.