Pool maintenance might seem straightforward when you read about it, but it’s much more involved than many pool owners know. This misconception can lead many people to attempt to manage their own pool maintenance and make major mistakes. Some of these mistakes may affect the water quality or equipment. Others can be dangerous to health and safety. Here are the top tips for preventing pool maintenance issues.
Avoid Adding Shock Directly to the Skimmer or Shocking During the Day
One critical mistake that pool owners make when they try to maintain their pool on their own is adding shock directly to the skimmer. When you do this, the shock could react with existing chlorine and create explosive gas in the plumbing. Shock needs to be diluted with water before being added to the pool. A less explosive mistake that is being made frequently is shocking the pool during the day. UV rays can get rid of free chlorine rapidly. Instead, make sure to shock your pool during the night or early morning.
Make Sure You’re Actively Cleaning Your Pool
Are you adhering to a pool cleaning schedule? While not every task needs to be taken care of daily, you should be skimming, vacuuming, scrubbing, emptying baskets, and maintaining filters regularly. Failing to stick to a schedule could lead to algae growth and other problems that make your pool temporarily unusable. A maintenance schedule is necessary for a pristine pool.
Run Your Pump for Enough Time
How long have you been running your pool pump daily? If you’re running your pool pump for less than eight hours a day, chances are that you’re creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Pool pumps need to be run for at least eight to 12 hours daily in order to maintain water clarity and cleanliness.
Don’t Ignore Falling Water Levels
Have you noticed that your pool’s water levels are lower than they should be? At first, you might not think that it’s too much of a problem. You might go about your maintenance activities as usual without addressing the falling water levels. If they get too low, however, it could end up having a major impact on your pool equipment since it will be essentially working on an empty pool. Keep water levels where they should be to keep your pool in working order.
Work With a Professional to Get the Maintenance Help You Need
The reality is that not all pool owners are equipped to deal with maintenance on their own. The best way to avoid maintenance issues and mistakes is to work with pool professionals who can take care of pool maintenance for you. Just tell them what level of support you need, and they’ll be there for you!
Handling pool maintenance on your own can lead to a slew of pool issues. Avoid these by paying attention to the common mistakes above and reaching out for help when you need support with pool upkeep. When you need pool maintenance services in Tallahassee, FL, contact Terry’s Pool Service.