Debris Management:
The first thing you will want to pay attention to is any debris that falls into the pool. Having a screened in enclosure helps to guard it against debris significantly, however you will find that leafs, pine needles and all sorts of foliage will find its way into your pool. Using a skimming net to clean the surface of the water is a task you will want to spot check on a semi-daily basis. If you notice leafs and things floating on the surface clean them out with your skim net as it builds up to a noticeable amount. This is necessary for the filter that circulates the water throughout the pool. If this filter gets too clogged, it will overwork the pump that circulates this water. Another step to make sure debris is out of the pool is to vacuum the bottom. Cleaning the surface as well as the foliage underneath the water is equally as important.
Temperature Management:
Many of us enjoy swimming in a comfortable temperature, warm enough to dive right in. Using solar heating is a great way to keep your pool at a temperature that will be enjoyable to swim in. Solar heating for the pool will pump the water through a series of tubing that will be installed on the roof of your home. This works quite well in summer months, but can make the water too hot. If this happens it will create a pool that will quickly build up with algae, so you will want to be careful to monitor the temperature of your water to prevent this build up from happening. There are additional ways to treat this so don’t be warded off from getting a solar heater, they are a great addition to have. For Orlando residents looking for solar heaters or other solar accessories I do recommend visiting bobheinmillersolar.com.
Check the pH:
Aside from vacuuming, skimming the surface, and temperature control, you will want to monitor the condition of your water. You will need to purchase testing kits for assessing the pH level and Alkalinity of your pool water. These are easy to use test kits with color-coded tabs that indicate pH levels that should ideally fall in-between 7.4 to 7.6. You will want to keep an Alkalinity in the range of 100 ppm to 150 ppm. Once you determine the quality of your pool water, you will need to add the appropriate amount of Chlorine and Muriatic Acid to treat the water to bring it to the ideal conditions for use. Be aware to stay out of your pool for a period of time after treating it, when adding Chlorine and Muriatic Acid to the pool it can be harmful to your skin. Also do not add the acid and Chlorine at the same time. Allow a 15 minute window in between applications so each chemical can dissolve in the water separately.
There is also a method known as shocking the pool when there is significant algae buildup. The way to treat this is to add a large amount of Chlorine to kill it off. Depending on the severity of the build up you may need to use a large amount.
One of the last and most simple things you can do is purchase a pool cover. This will help to keep out debris and foliage, but also help to regulate the temperature of your water in the colder winter months.
Nick Quinlan is an Orlando resident and avid swimmer who does everything he can to keep his pool up to date and only lets the best get anywhere near it for maintenance purposes – this way, his friends will have the perfect swimming experience. To learn more about Nick you can visit Google+.